Latest news with #Salisbury
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Arrest made after fire destroyed historic World War One hangar days after developers were granted permission to build new homes... on the condition they restore it
An arrest has been made after a devastating fire destroyed a Grade II listed aircraft hangar just days after permission was given to build hundreds of homes on the site. The historic building that was built by First World War German prisoners of war was on the verge of being restored following years of neglect. A government planning inspector controversially approved plans for more than 300 homes to be built at the Old Sarum airfield near Salisbury but only on condition Hangar 3 be conserved. However, there is now nothing left of the aircraft hangar that was on Historic England's At Risk Register after a blaze ripped through the site on April 17. Police and fire investigators launched a probe into the fire with fears it was started deliberately. Although the derelict building had been fenced off, photos taken last week show gaps in it for anyone to access the site. Wiltshire Police has since confirmed to MailOnline that a person has been arrested on suspicion of arson and has been released on bail while their investigations continue, The airfield is operated by Old Sarum Airfield Ltd, which gained planning permission to build 315 homes and commercial and leisure facilities on the site at the beginning April after a drawn-out planning inquiry, which began in February. However, following the blaze, last week Wiltshire Council launched a legal challenge against the Planning Inspectorate's decision to allow an appeal and grant planning permission for residential development at Old Sarum Airfield. The state of the hangar formed a key part of the debate at the inquiry, along with the proposed development's impact on heritage assets. When the government's Planning Inspectorate published its decision to grant planning consent on April 9, it said a condition of the approval was that only 160 of the dwellings could be occupied until repairs were made to Hangar 3. The outline application was originally refused by the Wiltshire Council Strategic Planning Committee in August 2024 but following an appeal an independent Planning granted planning permission. Councillor Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, said: 'The basis on which the decision was made to allow the appeal has altered following the devastating fire to the listed aircraft hangar at Old Sarum Airfield. 'Following legal advice, in light of the unusual circumstances surrounding this case, we have taken the decision to launch a legal challenge against the Planning Inspector's decision. 'We have applied to the court to challenge the decision and we now wait to hear whether it will proceed to hearing.' A spokesperson for the Save Old Sarum action group, which had been campaigning to stop the plans for housing and for the restoration of Hangar 3, said: 'Great news that Wiltshire Council has launched a legal challenge to the Planning Inspector's ruling over 300+ houses applied to be built on the airfield site. 'This unique Conservation Area & heritage site will be irreversibly damaged if the houses go ahead' Old Sarum's rich history Old Sarum Airfield was commissioned in 1917 and is one of three surviving First World War grass strip airfields of its type in Britain. The Belfast Truss hangar was built in 1917 by German Prisoners of War and Chinese labourers. Hangar 3 was a double span hangar and was about 180ft wide and 120ft long. Old Sarum airfield seen from above at the end of the First World War Old Sarum Airfield was a Training Depot Station in the First World War and from 1920 it was the School of Army Co-Operation. It also played a crucial role in the Second World War, serving as a training base for soldiers to learn to fly following the large losses of RAF pilots in the Battle of Britain. Westland Lysanders, Tomahawk's and Taylorcraft Austers were based at the airfield in the Second World War where the Air Observation Post squadrons were formed in May 1940. The historic aerodrome was granted conservation status by English Heritage in 2007 because of its complete set of First World War buildings and hangars. Following the blaze, the director of the airfield said he was 'devastated' by the fire and hopes he hasn't 'lost' the building. Grenville Hodge, the director of Old Sarum airfield, said: 'We're absolutely devastated. We just won the planning appeal and the first thing we were going to do was repair the hangar. It's just unbelievable. Hopefully, we haven't lost it.' Old Sarum is one of the oldest operational airfields in the country and has three Grade II listed hangars which were built in 1917. During the Second World War it was a training base for army soldiers to learn to fly following large RAF losses in the Battle of Britain. Aviation historian Andy Saunders said: 'The airfield is an important part of Britain's aviation heritage and its use dates back to the First World War with a unique group of original buildings of the period. 