As Mark's sharing I thought I would too...
Coventry Group HQ consisted of the original '60's sub surface bunker and a large office block that was built at some point in the '80's.
A former No.8 group Observer told me that the only reason that the office block got funded was that it was built with a large canteen which would have been used as an emergency feeding centre, capable of feeding 1000 people a day in time of war.
Following the ROC standown the site was briefly allocated as a Regional Government HQ but this was soon abandoned.
There were then plans to turn the office block into a Laser Eye Surgery before it was bought and converted into a satellite uplink station.
The office block was modified in the late '90s and the bunker itself was modified in 2000.
Thanks to SMS for access and historic photos.
The site today. Extensive landscaping has been undertaken since the ROC days.
The UKWMO / ROC office block is to the right and linked via a glass covered walkway to the bunker.
The fenced compound in the top righthand corner is a Home Office Meterological station.
Then...the bunker in the late '90's prior to conversion.
Now...same angle a bit further away. The earth mound has been removed;
a conservatory added on the roof and a new entrance has been cut into
the mid level so that you can enter directly into the spine corridor.
Then...main entrance prior to renovation
Now....
The new entrance into the mid level spine corridor. Note patio area !
Then...the office block prior to renovation in the late '90's.
The main entrance would have been the double doors to the right.
Now... note the addition of a reception area and the clock tower.
Main entrance is now to the left at the main reception.
Covered walkway to the bunker. This enters the bunker through another new entrance cut through the wall near the plant room.
Control room
Info board in the control showing how the bunker was.
Re-modelled spine corridor. This exits onto the new patio !
Home Office Met station
Then....Hunter Gate Guardian
Now.... The same aircraft now at the Newark Aviation Museum
Coventry Group HQ consisted of the original '60's sub surface bunker and a large office block that was built at some point in the '80's.
A former No.8 group Observer told me that the only reason that the office block got funded was that it was built with a large canteen which would have been used as an emergency feeding centre, capable of feeding 1000 people a day in time of war.
Following the ROC standown the site was briefly allocated as a Regional Government HQ but this was soon abandoned.
There were then plans to turn the office block into a Laser Eye Surgery before it was bought and converted into a satellite uplink station.
The office block was modified in the late '90s and the bunker itself was modified in 2000.
Thanks to SMS for access and historic photos.
The site today. Extensive landscaping has been undertaken since the ROC days.
The UKWMO / ROC office block is to the right and linked via a glass covered walkway to the bunker.
The fenced compound in the top righthand corner is a Home Office Meterological station.
Then...the bunker in the late '90's prior to conversion.
Now...same angle a bit further away. The earth mound has been removed;
a conservatory added on the roof and a new entrance has been cut into
the mid level so that you can enter directly into the spine corridor.
Then...main entrance prior to renovation
Now....
The new entrance into the mid level spine corridor. Note patio area !
Then...the office block prior to renovation in the late '90's.
The main entrance would have been the double doors to the right.
Now... note the addition of a reception area and the clock tower.
Main entrance is now to the left at the main reception.
Covered walkway to the bunker. This enters the bunker through another new entrance cut through the wall near the plant room.
Control room
Info board in the control showing how the bunker was.
Re-modelled spine corridor. This exits onto the new patio !
Home Office Met station
Then....Hunter Gate Guardian
Now.... The same aircraft now at the Newark Aviation Museum
