RAF Norton Aerodrome (Sheffield)

United Kingdom / England / Dronfield / Sheffield / Norton Avenue
 airport, military
Norton Aerodrome is the site of a former RAF balloon barrage station during WW2.
RAF Norton was n°16 Balloon Centre (Barrage Balloons). The centre comprised of three Squadrons: 939 (West Riding), 940 (West Riding) and 941 (West Riding). Each squadron had three flights comprising 8 balloons each. During the 2 world war some form of military detention centre was also on the site. In February 1939 the RAF established an office at 641 Attercliffe Road and began enlisting men who undertook initial barrage balloon training in a factory on Bridge street.

The RAF then acquired a site at Lightwood, erected buildings, and in the summer of 1939 transferred from Attercliffe to what was called n°16 Balloon Centre at Lightwood. Their role was to set up barrage balloon sites around Sheffield, prepare and supply equipment, carry out repairs, and train staff to operate the sites.

By the time war broke out, there were 3 squadrons ready for action, No 393 (WEST), n°940(rotherham), and n°941(centrel). 941 was disbanded in April 1940 and staff transferred to the other 2. At full strength there were 72 balloons around Sheffield.

By 1943 the air threat to Sheffield had diminished, and most of the balloons were transferred to the defence of London. On the 1st July 1943 Lightwood was renamed RAF Norton. It was transferred to Signals Command and became n°3 Ground Radio Servicing Squadron. This continued until 1965, when under an RAF reorganisation the Squadron was moved to Rutland. RAF Norton officially closed in January 1965.

Back in the 1970s the old Norton Aerodrome site was owned by the NHS - the plan was to build a third big hospital for Sheffield on the site (Hallamshire and Northern General the two other big 'ones). Presumably that's why they put the ambulance station at Batemoor.

The state of decay gradually got worse and parts of it got used by gangs of lads on off road trials bikes. It was then taken over as a driver training centre in the 1970s-80s where you could pay to practice driving your car or bike around those huts on their fairly narrow road ways and much wide runways. Ideal if you were learning to drive and needed some off road practice first, although being run legally you did need to show all your documents (licence, insurance, tax etc.) when you paid to use the facility.

In October 2007 the future of the former Norton aerodrome in Sheffield is back in the spotlight.
Preliminary talks are being held over possible uses, such as housing, for parts of the site that are currently derelict. So far attempts at redevelopment have foundered on the strict planning rules resulting from the land being in the green belt. Now, with the old RAF airfield at Lightwood in the hands of Government regeneration agency English Partnerships, initial moves are being made to see if solutions can be found.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   53°20'22"N   1°26'14"W

Comments

  • This site is now back open as a driving area..
  • Some time ago in the late 50s to early 60s there was an air show here which I attended as a young boy. One memory that stands out was when a Vulcan did a low level flypast for the show. The only aicraft I remember taking off, doing a display & landing was some spitfires.
  • Yes, I remember this as well, although it's so long ago that I was coming to think that it was my memory playing tricks! I do remember my Dad taking me there when I was a lad and I have a vague memory of the Vulcan as well. Thanks for confirming that I'm not losing it after all!
This article was last modified 8 years ago