Visitors centre at Greenham control tower draws step closer

PLANS to transform Greenham control tower into a visitors centre took a step forward today after listed building consent was granted.

Greenham Parish Council purchased the Grade-II listed building, used during the Cold War, in January with the intent to provide a community facility, complete with exhibition and interpretation space to tell the history of Greenham Common and the control tower plus a café, public toilets and offices.
It was bought from West Berkshire Council for a six figure sum.
However, due to its listed status, work to create the new facility cannot begin until a number of conditions have been met, including that no work can start on the exterior of the building, its floors, entrance or existing signage, until full details have been submitted to - and approved by - West Berkshire Council as the local planning authority.
Greenham Parish Council chairman Tony Forward said of the news: “I’m absolutely delighted that this major step has been taken.
“There’s still more work to do to satisfy West Berkshire Council that what we plan to do will be appropriate but the principle of going ahead with our plan for the listed building has been agreed.
“We are much closer now than being able to start.”