'Unfortunately, at least one of the wooden trussed hangars was allowed to fall into disrepair in recent years.' The Belfast Truss Hangar 3 was put on Historic England's At Risk Register in 2020, but in January 2024 Storm Isha caused a partial collapse. At the time campaigners described it as 'demolition through dereliction of duty'. But in granting the housing scheme permission, planning inspector Nick Fagen said he did not accept there had been deliberate neglect of the hangar by the owners. He added that no advantage had been gained by them in neglecting Hangar 3 as much more rebuilding work is now required than before it fell into a state of disrepair. The fire service said Hangar 3 had partially collapsed and the flames had engulfed the adjacent restaurant and café. Paul McAuliffe, 54, and wife Svonne, 52, were sat outside the site at around 6.30pm when the fire started. Mrs McAuliffe said: 'One of us looked over and noticed grey smoke coming out of the hangar. 'He (Paul) ran into the kitchen and told them the hangar was on fire. We've all had to stand and watch the hangar. 'The roof collapsed, and then the doors came down, and brought the brick walls down with it. It's absolutely gutting.' Eloise Moore and her sister were alerted to the fire after their parents spotted the smoke. 'I'm so devastated about the recent blaze that happened at the hangar earlier today', she said. 'This was my first time experiencing a fire on this scale, and as a teenager, it will definitely stay with me for a long time. 'We were absolutely flabbergasted and was eager to keep up to date with every news story and followed the live found on your page. 'I hope the fire can be resolved and I have tons of gratitude towards the police and fire departments.' Wiltshire Police has since confirmed to MailOnline that a person has been arrested on suspicion of arson and has been released on bail while their investigations continue In a statement released after the blaze, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service warned local residents: 'Due to the potential for unknown chemicals, please stay inside and keep your windows closed to avoid the smoke.' A spokesman for Wiltshire Police at the time said: 'We are appealing for witnesses following a large fire at Old Sarum airfield. 'The fire broke out just after 6pm in partially derelict wartime hangars. The two hangars, as well as the Hangar 3 cafe were destroyed, and the building used by another business was badly damaged. 'An investigation is now underway into the cause of the fire and we would like to speak to anyone who was in the area shortly before the fire started. 'If you can help with our inquiries, please contact us on 101 quoting log number 262 of yesterday's date (17/04). You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 'We would also ask that members of the public keep their distance from the affected area while police and fire continue with the investigation.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Anthelia stays unbeaten with National Stakes success
The daughter of Supremacy – who was purchased by Middleham Park Racing after her debut win at Bath before following up at Salisbury earlier this month – was patiently ridden against the rail and Lewis Edmunds judged it nicely as the pair got up to win by a length at 25-1. First Legion chased her down on the outside, but left his challenge too late, with Rod Millman's filly holding on to take Listed honours. Millman said: 'We paid £6,000 for her and we had her earmarked for a good order. We were going to buy one for £50,000, this is one we picked out, but we weren't sure she was worth £50,000 so we bought something else and then she was walking round the ring and I saw there were no bids on her so I picked her up for £6,000. She's probably worth a bit more now. 'We didn't want to get in a duel for the front because we wanted to finish off and to be honest the main thing today was to get some black type. As it's turned out she's better than we thought she was. 'She will still be learning the game and when she won at Bath she came from the pack and then it was only a four-runner race last time and this will be the first time she has been roughed up in a race. 'It's very exciting for the future really and we haven't had one finish at the top of our gallops like her for a long time.' Despite beating some well-entered opposition and being handed a quote of 14-1 for the Queen Mary Stakes by Coral, connections seem keen to avoid Royal Ascot, with Newmarket's Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes on June 26 seen as a suitable alternative. The trainer's son and assistant James Millman added: 'The aim was to miss Royal Ascot and go to the Empress and it is very tough taking on the best at Royal Ascot and sometimes you don't have a horse afterwards. 'The Super Sprint was her main aim, but she's a bit ahead of that now. She wants six furlongs and that's why she didn't go to the Marygate at York, as five would have been a bit sharp for her there.'
