www.kings-hill.com

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September 2015

WWII HERITAGE AERIAL OF KINGS HILL, FORMERLY RAF WEST MALLING

Golf Club

David Lloyd

School

School

Sports Park

Waitrose

Entrance

Cricket Pitch

BOFORS GUN TOWER

OFFICERS’ MESS

CHURCHILL SQUARE

CONTROL TOWER

PILL BOX

PICKETT-HAMILTON

About LibertyLiberty Property Trust are the visionary developers behind Kings Hill. Guided by a mission to enhance people’s lives through extraordinary environments, our philosophy is evident in every feature of Kings Hill. The development is now over 25 years in the making and Liberty’s involvement from the start has ensured continuity. Liberty Property Trust is quoted on the New York stock exchange (LPT) and comfort can be taken from this in that we are a well-funded public company, able to take the long view in our commitment to the people of Kings Hill. www.libertyproperty.com.

Kings Hill is our signature project in the UK. We understand that good development is about placemaking and providing the soft and social infrastructure needed to create a true community. We wish to leave a lasting legacy of which we, the people of Kings Hill and future generations can be proud.

The fact that heritage, arts and culture have an important place within Kings Hill is a testament to the commitment to create not only an inspiring and stimulating environment but to enhance the sense of place.

Liberty has played an active role in promoting interest in heritage, the arts and culture throughcommissions, sponsorships and events.

Heritage buildings / structures associated with the airfield

1. Bofors light anti-aircraft gun tower

A rare example of this type of structure, built from concrete and brick. Its purpose was to defend the airfield from attack from low flying enemy aircraft by raising a 40mm Bofors gun and its operational equipment, above the surrounding obstacles, in order to achieve all-round field of fire. The tower is 20 metres tall and also provided storage and accommodation.

2. Officers’ Mess

Renamed the Gibson Building after Wing Commander Guy Gibson, now home to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. The mess itself is used as the Council Chamber. Built in 1939 and Grade II listed, its brick walls still show traces of the painted camouflage dating from WWII.

3. Churchill Square

Built in 1939 and opened in 1940 as the Fighter Command Station, it comprises seven, Grade II listed buildings, which formed the accommodation and administration blocks. Six of the buildings were constructed as H-plan, cavity walled, two storey buildings with flat concrete and asphalt roofs. Number 40 Churchill Square was the institute building which included the refectory and barracks. The flat roof and use of concrete resulted in a design that was quick to build and offered better protection against shrapnel and incendiary bombs.

4. The Control Tower

Art deco-inspired, Grade II listed, built in 1942 and regarded as one of the best examples of its type. When the building was operational during WWII, it housed the main watch office control room, including the meteorological and signals office, with access to the glazed observation room on the second floor. The building has been carefully and respectfully refurbished and provides the centre piece for the new piazza, part of the Liberty Square retail centre for Kings Hill.

As well as restoring the original Control Tower building, two single storey extensions have been added. One of the new extensions houses a cultural centre

for use by the community. The other extension, together with part of the ground floor of the original building, is a new coffee shop. The second floor has been extended and has become office space, together with the first floor. Secondary windows have been installed and the original windows restored, ensuring the building is watertight. All works were monitored by the Conservation Officer.

Kings Hill: A Place of Landings is a series of public artworks, inspired by the Control Tower, its heritage and the community, that were installed around the building in August 2014.

The artworks were commissioned by Kings Hill development partners Liberty Property Trust and Kent County Council, from recommendations set out in the Kings Hill Culture and Placemaking Strategy, developed and written by art placemaking consultants Futurecity. The artworks were designed by artist Richard Wolfströme and fabricated by Millimetre. Community engagement consultants Futurecreative gathered stories, memories and poems about Kings Hill and West Malling through creative community engagement sessions, school workshops and hundreds of postcards sent out in the local area, inviting contributions.

Peter Hall, local historian, authenticated the information used in the artworks.

5. Type 24 Pill Box

Retained within a nature conservation area, off Bancroft Lane, once part of a series of approximately 20 pill boxes around the perimeter of the airfield. The small, squat structure measures about 6 metres by 5.5 metres and was constructed as part of the British anti-invasion preparations.

6. Picketts-Hamilton Fort

Preserved within the Kings Hill landscape, formerly RAF West Malling, the fort was installed to provide close defence of the runway. The sunken structure consists of two, vertically sunk concrete cylinders, one mounted inside the other. The inner cylinder remains in the low position, whilst the lifting head cylinder, pierced with three apertures for the main Vickers or Bren gun, was then raised to its firing position by a pneumatic jack, supplemented by a manual pump. One of the three forts installed was removed from site and is now displayed at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.

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