MMO1488 - Possible World War Two radar station generator house at North Hill (Monument)

A World War Two chain home radar generator house, visible as a structure, was mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1946 and 1947. The T shaped flat roofed concrete structure was no longer visible in 1950.

SS 9541 4768 A Second World War chain home radar generator house, visible as a structure, was mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1946 and 1947. Located on Minehead's North Hill, 325 metres southwest of Greenaleigh Farm and immediately east of the path leading from Hill Road north towards the farm, the flat roofed concrete structure is part of a Coastal Defence/Chain Home Low (CD/CHL) radar station and likely to have housed the power generator for the operations block located 35 metres to the northnorthwest (MSO7619). The building is T shaped, the top of the T at the northern end likely to have contained two blast doors. It is about 8.8 metres long north to south and 4.7 metres wide east to west, the top of the T being 6.4 metres wide. A smaller 2.4 metres square structure, of unknown construction and function, is located immediately adjacent to the east of this building. Both structures were no longer visible in 1950. [1-4] The RCHME survey located metal and concrete rubble here, which appeared to fill a deep hole. They suggested the rubble came from MMO632. [6] This would appear to fit the form of the Coast Defence\Chain Home Low Stand-by-Set house. [7] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [8] The heritage asset was assessed for inclusion on the Exmoor Local Heritage List in February 2024. It was noted that the significance of it's age was strong, dating from 1942 – 1944 and integral to defence of Britain during WWII. It's rarity was strong being the only surviving example on Exmoor and few surviving nationally. It's Distinctive Design was strong being constructed of mass concrete and a highly functional design with many indications of function visible, similar design to other known examples. The signficance of it's historical association was deemed moderate, being part of WWII defences. It's evidential value was moderate: some demolished and interior of operational block and gantry array removed but much evidence surviving for function and fittings. It's Social and Communal Value was deemed to be strong with strong community interest and value. It's Group Value was deemed to be Strong being associated with the military complex on North Hill. It's Collective Value was strong with few surviving nationally and being a relatively good example despite loss of fittings. It was decided to add the asset to the Local Heritage List. [9]