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Anthelia stays unbeaten with National Stakes success
The daughter of Supremacy – who was purchased by Middleham Park Racing after her debut win at Bath before following up at Salisbury earlier this month – was patiently ridden against the rail and Lewis Edmunds judged it nicely as the pair got up to win by a length at 25-1. First Legion chased her down on the outside, but left his challenge too late, with Rod Millman's filly holding on to take Listed honours. Millman said: 'We paid £6,000 for her and we had her earmarked for a good order. We were going to buy one for £50,000, this is one we picked out, but we weren't sure she was worth £50,000 so we bought something else and then she was walking round the ring and I saw there were no bids on her so I picked her up for £6,000. She's probably worth a bit more now. 'We didn't want to get in a duel for the front because we wanted to finish off and to be honest the main thing today was to get some black type. As it's turned out she's better than we thought she was. 'She will still be learning the game and when she won at Bath she came from the pack and then it was only a four-runner race last time and this will be the first time she has been roughed up in a race. 'It's very exciting for the future really and we haven't had one finish at the top of our gallops like her for a long time.' Despite beating some well-entered opposition and being handed a quote of 14-1 for the Queen Mary Stakes by Coral, connections seem keen to avoid Royal Ascot, with Newmarket's Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes on June 26 seen as a suitable alternative. The trainer's son and assistant James Millman added: 'The aim was to miss Royal Ascot and go to the Empress and it is very tough taking on the best at Royal Ascot and sometimes you don't have a horse afterwards. 'The Super Sprint was her main aim, but she's a bit ahead of that now. She wants six furlongs and that's why she didn't go to the Marygate at York, as five would have been a bit sharp for her there.'
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Anthelia stays unbeaten with National Stakes success
The daughter of Supremacy – who was purchased by Middleham Park Racing after her debut win at Bath before following up at Salisbury earlier this month – was patiently ridden against the rail and Lewis Edmunds judged it nicely as the pair got up to win by a length at 25-1. First Legion chased her down on the outside, but left his challenge too late, with Rod Millman's filly holding on to take Listed honours. Millman said: 'We paid £6,000 for her and we had her earmarked for a good order. We were going to buy one for £50,000, this is one we picked out, but we weren't sure she was worth £50,000 so we bought something else and then she was walking round the ring and I saw there were no bids on her so I picked her up for £6,000. She's probably worth a bit more now. 'We didn't want to get in a duel for the front because we wanted to finish off and to be honest the main thing today was to get some black type. As it's turned out she's better than we thought she was. 'She will still be learning the game and when she won at Bath she came from the pack and then it was only a four-runner race last time and this will be the first time she has been roughed up in a race. 'It's very exciting for the future really and we haven't had one finish at the top of our gallops like her for a long time.' Despite beating some well-entered opposition and being handed a quote of 14-1 for the Queen Mary Stakes by Coral, connections seem keen to avoid Royal Ascot, with Newmarket's Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes on June 26 seen as a suitable alternative. The trainer's son and assistant James Millman added: 'The aim was to miss Royal Ascot and go to the Empress and it is very tough taking on the best at Royal Ascot and sometimes you don't have a horse afterwards. 'The Super Sprint was her main aim, but she's a bit ahead of that now. She wants six furlongs and that's why she didn't go to the Marygate at York, as five would have been a bit sharp for her there.'
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Anthelia stays unbeaten with National Stakes success
The daughter of Supremacy – who was purchased by Middleham Park Racing after her debut win at Bath before following up at Salisbury earlier this month – was patiently ridden against the rail and Lewis Edmunds judged it nicely as the pair got up to win by a length at 25-1. First Legion chased her down on the outside, but left his challenge too late, with Rod Millman's filly holding on to take Listed honours. Millman said: 'We paid £6,000 for her and we had her earmarked for a good order. We were going to buy one for £50,000, this is one we picked out, but we weren't sure she was worth £50,000 so we bought something else and then she was walking round the ring and I saw there were no bids on her so I picked her up for £6,000. She's probably worth a bit more now. 'We didn't want to get in a duel for the front because we wanted to finish off and to be honest the main thing today was to get some black type. As it's turned out she's better than we thought she was. 'She will still be learning the game and when she won at Bath she came from the pack and then it was only a four-runner race last time and this will be the first time she has been roughed up in a race. 'It's very exciting for the future really and we haven't had one finish at the top of our gallops like her for a long time.' Despite beating some well-entered opposition and being handed a quote of 14-1 for the Queen Mary Stakes by Coral, connections seem keen to avoid Royal Ascot, with Newmarket's Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes on June 26 seen as a suitable alternative. The trainer's son and assistant James Millman added: 'The aim was to miss Royal Ascot and go to the Empress and it is very tough taking on the best at Royal Ascot and sometimes you don't have a horse afterwards. 'The Super Sprint was her main aim, but she's a bit ahead of that now. She wants six furlongs and that's why she didn't go to the Marygate at York, as five would have been a bit sharp for her there.'
