Tuesday 8 November 2016

Abandoned RAF Hospital

'Scariest place I've ever been' Teens creep around freaky abandoned RAF hospital

Lincolnshire newspaper continues to show irresponsible access of a secure, dilapidated and potentially dangerous ex-MoD site.

http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/scariest-place-i-ve-ever-been-teens-creep-around-freaky-abandoned-raf-hospital/story-29872230-detail/story.html

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous24 June 2016 at 05:13
    You have a beautiful village and I absolutely applaud you for keeping it so nice.I realise the old hospital site and damaged hall is a bit of a blot on the local landscape and it high time that the listed hall was restored and the area tidied up.However,when private companies are involved this very rarely happens quickly.However, I do note that Leda are doing "bits and bobs" here and there,such as the barrier,hopefully that will stop large scale flytipping.However it will not stop pedestrians or urban explorers.
    However, I would point out that "urban exploring" as it is so loosely called is not an illegal act,unless damage is caused etc.It is simply civil trespass.
    As a former serviceman who has had a long connection with the site,I returned a couple of years ago to take some photographs for old times sake.I was horrified at the state of the old place,I simply walked onto the site through massive holes in the fence,had a leisurely stroll and left with many photographic memories captured.The only vandals or miscreants we encountered were a group of lads about 10/12 years old smashing up asbestos sheets.Due to their age we assumed them to be fairly local.We avoided them to avoid abuse and asbestos dust.Therefore in summary,many people who visit the site do so for memories sake,accessing an open site is not illegal but civil trespass which is not a criminal act.They can simply be asked to leave.You should be more concerned by the relatively "local" people who fly tip rubbish,let their dogs mess at will and the aforementioned feral "local"children who seem hellbent on contracting asbestosis.Visitors to your lovely village do not tend to do these things and respect it,as we did.Thank you for reading this.Sqn/ldr/Dr A.Wilson (Retd),Former RAF Nocton Hospital.

    I AM JUST REPOSTING THIS ARTICLE I FOUND FROM JUNE 2016,TO ILLUSTRATE THAT NOT EVERYONE,VISITS THE VILLAGE TO DESTROY,PILLAGE AND ACT IRRESPONSIBLY.SOME PEOPLE HAVE EITHER A CONNECTION OR A KEEN INTEREST IN HISTORY.

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  2. Thanks for reposting your comment. You are quite correct, it is civil trespass, and there are close circuit cameras monitoring unauthorised access. The two lads concerned were not 'local' and clearly knew they shouldn't be on site and were aware of the dangers of falling masonry. The site is fully enclosed by fencing - gaps are caused by occasional visitors using wire cutters to gain access and are repaired often. I have responded for clarification on the matter.

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  3. I would think "everyone" including the two lads concerned,the dog walkers,the "local" kids and even the people who fly tip on the site and steal the metal,know they should NOT be on the site,mainly due to the obvious dangers of such things as asbestos and falling masonry.Unfortunately from my experience and observations,such derelict sites attract a variety of people,MOST have NO intent of malice,whereas others do simply to make money or cause damage.
    I cannot comment on the "current" state of the fencing,however when we went about 2 years ago there were gaping holes to simply walk through,had there not been then we would have simply taken photos from "outside" the perimeter as I am far too old to go climbing fences and I most certainly do not carry wire cutters for such a job,although I dont doubt that there are some that do.

    This saga regarding the old hall and the hospital site has gone on for far too long and I do hope you all get it settled soon.

    I have also responded for clarification on the matter as I was not trying to be funny or sarcastic.I may not live or work there any longer,but I have a natural affinity for the old place, it is a lovely village.

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  4. You are quite correct with your comment.

    This site has not always been secure and indeed for many years the gates were wide open, allowing easy access to the old RAF site. Furthermore, it was very easy to enter Nocton Hall and cellars too, despite the many dangers of the unstable building.

    Since the property was sold by the MoD, the local Council have been quite impotent at protecting the deteriorating Grade II Listed heritage property. Even before the disastrous fire that gutted Nocton Hall, there were reports of many architectural items being ripped out and stolen. The roof had started to leak and water ingress was starting to cause damage to the internals, as it wasn't being maintained. This was the time when the Hall could have been saved for a minimal cost. I believe the absence of meaningful enforcement action by the Council was mainly down to the risk of losing public funds, thus it resulted in doing the bare minimum to save the building and RAF site from further denigration. It was only through continued pressure from the Parish Council and local people that anything was done at all.

    As a protection measure, the Council finally assisted by incorporating the Hall and its gardens into the village Conservation Area. In partnership with English Heritage, an Options Appraisal was prepared outlining various options for 'saving' the Hall, perhaps allowing some permitted development of the old RAF Hospital site. I now understand the owners are currently in the process of preparing outline development plans for the old RAF Hospital site, so finally there may be some light at the end of the tunnel for stabilising Nocton Hall as a ruin.

    As a result, the whole area has been made more secure and occasionally people have been prosecuted, where suitable evidence has been available. There are now security provisions in place and a person regularly patrols the fence line to make sure it is repaired where necessary. However, as you say these sites do attract many visitors, from all walks of life.

    Fortunately, there is an unwritten agreement with the current owners that access is allowed to the gardens related to the Hall, however this does not extend to the unstable Nocton Hall building and the dilapidated RAF Hospital site. Damage to the fence is an ongoing problem that needs constant monitoring, but anything of real value has now been removed from the site, so apart from 'urban explorers' who tend to take photographs/make videos and only leave footprints, there is little trouble caused. The main issue nowadays is from groups of youths on 'ghost-hunting' trips who occasionally create noise nuisance to residents who live on in the Hall grounds.

    Thanks for your interest in the topic and your kind words about the village in general - it is a wonderful place to live.

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  5. Thank you for your informative reply Geoff,it is appreciated.
    I am pleased that there may be a glimmer of hope that things may be moving at last,albeit slowly.
    It is such a shame that the hall is now a complete ruin and is likely to remain so,due to vandalism and inaction by certain parties.Unfortunately, this is all too common I have found with listed buildings in recent times.

    Local councils/owners should be held accountable for listed buildings and if necessary the power of "compulsory purchase" invoked.

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  6. Councils have all the necessary legislation to protect heritage buildings and clearly other Councils use them to great effect. Pity North Kesteven District Council felt unable to enforce this with this historic site. Best to remember the times when it was great eh. It is a shame I never managed to visit it during its heyday. All I have are old photographs which show the grandeur of the hall and grounds.

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