HHA Aircraft damaged at Scampton

I must say the villa has not been in my mind for 3 or 4 decades now. It hasn’t been investigated for many, many more decades. I guess because of its location, on the main runway approach. I’m not aware of any plans to start digging but if there are – now might be the time whilst the airfield is closed. But if there aren’t any plans, then surely nothing changes. 

The original build time, set by SHL, was three years if my memory serves me right. That would make a completion time of Autumn 25. Here we are Winter 24/25 and no “practical” progress or spades in the ground yet.

As a very, very young lad I couldn’t quite believe the Romans got there before Guy Gibson!

H

Since 2010 I have participated in several Scampton related consultations, albeit not with the current Scampton Holdings. From my perspective the interesting comment in the government link was the choice to use the general phrase “Crown land”.

That is defined as: “A term often used to cover a variety of categories, such as: land belonging to The King as monarch; The King’s private property; properties of the Duchies of Cornwall or Lancaster; or Government land. To avoid confusion, more specific terms can be used, such as the Crown Estate or central government property.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/functional-standards-common-glossary/functional-standards-common-glossary#c

Another interesting (complicating?) factor flagged for the Scampton location is the remains of the Roman villa, which I believe may refer to the following site:
https://heritage-explorer.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Monument/MLI54197

Lots likely to happen before genuine progress is made, not least the potential changes to local government structures that are being ‘promoted’.

Since 2010 I have participated in several Scampton related consultations, albeit not with the current Scampton Holdings. From my perspective the interesting comment in the government link was the choice to use the general phrase “Crown land”.

That is defined as: “A term often used to cover a variety of categories, such as: land belonging to The King as monarch; The King’s private property; properties of the Duchies of Cornwall or Lancaster; or Government land. To avoid confusion, more specific terms can be used, such as the Crown Estate or central government property.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/functional-standards-common-glossary/functional-standards-common-glossary#c

Another interesting (complicating?) factor flagged for the Scampton location is the remains of the Roman villa, which I believe may refer to the following site:
https://heritage-explorer.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Monument/MLI54197

Lots likely to happen before genuine progress is made, not least the potential changes to local government structures that are being ‘promoted’.

The ownership status of the Scampton site is a complex one. However, the last signature on the paperwork was that of the Home Office.

When the new government came into power, last Summer, one of the first things they said was they had no use for the site. Nearly seven months later they have still not released it.

The HHA airframes are parked on private land alongside the boundary fence/taxi way.

It is my understanding that for security reasons the Scampton site is still listed as if it were an active airfield. The proposed Home Office use would have required some form of security cover. The AS-IS was left in place while that was sorted out/arranged. I don’t think the Scampton site can be described as an active airfield today. No ATC or crash cover for a start.

But the MOD haven’t said no to using the overhead as a Red’s training area once the airfield is reactivated.        

However, what concerns me as a long term supporter of SHL’s plans for the site is the deterioration of the infrastructure since Sep 22. Arguably, it is the listed buildings that add value to anything going forward. Plus if Mat could bring his Hunters back that would be the icing on the cake. 

H

The ownership status of the Scampton site is a complex one. However, the last signature on the paperwork was that of the Home Office.

When the new government came into power, last Summer, one of the first things they said was they had no use for the site. Nearly seven months later they have still not released it.

The HHA airframes are parked on private land alongside the boundary fence/taxi way.

It is my understanding that for security reasons the Scampton site is still listed as if it were an active airfield. The proposed Home Office use would have required some form of security cover. The AS-IS was left in place while that was sorted out/arranged. I don’t think the Scampton site can be described as an active airfield today. No ATC or crash cover for a start.

But the MOD haven’t said no to using the overhead as a Red’s training area once the airfield is reactivated.        

However, what concerns me as a long term supporter of SHL’s plans for the site is the deterioration of the infrastructure since Sep 22. Arguably, it is the listed buildings that add value to anything going forward. Plus if Mat could bring his Hunters back that would be the icing on the cake. 

H

Anyone who participated in the Aviation Heritage UK Zoom meeting on 23.01.25, and listened to the Scampton Holdings presentation, will have an insight into some aspects of the issues being discussed on here.

The question of who, on paper, owns the former RAF Scampton site seems to be quite a complex issue; and also whether or not it still has airfield status.

In support of those comments there are few clues to that ownership situation in the opening paragraphs of this article: https://pilotweb.aero/news/agreement-in-principle-reached-on-dual-use-of-former-raf-scampton/   

Plus, additional insights can be found in here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-accommodation-scampton/scampton-factsheet

My understanding is that the HHA airframes are not stored on government property.

Anyone who participated in the Aviation Heritage UK Zoom meeting on 23.01.25, and listened to the Scampton Holdings presentation, will have an insight into some aspects of the issues being discussed on here.

The question of who, on paper, owns the former RAF Scampton site seems to be quite a complex issue; and also whether or not it still has airfield status.

In support of those comments there are few clues to that ownership situation in the opening paragraphs of this article: https://pilotweb.aero/news/agreement-in-principle-reached-on-dual-use-of-former-raf-scampton/   

Plus, additional insights can be found in here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-accommodation-scampton/scampton-factsheet

My understanding is that the HHA airframes are not stored on government property.

Thank you,  hypersonic, I was not aware of that distinction.

Thank you,  hypersonic, I was not aware of that distinction.

“Sad to see the so called Urbex bods have trespassed at scampton”

These are just a bunch of a-holes. 

Genuine urban explorers make a particular point of not breaking in, only entering where there is a clear and easy access, and they have a rigidly adhered to rule that they only look and record – they do not interfere with stuff, do not cause damage and do not remove anything. 

I’m a bit surprised that these airframes are still at Scampton – HHA’s website is saying the Sukhoi (98+14) and Buccaneer (XX885) are in storage at Leeming!

“Sad to see the so called Urbex bods have trespassed at scampton”

These are just a bunch of a-holes. 

Genuine urban explorers make a particular point of not breaking in, only entering where there is a clear and easy access, and they have a rigidly adhered to rule that they only look and record – they do not interfere with stuff, do not cause damage and do not remove anything. 

I’m a bit surprised that these airframes are still at Scampton – HHA’s website is saying the Sukhoi (98+14) and Buccaneer (XX885) are in storage at Leeming!

Adrian_gray, you might like to know that trespass on an airfield, military or civil is a criminal act – it may also be covered by the full weight of anti-terrorism legislation.

Dockyards and nuclear facilities are also covered by the same criminal and anti-terrorism legislation.

Whether those idiots trespassed on the old airfield, to get to the aircraft, I don’t know. But I’m reliably informed the land, itself, (Scampton site) is currently still covered by the same legislation as if it were still an active airfield.

H

Adrian_gray, you might like to know that trespass on an airfield, military or civil is a criminal act – it may also be covered by the full weight of anti-terrorism legislation.

Dockyards and nuclear facilities are also covered by the same criminal and anti-terrorism legislation.

Whether those idiots trespassed on the old airfield, to get to the aircraft, I don’t know. But I’m reliably informed the land, itself, (Scampton site) is currently still covered by the same legislation as if it were still an active airfield.

H