Options considered for iconic Cold War relic

West Berkshire Council is considering what the future holds for the control tower on Greenham Common

WEST Berkshire Council is considering what the future holds for the control tower on Greenham Common - the iconic Cold War relic which dominates the skyline.

The council produced an internal report to look at the future of the tower and listed the three options to be considered - keep it for the council's own use, sell it on the open market or demolish it.

The tower, which has been altered over the years, was built in 1951/52 and comprises of 10 rooms spread over 3 floors, it contains 3261 square feet and is approximately 30 meters tall.

It is located next to the main common car park at Bury's Bank Road and affords spectacular views over Greenham and Crookham commons.

The control tower was originally used to direct air traffic at the US airbase, which housed part of the country's nuclear strike force on the common.

The tower forms part of the land that was sold to the council by Greenham Common Trust, after the trust had bought the land from the Ministry of Defence in 1997.

The MOD sold the 842-acre air base to the trust for £7m, 700-acres, including the control tower, was then sold to the Council for the nominal amount of £1.

Most of that land was then returned to common land, but the control tower was not, and it is still privately owned by West Berkshire Council.

The author of the internal report, asset strategy officer for the council , Amanda Dennis, told Newburytoday.co.uk: “We just thought this building is sitting there and we need to think about what we can do about it.

“It is just at the discussion stage.”

West Berkshire Council spokeswoman, Peta Stoddart-Crompton, said: “The council is in the early stages of looking at options for beneficial usage of the Control Tower.

“At present, it is not possible to offer a more detailed statement.”

The chairman of Greenham Parish Council, Tony Forward, said: “It would be a shame if they knocked it down.

“It is an immensely useful resource with many possible purposes and it has become an accepted part of Greenham's skyline.

“It could be turned into a hostel with restaurant attached for walkers on the common, or even as a cold war museum.

“The views across the common from the viewing gallery are spectacular and it would be a shame to lose that.”

Councillor Julian Swift-Hook (Lib Dem, Greenham) said: “The control tower is a local icon, highly visible across Greenham Common, and is a constant reminder of the Common's recent Cold War history.

“The control tower has huge education and tourist potential, and I was very disappointed some eight years ago when we had to give up plans for a Visitor Centre.

“Once again the Council is facing severe financial constraints, so I do hope the current problems don't push the Council into demolishing it.”