This week’s Map of the Week is a plan for Fairlop that never came to light.
In 1937 the City of London purchased 1,000 acres in order to build a civic airport. But with the threat of the Second World War these plans were rejected.
By the 1940’s the land was used as an airfield for the Royal Air Force. After the war the government announced that Fairlop was unsuitable and instead a small west London airfield was chosen – today’s Heathrow Airport!
The land was purchased by Ilford Council in 1955 and over time became the wonderful Fairlop Waters Country Park we all know and love today.
Title – Borough of Ilford Fairlop Schemes
Associated Dates– 1937
Exhibition A History of Redbridge in Maps
Location – On display- Redbridge Museum, Central Library 1st Floor
Opening times – Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm & Saturday 10am-4pm
Website – Visit the Museum website.
Post Author – A Deo
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