Plans to restore Old Sarum Airfield First World War hangar approved

Hangar Three at Old Sarum Airfield has been deteriorating for years but sections of the Grade-II* listed building collapsed due to high winds in January.

Around two weeks before the storm, on January 4, landowner Grenville Hodge applied for permission to repair and refurbish the hangar.

Planning documents show that Mr Hodge intended to spend £3m on the restoration project before the storm battered the site, further destroying parts of the Belfast trusses.

Read more: ​Storm Isha: Grade II listed Hangar damaged at Old Sarum

Wiltshire Council granted Mr Hodge listed building consent to carry out the works with conditions on Monday, March 11.

Grenville Hodge owns Old Sarum Airfield. (Image: Contributed)

A statement attached to the council's decision notice made it clear that the consent does not depend on the approval of another ongoing application to build 315 houses on Old Sarum Airfield.

This means restoration work can begin immediately, should Mr Hodge wish to do so.

Tim Ratcliffe, who wrote Hangar Three's condition report, recommended Mr Hodge carries out an asbestos survey in the hangar and annexes and removes all collapsed parts of roof and other debris within the first six months of planning approval.

Any demolition work involving single-storey structures, such as the Skies Cafe, must be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Parts of Hangar Three have collapsed. (Image: Contributed)

Details of the hangar's new standing seam roof, new doors and associated fixed panels should also be submitted for approval to ensure the listed building's character is preserved.

Immediate action would 'go a long way' in restoring lost confidence

Councillor Nick Baker, chairman of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council, said: "Speaking personally, I am encouraged to see the granting of this planning permission as it shows that it is possible to restore this important part of our heritage."

Cllr Baker hopes the council's "significant" clarification about works not being constrained by any other planning applications will allow the owners to take immediate action.

Councillor Nick Baker. (Image: Nick Baker)

"If local residents were to see this happening it would go a long way to restoring the loss of confidence many people feel about the care for the airfield before consideration is given to its long term future," he added.

Hangar Three is in the poorest condition of the area's First World War structures and was placed on Historic England's Risk Register in November 2020. Mr Hodge hopes the refurbishment will remove it from this list.

Grenville Hodge was approached for comment on the approval.

To view the planning application (PL/2024/00102) in full visit development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z00001CG9DMAA1/pl202400102?tabset-8903c=2.