Big, massive hat-tip to @Grom for spotting this place. I'm sure he'll explain how it happened in more detail later but it was somewhat of an unexpected accidental discovery on his part.
A few days after he sent me some photos of it, we had arranged a trip along with @Lord Oort @Fluffy and a couple of non-members on a terribly wet day, but that didn't dampen our spirits and much fun was had.
There isn't a massive amount of information out there about this place, certainly not in comparison to other similar fuel storage sites across the country. It was apparently designated a 'secret' site by the MOD which may go some way to explaining that. It was constructed around the same time as many other military fuel storage sites and formed part of the GPSS network, as one of the pipelines runs right under it. Grom has done a mega amount of digging and investigative work in regards to the site so I'm sure he'll be along soon with a more thorough write up though. It's been disused for a considerable period of time, perhaps since the mid-1990s, and the last development application for 85 homes on the land was rejected in 2015 - as of 2020 the land is currently up for sale again.
The site is spread over a fairly large area and comprises four sunken covered oil storage reservoirs as well as an underground pumphouse (very flooded), with some warehouse type buildings and the canopied rig by the entrance. There is also a decontamination bunker set off to one side as well. Only one of the tanks is accessible, but it's a seriously impressive sight - one of the most awesome things I've shot for ages. The rest of the buildings are accessible but the driving rain and a tight time limit for me and my friend meant we had to shoot off a little earlier than the others - I'm hoping to go back soon when the weather clears up a little for a better poke around although I'm sure there won't be too much of interest in the above ground stuff.
Thanks for looking
A few days after he sent me some photos of it, we had arranged a trip along with @Lord Oort @Fluffy and a couple of non-members on a terribly wet day, but that didn't dampen our spirits and much fun was had.
There isn't a massive amount of information out there about this place, certainly not in comparison to other similar fuel storage sites across the country. It was apparently designated a 'secret' site by the MOD which may go some way to explaining that. It was constructed around the same time as many other military fuel storage sites and formed part of the GPSS network, as one of the pipelines runs right under it. Grom has done a mega amount of digging and investigative work in regards to the site so I'm sure he'll be along soon with a more thorough write up though. It's been disused for a considerable period of time, perhaps since the mid-1990s, and the last development application for 85 homes on the land was rejected in 2015 - as of 2020 the land is currently up for sale again.
The site is spread over a fairly large area and comprises four sunken covered oil storage reservoirs as well as an underground pumphouse (very flooded), with some warehouse type buildings and the canopied rig by the entrance. There is also a decontamination bunker set off to one side as well. Only one of the tanks is accessible, but it's a seriously impressive sight - one of the most awesome things I've shot for ages. The rest of the buildings are accessible but the driving rain and a tight time limit for me and my friend meant we had to shoot off a little earlier than the others - I'm hoping to go back soon when the weather clears up a little for a better poke around although I'm sure there won't be too much of interest in the above ground stuff.
Thanks for looking
