‘Hole in the ground’ bunker to go under the hammer
The auction for the former nuclear bunker goes live at 11:00 GMT on 12 November and runs for 24 hours
Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting from
Repps with Bastwick
A Cold War nuclear bunker with no toilet or running water is to go under the hammer in a 24-hour online auction.
The bunker, which is beneath a farmer’s field at Repps with Bastwick, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has a guide price of between £10,000 and £20,000.
It was built in the 1950s as an observation post and was designed to house up to three people for up to three weeks in the event of an atomic strike.
Owner Fred Sharman said he did not know who would buy the bunker, adding: “There’s no facilities of electric, toilet or water but there is what I call a ‘bucket and chuck-it’ toilet.”
Image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
Landowner Fred Sharman said he was inspired to sell the bunker after seeing a feature on BBC Breakfast News earlier in October
Mr Sharman said: “I think it’s going to be someone a bit quirky. I don’t think it’s the everyday persons’ sort of thing but it’s whatever floats your boat and maybe that person’s out there.
“I saw one advertised and I thought I’ve got one of those and thought I’d see what I could do with it.
“If someone sees it and it’s something that they want, and it’s in their money margin, then I’ve got nothing to lose. It’s just a lump of concrete to me.”
Image source, Supplied
The bunker was designed to house up to three personnel for up to three weeks to keep observation in the aftermath of a nuclear attack
Auctioneer Trevor Blythe, from Brown and Co estate agents, said there were about 1,500 similar bunkers built around the UK and some of them had sold for good money.
He said: “Who’s to buy it, who’s to say. Probably an enthusiast or somebody who just wants something a little bit quirky, or perhaps to retain a little bit of British heritage.
“It’s not that practical; I don’t think there’s any specific use for it. Maybe a wine cellar, but that’s about it.
“I can’t think of any other use for it except to come down and enjoy it for what it is; a hole in the ground.”
Image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
The bunker comes complete with it’s rudimentary ‘bucket and chuck-it’ toilet
Image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
Estate agent Trevor Blythe said anyone hoping to convert the bunker to residential or holiday use would have to inquire with the local planning authority
The bunker, which is next to a roadside, will be sold with a small parcel of land to allow for parking. Mr Sharman said when in military ownership a shed stood near the site, but that was removed some years ago.
Mr Blythe said any change of use or converted for holiday accommodation, would likely require consent from the local planning authority.
He added: “I think it’s highly unlikely, I don’t think the local planners would allow anything specific because it would open the floodgates, but you never know.
“It’s up to individuals to make their own inquiries.”
Image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
The bunker is clad with polystyrene insulation and features a ventilation shaft, cupboard and shelves
The online auction starts at 11:00 GMT on Tuesday 12 November and runs for 24 hours.
Image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
Access to the bunker is through a small access hatch, and down a vertical ladder
Listen: A 1950s nuclear bunker has gone on the market at Repps with Bastwick.
