Bid to save RAF Ibsley World War Two watch office

The concrete and brick structure would be turned into holiday accommodation

A bid to restore a derelict RAF watch office could be the only chance to save a piece of World War Two history, heritage campaigners have said.

The Landmark Trust has submitted plans to renovate the building at the site of RAF Ibsley, near Ringwood in Hampshire, to be used as holiday accommodation.

It was one of 12 airfields in the New Forest in the run up to D-Day in 1944.

The RAF Ibsley Airfield Heritage Trust has backed the plans, which include staging public open days.

Between 1941 and 1944 Ibsley was used by both the RAF and the US Air Force.

It was later used as a location for the seminal war film, The First of the Few, staring Leslie Howard and David Niven.

The watch office is one of the last remaining such wartime structures in the New Forest, although the Landmark Trust said it now stood "decayed, crumbling and inaccessible".

"Landmark plans to restore this resonant building, honour its remarkable legacy and sensitively enable access through self-catering holidays, online and physical information about its history and regular, free public open days and events," it said.

The Watch Office was a vital link in Britain's air defences during World War Two

The building conservation charity has more than 200 restored buildings across the UK.

Its restoration plan would see the watch office "sensitively adapted for up to eight holidaying guests" and said the income would pay for its future maintenance.

The trust said it had raised 70% of the funds for the project and needed another £900,000.

Specialist contractors would be required to conserve the reinforced concrete and replicate as many original features as possible, it added.

A planning application is due to be considered by New Forest District Council.

There have been efforts to save the building in the past, all of which came to nothing.

The RAF Ibsley Airfield Heritage Trust said: "Landmark's plans are the best, and possibly the only chance the building may ever get for a new life with opportunities for people to visit it and enjoy its unique setting."

The Landmark Trust is hosting a public drop-in event at Ringwood Meeting House & History Centre at 15:00 GMT on Wednesday to discuss restoration plans.

The structure is almost totally derelict

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