WWII RAF control tower where The First of the Few was filmed is converted into rental home

The Royal Air Force control tower, used during World War II, will be converted into an Airbnb-style rental building.

RAF Ibsley, in Ringwood, Hampshire, was made famous as the setting for the 1941 patriotic film The First of the Few, starring Leslie Howard and David Niven.

During World War II, it served as a control tower for Spitfires and a base for American Air Force bombers deployed in Europe.

However, after the war, the historic air base fell into disrepair and its graffiti-covered walls were left to crumble and gather dust.

Local people have long campaigned to save the tower but have seen their efforts blocked by government adviser Natural England.

But enthusiasts have received a surge in bids to revive the landmark after the consultant withdrew his objection following extensive ecological reviews.

This means the derelict building could be turned into a holiday home, with an application approved by the local New Forest District Council.

A group called The Landmark Trust has vowed to restore RAF Ibsley to its ‘1940s glory’ and plans to turn it into a self-catering Airbnb that can sleep up to eight guests.

RAF Ibsley, in Ringwood, Hampshire, was made famous as the setting for the 1941 patriotic film The First of the Few, starring Leslie Howard and David Niven (pictured left)

However, since the end of the war, its graffiti-covered walls have fallen into disrepair and disrepair.

The income generated is planned to be used in the maintenance of the building for future generations.

A spokesman for the Landmark Trust said: ‘Airmen flew from their airstrips into hostile skies to defend Britain with great courage and at great personal cost, and many never returned.

‘Leslie Howard and David Niven shot their seminal war film The First of the Few here.

‘Today the Sentry Office is a unique surviving example of the 518/40 design, which incorporated the innovative use of structural concrete and retained the fine concrete viewing balcony.’

He added: ‘1940s layout and wartime decorative schemes will be respected.

‘Online translation will be offered to share the story and history of the Surveillance Office, as well as special events with free public access.’

The Landmark Trust wrote to New Forest District Council about the tower in 2024 in response to Natural England’s objection.

The letter said: ‘We fully understand Natural England’s reluctance to see any change to this special area and their responsibility to ensure it is protected.

‘However, we are also deeply aware of the extraordinary historical significance of the watchdog and the very real risk of losing the building and everything it represents if action is not taken.

‘The sentry office was built at a time when Britain stood almost alone against Nazi Germany and is a monument to the enormous human sacrifice of the Second World War.

‘Many young men flew sorties from here during the Battle of Britain, some never returned and remained on active service throughout the war.

A number of Spitfire fighter squadrons were based at RAF Bisley between 1941 and 1944.

A group called The Landmark Trust has vowed to restore RAF Ibsley to its ‘1940s glory’ and plans to turn it into a self-catering Airbnb that can sleep up to eight guests

‘Public sentiment in favor of the plan is very strong.

‘Given all this, and the possibility of it collapsing or collapsing soon unless action is taken, we decided that we had to be persistent with our plans.’

The charity said its campaign to save the building triggered 130 letters of support and raised nearly £800,000 in public donations in that period.

RAF Ibsley and the airfield opened in 1941 and closed in 1947. It was used mainly by RAF aircraft participating in raids during the Second World War.