History enthusiasts and the relatives of Second World War glider pilots have criticised plans to redevelop a former runway pivotal in the D-Day landings.

It follows a decision by Covid-19 vaccine manufacturer Moderna to build its new technology centre at Harwell Campus - the former site of RAF Harwell.

A former runway on the site would be redeveloped under the plans submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council.

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Steve Hale, who started the campaign group ‘Save RAF Harwell site heritage’, wants the proposed building moved 40 metres northwest to preserve the runway.

He said: “My objection is not to the vaccine factory. It is to the siting, and it could have been further back so that it protected the runway.

“It just has a huge significance. This little bit of runway that is left.”

On the night of June 5, 1944, planes from the No. 38 Group Royal Air Force took off from RAF Harwell ahead of the D-Day landing the next day.

They carried troops from the 6th Airborne Division, who were the first British soldiers to land in Normandy in the major operation to liberate France from Nazi occupation. 

One of the pilots was Ron Bartley - part of Operation Tonga – whose glider plane crashed after the tow rope that connected it to the bomber plane snapped just off the French coast.

He spent 83 days behind enemy lines, in which time he survived machine gun fire that killed four of the six men he was stranded with. Nevertheless, he survived the war. 

He returned to Harwell Campus three times in 2004, 2005 and 2006 with his son Chris Bartley.

Mr Bartley Jnr, 64, said developing the runway would “take away the history of D-Day.”

He said: “There’s not much left of Harwell as he would have known it apart from the two runways – and one of which you can’t even get to because it’s fenced off.

“It’s quite iconic for us in historical terms as its where he took off. For there to be a building over there would take away the history of D-Day.

“From a historical point of view, I know some people might say it’s just a bit of tarmac that’s left, but in the future, why not have a glider pilot museum or something. Something to remember the regiment.

“It’s just very sad to see what was once RAF Harwell taken over by a vaccine factory who possibly don’t know the history surrounding that site.”

Rob Ponsford, 60, also has a connection with the former runway, as his father Fred flew troops from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in an Airspeed Horsa ahead of the D-Day landing.

He said: “It’s just a shame that something can’t be looked at to conserve part of that area, even just a little part.

“I’m all for redevelopment and advancements and I appreciate that the size of the site means it’s going to happen and it has happened.

“But it’s a shame it’s that area because it’s such an important part of history and that a little bit can’t be preserved.

“Many of the fighter pilots who left that site obviously never returned.

“There is that connection. There are many relatives of fighter pilots who are involved in preserving the heritage of that regiment.”

Each year, a memorial service is held at a plaque at the end of the runway.

The runway is also well-known for its experimental plane catapult which was designed to launch a 30-ton bomber into the sky during the war.

The catapult never launched any planes but is unique in its design.

The mechanism, which was powered by six aircraft engines, is no longer there, but the 30m wide and 3m deep bowl it sat in still exists.

Moderna’s plans would build over the former site, which is now buried underground.

David Griffiths, 61, who is part of the campaign group, said: “It’s a bit of living history that we’re looking at going beneath a building.”

“If you look at what goes on there now, in terms of the campus, what we’re talking about with this catapult and pit is very similar.

“This is something that was going on to help us win the war. Surely that should be preserved as much as possible for future generations.

“Hopefully in time this thing can be exposed, but if you build on top of it, then it’s gone forever.

“All you have left is a board in the car park that says ‘hey, look what we built on’. Surely you can do better.”

“There’s plenty of space for it to be put somewhere else without compromising this little bit of history we have.”

A spokeswoman for Harwell Campus said: “We are immensely proud of Harwell’s heritage.

“As an RAF base Harwell’s role in D-Day was significant and since 1946 the campus has been one of the world’s leading science and innovation campuses, home to a string of world-first breakthroughs.

“We recognise the centrality of honouring our heritage alongside continuing to grow the campus and welcome the valuable comments from our neighbours.

“The campus has recently launched new heritage trails, installed artwork visualising a plane taking off, improved landscaping around memorials and refurbished former RAF buildings.

“We will continue to work closely with stakeholders such as the Royal British Legion to develop more ways to celebrate our heritage.”

The campaign group will put their case to a Vale of White Horse District Council planning committee meeting tonight (Wednesday).