25 January 2024
One of three Grade II listed hangars built at Old Sarum Airfield during WWI collapsed during this week’s Storm Isha.
Hangar 3, built by prisoners of war during WW1, is now a pile of rubble following the collapse. The airfield dates back to 1917 and one of just three surviving WWI grass airfields.
Sarah Champion from the ‘Save Old Sarum’ campaign, said, “It is absolutely devastating. The hangar was on Historic England’s ‘at risk’ register in November 2020 so they have been aware of this and we have been trying to highlight it constantly. It is incredibly disappointing that the hangar has fallen down through neglect.”
Anger as aircraft hangar built by German POWs collapses in Storm Isha https://t.co/e7xOo7ZctU via @MailOnline Thank you to @MailOnline and BNPS for covering the story of Old Sarum & Hangar 3. Now we hope for change from the heritage authorities to ensure this building can survive
— SOS – Save Old Sarum (@SaveOldSarum) January 24, 2024
Old Sarum Airfield has been at the centre of a major planning row for years. The owner wants to build houses on part of the site. Several planning schemes have been put forward and rejected by Wiltshire County Council and others.
The airfield closed to normal General Aviation operations in 2019 and has been used by a skydiving company since.
Salisbury City Council said in a statement, “The collapse of Hangar 3 at Old Sarum Airfield is a disaster long predicted by those who have been campaigning to save this Grade II listed wartime survivor.
“Our heritage protection systems have failed abjectly in their duty to ensure its preservation despite years of pleading by aviation enthusiasts.
“Legal action must be taken to salvage and restore it.”
