A former RAF base where award-winning cadets were once trained has been labelled a “death trap” after it was targeted by arsonists and vandals.

Once home to the air cadets in 1039 Squadron, the buildings in Marlborough Road, Gillingham, have been covered in graffiti, had windows smashed and set on fire.

Condoms and piles of litter, including needles, are scattered across its floors.

One person, who took footage of the site and wishes to remain anonymous, explained: “The property was once boarded up, but an entrance has emerged recently.

“There have been multiple fires in there which have been set up deliberately – and groups of children and the public go in there.

“There’s mess like needles, rats, vapes, clothes, burnt walls, crumbling rubble and concrete.

“It’s unsafe and literally a death trap for young and old people, and an eyesore to this area of Gillingham.

“It was cleared out in 2017 and looks completely different now – now it’s a total mess and death trap.

“The entrance to the building is also visible from the Great Lines Heritage Park.

“You just have to go through bushes to go in, but there is reportedly asbestos in there [too].”

The property, which sits on the junction of Brompton Road, in the corner of Great Lines Heritage Park, contains a number of derelict buildings and was targeted by arsonists last month.

It was once the home of one of the country’s most successful RAF groups for more than 60 years – the 1039 (Gillingham) Squadron.

Information on its website says: “Most of 1039 (Gillingham) Squadron’s former cadets spent their cadet career at the Marlborough Road headquarters.

“From 1951 until 2014, the building saw thousands of young people pass through its doors as they enjoyed all that the RAF Air Cadets has to offer.

“Between 1955 and 1987, 1039 was put forward for the Lees Trophy for the best squadron in the country five times, winning the trophy in 1955.

“At the forefront of change, 1039 was one of the first squadrons to accept girls when new regulations came into effect in 1985.

“Until then, only boys could enjoy the extensive opportunities and benefits that the RAF Air Cadets have to offer.

“Marlborough Road saw cadets for the last time on January 31, 2014.”

The buildings, which total 24,300 sq m, are now privately owned, having been sold at auction for £224,000 in March 2021.

Planning permission was granted prior to the sale for the construction of a single-storey nursery school.

However, a spokesman for Medway Council says these plans were not implemented, meaning permission has now lapsed.

The council is now attempting to contact the new owners to discuss their intentions.

As the property is “adversely affecting the amenity of the neighbourhood” a site investigation will also take place in the near future to see what action may be taken.

This is something welcomed by council leader Cllr Vince Maple (Lab) who says a Section 215 order may need to be issued.

This is a directive from a local planning authority to issue a maintenance notice when the condition of land or buildings affects the amenity of an area.

The notice can be used to require the owner or occupier to deal with the poor state of a building.

The representative for the Chatham Central and Brompton ward, which includes the derelict plot, said: “I am certainly concerned about any site in my ward having such situations ongoing.

“Obviously the council does enforce against operators or landlords if there is excessive untidiness of that nature for example.

“I don’t know who the new owner is, but because of its unkept state the council may issue a Section 215 order.

“There is a level of responsibility which comes with such a purchase to make sure it is safe and secure.

“The council has served these notices before, but of course it’s a long process and not something done overnight.

“If that happens, the owner would bring the site up to a standard which is acceptable.”

Following the fire last month, one person described the area as “extremely dangerous”.

They commented: “I live near the park and see a large group of people out there every day, and they go in all the time – some are children.

“I’ve been in there myself to have a look at how it is and it’s disgusting.

“Trolleys, a huge amount of rubbish all over the place, and needles on the ground. God knows what else.

“It’s a severely dangerous place.”

KentOnline has been unable to locate the owner.