LIFT OFF FOR NEW VISITOR CENTRE NEAR BRIGG

The Brigg area can look forward to a new visitor attraction now North Lincolnshire Council has given the go ahead.
Approval has been granted to construct a WW2 RAF Memorial Heritage Centre on land to the rear of Field House Farm, Redbourne Road, Hibaldstow.
Although Lincolnshire was known as Bomber County during the Second World War because it had so many bases featuring heavy planes like the Lancaster and the Halifax, Hibaldstow airfield had training and fighter planes, including some Spitfires, and was a 'satellite station' allied to nearby RAF Kirton Lindsey.
The facility now cleared for take-off in Hibaldstow will consist of two wooden huts, a Nissen hut (these were common during WW2) and a brick building.
Council planners were briefed about the Commemorative Visitor Centre proposal in an extensive document submitted in support of the application on behalf of the North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre.
The statement explained: "The NLAHC (in co-operation with the Airfields of Great Britain Trust) is intending to create
a memorial on site at Hibaldstow, to commemorate all the airmen and airwomen that served in the Allied Air Forces in North Lincolnshire during WW2.
"It is to be noted that the site is to represent ALL the RAF personnel who served in North Lincolnshire across the various airfields and RAF sites within the North Lincolnshire area.
"The centre is planning on joining up with the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Trail - a hugely positive approach from a wider tourism perspective which will help attract people to North Lincolnshire to see its important and rich history including the critical role of the area in WW2.
"The planned memorial centre will sit low in the landscape and is visually ‘hidden’ to the rear of a working farm, commercial sites and adjacent to Hibaldstow Airfield which will prevent any overly harmful impact on the general vista.
An assessment report by North Lincolnshire Council planning staff recommended that permission should be granted by the authority, it's conclusion being: "The proposal represents a sustainable form of development that is succinct with the over-arching spatial strategy."
North Lincolnshire had WW2 bomber bases at Elsham Wold, Kirmington (now Humberside Airport) and Killingholme.

PICTURED: A Lancaster bomber fly-past at the former Hibaldstow airfield some years ago, and an information board about the airfield during WW2.