Purcell supports vision for heritage-led regeneration at RAF Scampton

A home for the Red Arrows

Purcell, in collaboration with Focus Consultants, has completed a feasibility study for Lincolnshire County Council to assess the potential transformation of Royal Air Force Scampton into a landmark aviation heritage centre and cultural attraction.

RAF Scampton, located in Lincolnshire, is one of the UK’s most historically significant RAF stations. Best known as the former base of the Red Arrows and its association with the legendary Dambusters Raid, the site holds immense cultural and historical value.

The feasibility study investigated how best to secure the long-term future of this nationally important site while respecting its continued use as an operational RAF base. The key challenge was to balance the heritage-led regeneration ambitions with the practical needs of ongoing military activity.

We explored a range of options across the site: a vacant officers’ mess, four Grade II-listed hangars, and a mix of disused and operational RAF buildings. These scenarios considered the scale and scope of a potential aviation museum, including how the final offering may evolve depending on the availability of historic aircraft for display.

The study also highlighted the site’s broader potential as a cultural and economic asset for the region, identifying pathways for investment, phased development, and public engagement, all rooted in a conservation-led approach.

As part of the project, Purcell provided specialist heritage consultancy, conservation, funding and regeneration advise, helping to shape a vision that respects the site’s legacy while unlocking its future potential.