THERE are plans to preserve an important piece of Second World War history in Barnsley which has been listed as being ‘at risk’.
The anti-aircraft battery, also known as station H17, in Bolton-upon-Dearne contains numerous small buildings which were built ahead of the Battle of Britain to help fend off Luftwaffe attacks on Sheffield.
It is not believed a shot was fired from the site but is still considered a salient part of the town’s history.
Some of the remaining buildings, which are made out of concrete and breeze blocks, have been targeted by vandals and there is some decay but they are considered salvageable.
Nature is taking over at the site off Lowfield Road with and close to the Adwick Washlands nature reserve.
The listed monument was descibed as being ‘at risk’ by Historic England earlier this year.
A Historic England spokesperson said: “This scheduled monument in Barnsley is a surviving example of a Second World War anti-aircraft gunsite.
“The site is currently on our Heritage at Risk Register due to tree and scrub growth, and decay across the site.
“We are in contact with the local council and are working with them to consider options to protect this important site.”
The Historic England website confirms the remaining buildings include ‘the functional core of the station’.
They include the command post, gun emplacements, gun holdfasts, Nissen magazine and the service track.
Barnsley Council have also confirmed the talks but the Chronicle understands progress could be sped up with the formation of a group of volunteers who would be willing to help manage the site.
Councillor Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “The anti-aircraft battery in Bolton-upon-Dearne is on privately owned land and also on Historic England’s risk register.
“We’ve approached Historic England to engage in discussions about what we can do and what the landowner can do to safeguard the future of this important monument.”
Local history enthusiasts, Ian Harley and Melvyn Lunn, have recently visited the site and feel the time is right for action.
Melvyn said: “Personally, given that the site is one of only 60 remaining deemed ‘well preserved’ out of nearly 1,000 sites built during World War Two, I think it is an asset to Barnsley’s historical heritage and should be preserved, and it’s existence publicised, at all costs.”
Ian added: “Station H17, with its four gun emplacements and command post, is a rare and well-preserved example of around 1,000 anti-aircraft batteries built to protect British cities from Luftwaffe bombing raids.
“While constructed to protect us, it is now in need of protection itself.
“It could, however, have a new life, as a visitor attraction reminding people of darker days when the skies were filled with the wings of death machines rather than wings of wildfowl visiting its surrounding nature reserves.”
