MSO7619 - World War Two Chain Home Low Radar Station M116, Tx\Rx building at North Hill (Building)

Summary

A Second World War chain home radar operations block, still extant, is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 and 1947. When operational, the building supported a 10 foot high metal gantry which would have mounted the radar array.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

Remains of stand-by set block for World War Two radar station of CD/CHL type on North Hill. The transmitter / reciever block of a WWII radar station lies near Moor Wood at SS 95396 47716. The building was surveyed as part of the RCHME survey of the ENPA holding on North Hill. A large, roofed building of shuttered concrete, 12 x 5m externally. The building is terraced into the hillside to a max depth of 1.6m on the south side. The concrete base contains a drip gully and the building is approached by a flight of steps. Parts of the metal door frame and door survives. A further doorway in the east side has half its metal door and frame in situ. A total of 8 small apertures occur on all sides and four buttresses are sited on the north and south walls (two on each). Each has an arrangement of metal bolts on the roof. Two small concrete pads with anchoring rings lie to the west of the building. This was the transmitter\receiver block for the radar station, the aerials were mounted on the roof. [1] SS 9540 4770 A Second World War radar station operations block, visible as a structure, was mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1946 and 1947. Located on Minehead's North Hill, 310 metres southwest of Greenaleigh Farm and immediately west of the path leading from Hill Road north towards the farm, the rectangular flat roofed concrete structure is part of a Coastal Defence/Chain Home Low (CD/CHL) radar station. It is a standard design for the CD/CHL operations block, being 12 metres long (east-west) by 5 metres wide (north-south). A pair of buttresses are sited on the north and on the south walls. The south facing side of the building seems to have been cut into the hillside. When operational, the building would have supported a 10 foot high metal gantry which would have mounted the radar array. The structure was still visible in 1993. [2-8] A survey was commissioned by the Exmoor National Park Authority and undertaken by AC Archaeology to complement conservation works and repairs to the building. Works included re-laying of the asphalt roof, replacement of missing doors and window shutters, and tree clearance. The structure was constructed to a standard design, though some differences have been noted, such as the lack of a viewing step. Due to the similarities between buildings of this type, a suggested layout of the station has been provided. [9] RADAR STATION. SRF with photograph and sketch plan. SRF with sketch plan of flat concrete area behind Radar Station. Recorder - K.W. Astell. [10] The radar station was digitally reconstructed as part of the Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership Survey in 2015. [12,13] The station building is marked on 2018 MasterMap data. [14] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [15,16] 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. [17]

Sources/Archives (17)

  • <1> Report: Riley, H. and Wilson-North, R.. 1997. The field archaeology of North Hill: An archaeological survey of the Exmoor National Park holding. RCHME.
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/1655 4004-4005 11-JUL-1946.
  • <3> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF/CPE/UK/1980 4025 11-APR-1947.
  • <4> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Oblique Aerial Photograph. NMR SS 9447/1/187 (SF1459) 01-MAR-1979.
  • <5> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR/OS 93297 038-039 16-AUG-1993.
  • <6> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Oblique Aerial Photograph. NMR SS 95479 (21106/05) 09-FEB-2001.
  • <7> Website: Subterranea Britannica. Unknown. Subterranea Britannica web site. http://www.subbrit.org.uk/">www.subbrit.org.uk/. Magram CHL Radar Station, http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/m/margam/index.shtml.
  • <8> Archive: Crowther, S.. 2007. Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment: SS 94 NE. MD000134.
  • <9> Report: Passmore, A.. 2013. North Hill, Minehead: Results of historic building recording.
  • <10> Digital archive: Council for British Archaeology. 2002. Defence of Britain. DEB01. UID 46.
  • <11> Monograph: Wilcox, D.. 2014. Army Radar: The story of its development and employment in World War II. Reveille Press.
  • <12> Artwork: Lorimer, P.. 2015. Radar Station building plan at North Hill, Exmoor: Digital reconstruction drawing.
  • <13> Artwork: Lorimer, P.. 2015. Radar Station building at North Hill, Exmoor: Digital reconstruction drawing.
  • <14>XY Map: Ordnance Survey. 2018. MasterMap. [Mapped feature: #39985 ]
  • <15> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1102209, Extant 10 May 2022.
  • <16> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1411329, Extant 10 May 2022.
  • <17> Unpublished document: Exmoor National Park Authority. 2024. Exmoor Local Heritage List assessed by the Panel on 21 February 2024.

External Links (2)

Other Statuses/References

  • Defence of Britain Database UID: 46
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO630
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO12473
  • Local Heritage List Status (Listed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NE244 Migrated Defence of Britain Project database
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NE61
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1102209
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1411329 Migrated Defence of Britain Project database
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 35674

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 2954e 1477e (12m by 7m)
Map sheet SS21SE
Civil Parish MINEHEAD WITHOUT, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (4)

Related Events/Activities (6)

Record last edited

Apr 22 2024 3:02PM

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