A STANMORE airbase known as the spiritual home of the Few will go back on the market by the end of this month.

Bentley Priory, the home of Fighter Command during the Second World War, was passed to VSM Estates after the RAF withdrew in May, 2008, throwing its future as a historic landmark into doubt.

Following campaigning by local residents a commemorative Battle of Britain museum was secured alongside plans to turn the site into 177 luxury flats and 162 houses.

But as the Harrow Times exclusively reported in March last year the whole project was shelved after the housing market collapsed in the wake of the credit crunch.

The plans have now been resurrected, and VSM Estates says it is confident about finding a buyer.

The news has sparked hopes the museum may finally be built as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by RAF pilots during a period in Britain's history where the future seemed most in doubt.

Dorothy Pope, a survivor of the Coventry blitz, who now lives in Runnelfield, Harrow-on-the-Hill, described the move as “wonderful”.

She said: “It would be an absolute disgrace if the museum didn't exist. How could anyone let something so important and historic fade into nothing.

“It's difficult to put into words what this site means. It's just that I know how important it was not just to my present existence but to the existence of young people today.

“I just want the present generation and all the coming generations to know what life would have been like had we not won the war.”

Squadron Leader Erica Ferguson, of the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, said: “It's always been a strong site and a very desirable one.

“If any venue can pick up then Bentley Priory can, we are very pleased.”

Guy Gusterson, land director at VSM Estates, told the Harrow Times how the recession has forced the company to look again at proposals and said it is in talks with Harrow Council to find ways to make the scheme more viable.

The authority set down guidelines for any potential developments at the base in early 2008, and planning consent was granted for a project involving housing and the museum in July that year.

Mr Gusterson said the museum would be included in the scheme.

He said: “We will recommence marketing of the RAF Bentley Priory site later this month and we are confident that a suitable housebuilder will be appointed in due course to deliver this exceptional development.”