The people behind a company that plans to tear down and replace a Second World War airfield control tower have said they have “done everything possible” to save it.
Falcon Tower Crane Services' plans to demolish the former United States Army Air Force (USAAF) control tower at RAF Shipdham and replace it with a replica have been approved by Breckland Council.
But Robena Brown, chairwoman of Shipdham History Group, said her reaction to losing the tower was "pure sadness".
The company bought the site at Airfield Industrial Estate in 2019, and immediately applied for planning permission to build offices, and to refurbish the control tower.
A spokesperson for Falcon said: “Towards the end of 2022, the company moved its focus onto refurbishing the existing tower, however, after extensive structural analysis it was determined that the structure could not be saved.
“After three decades of attempting to acquire the site and the work completed in the 90s to preserve it, the disappointment within the company was overwhelming.
“During the structural analysis, it was evident that debris was falling from the tower, and the site was unsafe.
“Falcon has done everything possible within our power to make it so, however, we are committed to rebuilding the site to its former glory and to give the community of Shipdham and beyond a place to learn more about the people who had a connection, with the airfield.”
The spokesman said the ground floor would become a museum, and plans to install a sculpture of a B-24 Liberator at the site, along with a memorial plaque.
The heavy bombers were stationed at Shipdham during the war.
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Ms Brown said: "Everyone who had family living in the area during World War II has roots at the control tower and airfield.
“We agree that if the buildings on the airfield are not refurbished, they will fall into the ground."
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