A unique Second World War ‘catapult pit’ has been exposed for potentially the final time before the land is redeveloped.  

The pit at Harwell Campus, which was RAF Harwell during the war, once housed a catapult that was intended to launch 30-tonne bomber planes into the sky. 

The catapult never launched any planes but is unique in its design.

While the mechanism no longer exists, the 30m wide and three metres deep bowl it was kept in does, and this was preserved underground after the war ended.

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It has now been exposed for the first time in 21 years, although the moment is bittersweet as the site is set for redevelopment by vaccine manufacturer Moderna for its new technology centre.

Steve Hale, who has been campaigning to save the land with the group ‘Save RAF Harwell heritage site’, said it could be the last chance to ever see the historical monument.

He said: “There’s a big board around it so you can’t really get very close to it. I want to be able to get the interest (campaign) group to go and have a look at it.

“If they don’t shift the factory then it will be covered up forever. This could be the only chance to see it ever again.

“I guess it’s the next best thing if it's going to be covered up that you can actually see where the amazing engineering project was.”

Mr Hale, who is an engineer, believed the site was being dug up to record its historical features accurately.

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He said: “As an engineer I do find it mindboggling, and I just feel amazed at the people of the time who created this amazing project in a desperate time.

“The machinery isn’t there but the site is there and I hoped over time there would have been some project that would have honoured it.

“It’s unique. You won’t find this anywhere in the world, which is why we have tried to save it.”

Mr Hale has appealed against the latest decision to approve the Moderna factory at a Vale of White Horse District Council meeting earlier this month.

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He said: “As the saying goes, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If we fail, we have tried very hard.

“It may be a question of accepting a poor substitute rather than being able to preserve something for future generations.”

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A spokeswoman for Harwell Campus said: “We are immensely proud of Harwell’s heritage.

“As an RAF base Harwell’s role in D-Day was significant and since 1946 the campus has been one of the world’s leading science and innovation campuses, home to a string of world-first breakthroughs.

“We recognise the centrality of honouring our heritage alongside continuing to grow the campus and welcome the valuable comments from our neighbours.

“The campus has recently launched new heritage trails, installed artwork visualising a plane taking off, improved landscaping around memorials and refurbished former RAF buildings.

“We will continue to work closely with stakeholders such as the Royal British Legion to develop more ways to celebrate our heritage.”