PLANS to reopen a former Cold War airbase as a visitor centre are expected to reach £800,000 after a council's latest application for funding.

Greenham Parish Council requested a £100,000 loan to finish the project to restore Greenham Control Tower, which has been out of use since 1992.

The council ran out of money for the project last year after receiving a government grant of £421,000.

Several aspects of the original building, including the viewing gallery at the top of tower, are expected to be retained.

The Grade II listed tower on Greenham Common was built in the early 1950s and it is hoped the new facility will include a new cafe, public toilets and space for school visits.

The Parish Council is inviting applications for a new project manager to oversee the development and ensure it reopens later this year.

Councillor Jon Gage, chairman of the council's Control Tower Committee, said: "We are looking for a highly skilled project manager who is used to dealing with historic buildings and is sympathetic to the council's vision of providing a first-class community facility at the control tower.

"The tender is live now and we hope to appoint by the middle of May.

"We are currently carrying out a residents' survey about the project, which is providing useful feedback to how residents want to use the facility.

"We know that the Common is already a well-used asset. Hundreds of people use Greenham Common every day and their visiting experience will be greatly enhanced when this building is open."

They have agreed to apply for extra funding following a meeting on Wednesday, April 12.

Work to install a Cold War exhibition is nearly complete, but structural repairs have been more expensive than initially thought, leading to concerns from residents of overspending.