by Nick Lillitos
nlillitos@thekmgroup.co.uk

Listed as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the world, a victim of sad neglect - and once the scene of a "couples party" - it sold for just £1.

Now millions of pounds are going to be spent transforming a historic Kent landmark into luxury tourist accommodation, providing the ultimate room with a view - 170 feet up.

It’s the neo-Gothic style Hadlow Tower, a Grade I-listed building, which is all that remains of Hadlow Castle which sits between Tonbridge and Maidstone.

Thanks to a long battle by local people who fought to protect it, the tower - used as lookout by the Home Guard in World War Two - is now facing a new lease of life.

It was recently bought by the Vivat Trust charity from Tonbridge and Malling Council. Now the charity plans to convert the tower’s 2nd to 5th floors into holiday accommodation with lift access.

Turning it into a 'living, working’ building, is expected to cost several million, with restoration partly funded by a £2million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Down at ground level, an action group which has campaigned tirelessly to have it restored is backing the trust by developing plans for a permanent visitor centre.

It’s being organised by Caroline Elcombe, chairman of Hadlow Tower Restoration, with a number of fund-raising activities, including a 'tower lottery’ and quiz nights.

“At long last, after a ten-year campaign, the restoration of Hadlow Tower has begun,” says the group.

“The scaffolding is going up and soon the tower will disappear under a cloak of blue plastic before gradually re-emerging in 2012 with its 40ft 'lantern’ replaced and the mouldings and decoration reinstated.”

So far they have raised some £50,000 but this sum needs to be matched again to meet their target figure.

For more info contactwww.hadlowtower.com