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‘Sad story’ of former RAF hall to come to end as Rushcliffe Borough Council approves demolition





An RAF officers’ mess which was once a ‘wonderful building’ will be knocked down after falling into ruin.

The hall of RAF Syerston, where officers once ate and socialised, has become a target for vandalism after standing derelict for years.

The building, which stands between Flintham and the A46 dual-carriageway, was later converted into an Islamic Institute boarding school, which closed in 2007.

Former RAF officers' mess on RAF Syerston, later the Islamic Institute school. Credit: Madni Trust
Former RAF officers' mess on RAF Syerston, later the Islamic Institute school. Credit: Madni Trust

Members of Rushcliffe Borough Council’s planning committee spoke sadly about the building’s decline yesterday (Thursday) as they gave permission for it to be demolished.

Rowan Bird said: “This is a very sad story. I’m probably the only one here to have attended events in the officers’ mess back in 1969.

“It was a wonderful building, but it become a wreck over the years.

“The parish council regularly raise problems with police – it was damaged over and over, and caused many problems.

“It needs to go and something be put in its place. There’s likely to be housing in the future. But it needs getting rid of.”

The council approved the application to demolish the building to free it up for development in the future.

The Madni Trust, who ran the school and own the land, submitted plans for 114 homes earlier this year, which are still pending approval.

Richard Butler said: “I’m familiar with the saga of the site. I’ll watch with interest as the story goes on.”

Development had been delayed by the presence of bats in the building, although a bat barn was fitted last year to provide new roosts.

Sue Mallender said: “We need to make sure the bats have actually moved in. They’re not like people where you tell them where to go – nature doesn’t do what you want it to.”

Officers provided assurance that Natural England would ensure the bats’ safety during the work.

RAF Syerston opened in 1940, and was used to train crews for bombing runs during the Second World War.

It is still and active airfield and became a training base post-war. It is now home to the RAF Central Gliding School, which is used for training members of the Volunteer Gliding Squadron.



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