Abandoned Battle of Britain control tower to become a home for holidaymakers … and six species of bat | Hampshire
A unique RAF surveillance office that has fallen into disrepair for decades will be transformed into a clever hideaway to be shared by holidaymakers and the bats who already use it.
Landmark FoundationA company that saves at-risk buildings has been given permission to transform a rundown property in Hampshire into a four-bedroom holiday resort with a roof terrace.
An important condition is that the old teleprinter and forecasting chambers be preserved as roosts for the bats that have lived there for years, apparently unmindful of the rotting and damp concrete.
British and US personnel during World War II Works at RAF Ibsley In the New Forest, Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft are refueling there, ready to fly over the Channel to protect ships and intercept enemy aircraft.
Actors Leslie Howard and David Niven cast spells on the base to make The First of the Few, a war film aimed at boosting British morale.
Hastily but tastefully built at the beginning of the war, the base’s watch office, or control tower, is considered a fine example of its kind.
According to a report The building, by New Forest council planning officer Jessica Cooke, is “of significant local interest from an architectural, artistic and historical perspective” and is “of high conservation importance to bats and supports six species of roosting bats”.
He added: “The building has been derelict for some time and is in a very poor state of repair, with decay clearly visible.”
Natural England, the government’s environmental adviser, initially objected to the project due to the potential impact on bats, but the Landmark Trust assured it would make sure there would still be room for bats.
The majority of the building will be light and airy, which will be good for holidaymakers, but part will be reserved for bats and kept suitably dark. There are also plans to convert a wartime blast shelter into another bat roost.
Airport Research GroupThe charity supported the plans, saying a sympathetic conversion would be “a lasting testament to the air and ground crews who fought so bravely at Ibsley”.
Councilors allowed the conversion with a number of conditions, including ensuring bats were not harmed.
The Landmark Trust raised almost £700,000 to transform the building. He said his proposals would save the building from collapse or demolition and represented “a fine balance between preserving the heritage of the building and preserving the delicate ecology of the surrounding woodland and wetlands”.
The conservation charity said work would begin at the site in Ibsley later this year. A spokesman said: “This is a real landmark and a demonstration that working closely with all parties can enable historic recovery and restoration in a manner that fully respects significant ecological and environmental constraints.”
He added: “Many young men flew sorties from here during the Battle of Britain, some never returning. Public feeling in favor of the plan is very strong.”
Foundation historian Caroline Stanford said the building had a modernist feel and it was surprising it had survived so long.
