Plans to convert a former Royal Air Force ambulance garage, which also served as a wartime mortuary, into a “grab-and-go” café have drawn significant criticism from volunteer heritage groups. The building, located at Defford Airfield in Croome, Worcestershire, is part of the site commemorating 58 airmen who lost their lives during World War II.

Jonathan Wootton, 70, a member of the Defford Airfield Heritage Group, expressed strong opposition to the National Trust’s proposal, describing the plan as “morally bankrupt.” He and fellow volunteers argue that transforming the historically significant ambulance garage into a café disrespects the memory and sacrifice of those who served at the airfield.

The National Trust, which manages the site, defended the initiative by emphasizing the need to generate additional funds to support ongoing preservation efforts. The organization stated that the café would provide a convenient service to visitors while contributing financially to the upkeep of the heritage site.

The dispute highlights a broader tension between conserving historical sites in their original context and adapting them to modern visitor needs and economic sustainability. While the National Trust’s proposal aims to enhance visitor experience and financial viability, heritage advocates warn that such changes risk undermining the solemn significance of locations linked to wartime sacrifice.

No further details have been announced regarding the timeline or final decision on the café conversion. The National Trust and the Defford Airfield Heritage Group remain in discussion over how best to balance respect for history with contemporary operational requirements.