Building record LKH 403 - Cold war Very Heavy Bomber (VHB) Control Tower, RAF Lakenheath.

Cold war control tower of national importance. Presently vacant within USAF airbase.
An unusual example of a very heavy bomber station control tower, believed to be one of only four examples of this type built. From external inspection, appears to be in its original configuration. Said to be Listed Building(?) (S1)

Previously recorded undar LKH 143.

Historic building recording report documenting the Lakenheath Very Heavy Bomber control tower prior to its demolition. The tower was only one of four such towers constructed in the United Kingdom between 1945-1946, has been scheduled for demolition by the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron in mid-2009. Following Years of non-use and a shortage of restoration funding between 1990-2008 resulted in hazardous conditions within the facility that include potential asbestos and lead paint exposure, mould, and faunal infestation. Due to the high estimated cost for restoration the tower was earmarked for demolition by 48th Fighter Wing leadership in the late 1990s. However, funding shortages between 1999-2007 prevented the tower’s demolition until 2009. For over 60 years the tower has stood as a silent sentinel over Lakenheath’s flightline. The personnel occupying its offices between 1946 and 1992 have observed practically every bomber and fighter aircraft flown by the Royal Air Force, the United States Air Force, and hundreds of aircraft flown by NATO partners. Its demise will close another chapter in the history of RAF Station Lakenheath. Not only is the tower the most striking and architecturally unique building on the air base, but it was also the only robust wartime, permanent-type structure remaining on Lakenheath (S2).

Report was commissioned by English Heritage, which was an examination of four military buildings of a type known as Very Heavy Bomber Control Towers, built at four sites in East Anglia at RAF Lakenheath, RAF West Raynham, RAF Sculthorpe and RAF Marham. The survey was carried out in August 2005 (S3).