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Alton Avenue, WEST MALLING, ME19 4ES

The name of the road, which isn't really a square in the traditional sense, but incorporates a small square area part of the way along it.

Originally used as a landing area during the first World War, the site opened as a private landing ground and in 1930, then known as Kingshill, home to the Maidstone School of Flying, before being renamed West Malling Airfield, and, in 1932, Maidstone Airport. As war approached, the airfield was taken over by the military, to become RAF West Malling in 1940, serving in the front line against the Luftwaffe. The station saw further service after the war, first with some of the RAFs first jet squadrons, and later as US Naval Air Station. After closure as an operational air station in 1969, West Malling acquired a more civilian guise, hosting several major Great Warbirds Air Displays during the 70s and 80s, until eventually closing completely as an airfield. The site is now developing into a new village community of mixed residential, commercial, and civic amenities, but still retains several features of its military aviation heritage. (from http://military-genealogy.forcesreunited.org.uk/3035/RN_Air_Station_West_Malling ) The control tower now lays abandoned and waiting restoration and eventual new use.

During the Second World War, this square contained an air field. Since then, the area has been redeveloped and the air base now only remains in the name of surrounding buildings built since closure (The Spitfire, Pilot's Bistro). Geographically, this is one palpable reminder of the area's previous use - an air traffic control building, in the middle of a new housing estate. A listed building, it is believed that this building is about to be converted into a restaurant.