Wroughton Airfield building demolished ahead of Science Museum project

The 1930s gatehouse at the Red Bard site on Wroughton Airfield has been brought down by diggers to make way for a brand new welcome building as part of the Wroughton Science Musuem project.

It comes before the site is opened to the public.

Dogwalkers in the area first spotted a cherry picker on the site on February 7, and by Monday 12, it had been completely reduced to rubble. 

Construction workers preparing to demolish the gatehouse at Wroughton Airfield (Image: Public Submission)Although people living in the area are very supportive of the upcoming plans for the Wroughton Science Museum to be a public visitor destination, many have expressed sadness at seeing a building with such a rich history removed.

One person said: "A sad but exciting time at the old airfield Wroughton as old makes way for new and improved access onto the site from Redbarn Lane and the A4361.

"There are mixed feelings from locals. This building has stood the test of time and war let's hope the "new" is as sturdy."

Another added: "It's a shame, this was our heritage and our history."

The 'welcome building' that will be built as part of the Science Museum Group's plans to open the Wroughton National Collections Centre up to the public (Image: Swindon Borough Council)Planning permission for the demolition of the gatehouse building and its replacement with a welcome centre was granted by Swindon Borough Council in July 2023, after an application was made by Pegasus Group on behalf of the Science Museum. 

But as part of that permission, the council required the Science Museum to extensively document the gatehouse's history. 

In the decision note for the application, Richard Ben, the local authority's director of strategic development and growth, said: "Before demolition of the existing building, a full recording and photographic evidence (annotated photos, with accompanying plans, and measured drawings of the interior and exterior) of the existing entrance building shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority, and a copy deposited with the Wiltshire County Records Office."

He added this was to "ensure that the character and appearance of the entrance building is conserved".

It is hoped that the National Collections Centre for the Science Museum Group at Wroughton will be open sometime this year with visitors being able to look at more than 300,000 historic objects and many more extraordinary items in the Library and Archive.