THE MoD has come under fire for the poor state of repair of buildings at the country’s best preserved pre-Second World War bomber airfield.
A report by Cherwell District Council accused the Ministry of Defence of neglect over the state of buildings at former RAF Bicester, off Buckingham Road, Caversfield.
It raised concerns that routine maintenance and basic repair of the property was inadequate and led to 19 listed buildings being designated as “at risk” by English Heritage.
The site, which has been used by the military since the First World War, is split into two sections – 23 acres of offices and former accommodation blocks, called the domestic site, and the airfield, called the technical site.
In July, the domestic site, most recently used by the MoD’s Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, was put up for sale as part of a nationwide disposal programme of surplus MoD land.
The council report said properties had not been kept in a “reasonable state of repair” and at risk buildings had not been protected.
And the council accused the MoD of delaying regular condition surveys and not producing conservation reports.
Cherwell also alleged the MoD was “cherry picking” by selling off the most financially viable parts of the site.
Michael Gibbard, Cherwell’s executive member for planning and housing, said: “We’re now looking for a commitment from Defence Estates to work with us and other stakeholders to come to a speedy conclusion that will be the right decisions for the town, the right decisions for users like the gliding club, and the right decisions to preserve the site's heritage.”
Martin Jones, chairman of Bomber Command Heritage, wants to create a national heritage centre or museum at the site.
He said: “It is time for the MoD to do the right thing with Bicester, and allow it to become the heritage centre/museum that we have all been working so hard for over the last 10 years, and something that the people of Bicester and the nation can be proud of.”
An MoD spokesman denied “cherry picking” and said it had improved the buildings. He hoped one would soon be removed from the “at risk” category.
He said: “The site is currently being marketed, with the benefit of a draft planning statement from Cherwell District Council, and will be sold this financial year.
“The airfield was transferred to Defence Estates by the RAF in two separate parcels and Defence Estates, in order to prevent cherry picking of the more valuable part, retained the buildings until the remainder of the airfield was vacated by the RAF.”
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