Oakington Buildings Saved

7 March 2011, 06:00 | Updated: 9 March 2011, 15:15

Some historic buildings at a former air force base in Oakington have been saved from demolition.

It's after around 1,200 people signed a petition calling for the structures to be preserved.

Builders developing the new town of Northstowe, which will be on the site of the old RAF Oakington base, wanted to demolish them to make way for new buildings.

However the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which owns the site, has agreed that some of the buildings should be preserved.

This means that any development must take place around some of the old buildings, which include:

  • The Officer's Mess
  • The Guard House
  • The Admin Block & open space next to it
  • Shelter next to the Admin Block
  • The Water Tower
  • A number of "Pill-boxes"
  • The existing road layout and trees around the barracks.

A spokesperson for the agency said: "By selectively retaining some key buildings at Oakington Barracks, we can hopefully create a heritage core for the future benefit of all.

We are pleased to have been able to reach what we believe to be an appropriate compromise that does not unduly impact the public purse."

Campaign for Oakington organiser Andrew Papworth, who helped organise the petition with the Longstanton and District Heritage Society (LDHS), said: "This is a great victory.

Huge numbers of people from around the world signed this petition because they care about Oakington and its rich, significant heritage.

It is important to protect these buildings, not just for current villagers, but future residents of Northstowe, because this will create a sense of history about where they live.

I am pleased that the HCA has found a solution and is on the side of the people."