Hooton Memories: Battle of the hangars at Hooton Park

By Chester Chronicle on May 19, 09 12:37 PM in 1900-1999

AN MP is urging two groups at loggerheads over historic war hangars to look to the future and resolve their differences.

Hooton Park Trust (HPT) was formed in 2000 to oversee and manage the restoration of the war hangars, now Grade II listed, on the former RAF airfield at Hooton Park, near Vauxhall Motors.

The park is home to three Belfast Truss hangars, built in 1917.

HPT and 610 Squadron Association, containing Battle of Britain veterans, are in conflict over efforts made to repair or restore the hangars and 610 has since been expelled from the site for failing to 'comply with site rules'.

Ellesmere Port and Neston Labour MP Andrew Miller said: "It is very sad to hear of the dispute.

"I helped broker the deal between Hooton Park Trust and Vauxhall to rescue the hangars in the first instance.

"I am becoming increasingly nervous that if something isn't done then things will grind to a halt.

"It is sad the two groups are having difficulty working together and it would be a pity if 610 is not involved given its historical relevance.

"I feel it has come to a point where everyone needs to stop focusing on what might or might not have happened in the past and focus on what can be achieved in the future or the whole site will fall apart.

"I feel we have a window of two to three years where something structural has to be done or we run the risk of losing the lot."

He added: "The listing status is for the whole complex, not just the buildings involved.

"If work isn't done and the listing is lost then many avenues of financial support are also lost.

"I would urge all parties to find a way of working together.

"If people or groups are excluded from the site it won't bode well with the Lottery Commission.

"Both groups need each other.

"I strongly believe 610 need to be involved and possibly other organisations who have a historic role.

"The longer the dispute goes on the more difficult it will be to convince external funders to back them."

Squadron's complaints

THE 610 (County of Chester) Squadron was one of the most effective fighter squadrons in the Second World War and earned glory in the Battle of Britain.

The association campaigned with others to against Vauxhall's proposals to demolish the hangars - action, it says, led to the formation of the Hooton Park Trust (HPT) in 2000.

The 610 Squadron Association claims poor management of the former military airfield has led to one of the three hangars collapsing beyond repair.

Chairman Michael Lewis said: "Nothing has been done apart from cosmetic work. There has been nine years of incompetence."

The association is bitter at being expelled from the park, which its members class as the squadron home, and feels part of the reason was to make space for the trust to make money from rental.

It says it has completed all the relevant paperwork HPT says it is missing.

Mr Lewis said: "Our compliance with health and safety is absolute.

"We want to talk out our differences and have asked the HTP repeatedly for meetings to discuss our differences but have received no response.

"The items left in the hangar are no longer our responsibility.

"Our aim is for the welfare and preservation of the buildings on site."

Mr Lewis said: "As the largest organisation on site (with the most members and an international membership) at Hooton Park, and the only organisation with historic relevance to the site, 610 Squadron Association feels it should have representation on the board of the HPT.

"Two or more members of the other organisations on site are invited to board meetings of the HPT, 610 Squadron Association is not."

Trust 'forced to take action'

HOOTON Park Trust (HPT) was formed in 2000 to oversee and manage the restoration of the war hangars on the former RAF airfield.

The HPT says it needs space occupied by 610 Squadron Association in hangar one while repair work is carried out.

Trust board member Graham Sparkes said: "We have had £122,000 of funding to restore hangar two approved by English Heritage and work will hopefully begin on June 8.

"We need the space in hangar one, currently in use by 610, to house items from hangar two while repair work is carried out."

The trust, a non-profit organisation, cites 'a lack of compliance with site rules relating to health and safety and regulations' as to the reason for 610's expulsion, including failing to remove items from hangar one.

It says it has been forced to act so it can move forward after several frustrating years of funding problems.

A press release from the trust board states: "The suggestion that 610 have been asked to leave to allow increased storage is incorrect.

"Accommodation has been offered by HPT to 610 Squadron subject to operational, site requirements and resolving of problems."

It refutes the claim it wants the space to rent out to make money.

Trust director Graham Sparkes said: "We have offered 610 board representation in the last six months and members have also attended board meetings to observe this year.

"We want 610 on site and are open to negotiate their return once they have cleared the current space they occupy and provided all the relevant paperwork."

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