A crumbling ‘James Bond-style’ World War Two power station hidden deep in woodland for 80 years has hit the market for £2million.
What may appear a dull shell surrounded by ivy and nettles is crying out for an imaginative transformation into an exclusive countryside retreat – and the door is open.
Built to power RAF Honiley in Warwickshire, the now-derelict brick structure was built with 13-inch-thick walls capable of withstanding Nazi bombs.
Despite being left to rot for eight decades since the RAF moved out, it’s still standing proud, buried away in 55 acres of Frogmore Woods near Kenilworth.
Now, the atmospheric relic is being touted as the ultimate real-life Bond villain lair – after planning permission has been obtained for a sleek, luxury mansion straight out of Skyfall.
Its redevelopment potential is exceptional, given it is a brownfield site inside a protected green belt – an opportunity that rarely comes up.
Estate agents Moveli said the sale represents a ‘once-in-a-lifetime Grand Designs opportunity’.
Estate agent Edd Holt said: ‘It’s total seclusion with serious connectivity.
An abandoned WW2 power station has gone up for sale for a hefty £2million price tag
Eight decades after being abandoned by the RAF, the structure is still standing proud
The old power station is buried within 55 acres of private woodland, part of Frogmore Woods
‘You could live almost off grid, surrounded by 55 acres of private woodland, yet still be within easy reach of Birmingham and London.
‘That kind of balance is incredibly rare, and that’s what makes this such a special opportunity.
‘In 14 years of estate agency, this is one of the most unique opportunities I’ve had the privilege of selling.
‘Planning consent for a contemporary home in 55 acres of private Green Belt woodland is exceptionally rare.
‘It’s rare to see a former RAF support building from the 1940s still standing, let alone with the opportunity to give it a new purpose.
‘Sites like this connect directly back to the generation that flew from RAF Honiley, and that history deserves recognition.
‘The property is owned by a private local family who originally intended to develop it themselves.
‘Having secured planning and completed the necessary surveys, they have decided not to proceed.’
The walls were built 13-inch-thick in order to withstand Nazi bombs
An estate agent said: ”In 14 years of estate agency, this is one of the most unique opportunities I’ve had the privilege of selling’
The site presents a rare development opportunity, because it is a brown-field site within a protected green belt area
For military buffs, the historic power station offers a fascinating insight into Britain’s war machine.
Mr Holt added: ‘The building dates back to the early 1940s and formed part of the wider RAF Honiley complex during the Second World War.
‘RAF Honiley operated as a fighter and training station, with aircraft such as Spitfires, Hurricanes and later Mosquitos flying from the base.
‘The structure on site functioned as auxiliary infrastructure and was built to be blast-resistant, which explains the unusually substantial brickwork.
‘The James Bond-style hideaway description simply reflects the feel of the opportunity.
‘A former wartime structure set within 55 acres of private woodland, offering complete seclusion yet strong transport links nearby, has a certain cinematic quality.
‘It feels more like a hidden retreat than a conventional building plot.’
