Grant for historic Cornish Anti-Aircraft Battery

The Rame Conservation Trust is the custodian of the uniquely well-preserved 18th century defences at Maker Heights on the west side of Plymouth Sound. The strategic importance of the Maker Heights continued into the 20th century and in 1940 a Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) battery was constructed to the east of the original (1800) Maker Barracks. The importance of this rare survival was recognised in 2024 when it was scheduled by Historic England. The Trust therefore want to install an Interpretation Board for the HAA battery based on the very successful Boards created for the earlier sites at Maker Heights. These provide historical backgrounds, illustrations and outline maps of the installations.

David Clarke, Chair of the Fortress Study Group said “We are delighted to be able to support the Rame Conservation Trust’s ambition to present the HAA Battery to the public by funding this new Interpretation Board to complement those on the earlier fortifications. The group visited the Maker Heights in 2024 and were very impressed by the conservation and public presentation work undertaken by the Trust despite limited resources. We were equally impressed by the imagination the Trust display in making the site an important part of the community and in their ambition for the future”.

Andrew Martin, Trustee of the Rame Conservation Trust said “We welcome the support from the Fortress Study Group which will help us to present and explain the HAA Battery as an integral part of the military history of Maker Heights. This is only the start of our plans to manage vegetation growth, survey and restore the site which helped defend Plymouth from air raids in the Second World War”

1964 RAF Aerial View of the Maker Heights showing the 18th Century Redoubts and the World War Two Anti-Aircraft Battery

(Historic England Archive raf_58_6399_f66_0356)