Huge World War Two PoW water tower transformed into £1.2m four-bed family home
A WORLD War Two PoW camp water tower has been transformed into a £1.2million four-bedroom family home.
The historic structure was once party of 78 Working Camp that housed 700 Italian and German prisoners in the Essex countryside.
TOWER TRANSFORMED
It also doubled as a secret Marconi communications hub, sending early warning signals of enemy aircraft to Wethersfield, an American airbase five miles away.
But the derelict tower was given a new leases of life after it was bought by Jon Oakley and his wife Vicky for £285,000 in 2017.
The couple spent a fortune converting the building, which dates back to 1938, into a five storey home with four en-suite bathrooms and a ground floor extension.
A top level has been added to the 50ft structure, which had not been touched since 1950, to replace the water tank which was removed following the war.
POW CAMP
The new cladding was lifted onto the tower with a 100 tonne crane, with the top floor now used as a dressing room.
During the 14-month project, the couple found defunct wireless radios, switchboards and wiring in the structure.
They have lived in the property with their two youngest children but are now selling it as they are downsizing.
Jon, 46, who runs a car company, said: "The floors were all concrete and there were hatches in each one for a ladder which ran the full height of the building.
"It wasn’t like they had just left the room but the communications equipment was still wired and secured to the walls - it was all rotten and rusty though from exposure.
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"We believe it was run by Marconi, the British company which pioneered wireless long distance communication.
"We took a risk buying it, not knowing we would get planning permission. We have been able to save a local landmark that was derelict, disused and starting to deteriorate badly.
"Another 30 years and it wouldn't have been there at all."
- The property is listed with Zoe Napier estate agents via OnTheMarket
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