WWII RAF control tower where The First of the Few was filmed is to be converted into rental home
A Royal Air Force control tower used during World War Two is to be converted into an Airbnb-style rental.
Situated in Ringwood, Hampshire, RAF Ibsley became famous as the scene of the patriotic 1941 movie The First of the Few starring Leslie Howard and David Niven.
During World War Two, it served as a control tower for Spitfires and as a base for American Air Force bombers deployed in Europe.
However after the war the historic air base fell into disrepair, with its graffiti-covered walls left to crumble and gather dust.
Locals campaigning to save the tower routinely saw their efforts blocked by government adviser Natural England.
But enthusiasts have now received a major boost in their bid to revive the landmark after the adviser withdrew its objection following extensive ecology reviews.
It means that the derelict building can be converted into a holiday let, with an application to do so already approved by the local New Forest District Council.
The Landmark Trust has vowed to restore RAF Ibsley to ‘its 1940s glory’, and plan to renovate it into a self-catering Airbnb with room for eight guests.
RAF Ibsley control tower in Ringwood, Hampshire, served as a base for US Air Force bombers during World War Two
Situated in Ringwood, Hampshire, RAF Ibsley became famous as the scene of the patriotic 1941 movie The First of the Few starring Leslie Howard and David Niven (pictured left)
But since the end of the war it has fallen into a state of disrepair, with its graffiti-covered walls crumbling
All income is set to be used to maintain the building for future generations.
A spokesperson for the Landmark Trust said: ‘From its runways airmen flew out into hostile skies to defend Britain with great courage and at huge personal cost, many never to return.
‘It was here that Leslie Howard and David Niven made the seminal war film The First of the Few.
‘Today the Watch Office is a unique survivor of its 518/40 design, which included innovative use of structural concrete, and in its retention, just, of a slender concrete viewing balcony.’
It added: ‘The 1940s layout and wartime decorative schemes will be respected.
‘Special events, offering free public access, will be offered, alongside online interpretation, to share the story of the Watch Office and its history.’
The Landmark Trust wrote to New Forest District Council in 2024 about the tower in response to the objection lodged by Natural England.
The letter said: ‘We entirely understand Natural England’s reluctance to see any change on this special site and their responsibilities for ensuring its protection.
‘However, we are also deeply conscious of the outstanding historical importance of the watch office and the very high risk that if action is not taken the building and all it represents will be lost.
‘The watch office was erected at a time when Britain stood almost alone against Nazi Germany and is a monument to the immense human sacrifice of the Second World War.
‘Many young men flew sorties from here during the Battle of Britain, some never to return, and remained in active service throughout the war.
A series of Spitfire fighter squadrons were stationed at RAF Ibsley between 1941 and 1944
A group called The Landmark Trust have vowed to restore RAF Ibsley to ‘its 1940s glory’, and plan to renovate it into a self-catering Airbnb with room for eight guests
‘The strength of public feeling in favour of the scheme is very strong.
‘Given all this, and the likelihood it will soon collapse or be demolished if action is not taken, we have decided that we must persevere with our plans.’
The Trust says its campaign to save the building sparked 130 letters of support and generated around £800,000 in public donations at that time.
RAF Ibsley and its airfield was opened in 1941 and closed in 1947. It was primarily used by RAF planes involved in raids during WWII.