RAF redevelopment wins praise (From Witney Gazette)

RAF redevelopment wins praise

Carterton residents have welcomed the start of work to demolish derelict former RAF flats.

The flats are torn down

The former family quarters, built in the 1960s and 70s, have stood empty for the past few years.

Adrian Coomber, chairman of the town's Neighbourhood Action Group, said: "It's a great relief for the people of Carterton to finally see these flats demolished. They have been left unoccupied for a very long time and have attracted vandals and squatters.

"This will dramatically improve that area of Carterton."

The site will be redeveloped to provide houses for extra service personnel who will move to RAF Brize Norton over the next few years as new transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft enter service.

Ministry of Defence contractors will pull down flats in Northwood Crescent, Upwood Drive and Stanmore Crescent over the next six months. About 70 flats, assessed to have reached the end of their useful life, are going. The operation is expected to take about 10 weeks to complete.

Carterton's mayor, Maxine Crossland, said: "We have been waiting some time for this finally to happen and I'm delighted to see the bulldozers moving in."