The redundant airbase at RAF Newton in Nottinghamshire saw action as a
bomber base and still retains its contemporary World War II (WWII) buildings,
although many are suffering dilapidation. Since it closed as a working RAF base
in 2000, a number of mostly residential-based development proposals have
been brokered for the site. The author using the example of RAF Newton and two
other RAF bases, which have been preserved as RAF museums, namely Duxford
in Cambridgeshire and East Kirkby in Lincolnshire looks to establish why the
latter two fl ourish as preserved bases while the apparently more complete,
more compact and the base which it could be argued possesses the more
original landscape looks likely to disappear. RAF Newton is tested under the
articles of the Burra Charter to see if the prerequisite for conservation, ‘ cultural
signifi cance ’ can be established. The physical presence of Newton is tested
against stated English Heritage guidelines over what constitutes an ideal WWII
aviation heritage site. Finally the preservation of sites like RAF Newton is tested
using the terms of the latest Nottinghamshire Local Plan, to establish if there is
a desire within planning policy to conserve such sites over straight development
proposals. While it appeared that RAF Newton could be conserved as a WWII
heritage site, the reason why it might not follow Duxford and East Kirkby as such
might be found outside of philosophy, and written guidelines.

• RAF Newton: A case study for investigating why certain historic sites are preserved