Residents who move into new homes on a former RAF base will be buying their own little piece of military history.

The base at Stanton Harcourt has been converted into a luxury development of 66 homes while the air raid and blast shelters, guard house, original water tower and the bomber training building have all been restored.

Street names reflect the historic planes of the time including Whitley Lane and Halifax Way and it former crew lockers are currently being renovated.

A heritage trail which will incorporate the airfield runway is planned.

Account manager Helen Chambers, 48, who lives on the new development, said: “We have a bunker here and the school children bury their own time capsules in it.

“It’s a good place to live because we are part of the nearby village and that link with history makes it a bit special.”

Until recently, the base was derelict, but the site was an active airfield during the Second World War.

It is notable for having been a departure point for Winston Churchill for the pivotal Casablanca Conference. It was also a starting point for a bomber raid on the German battleship Scharnhorst.

Re-named Hayfield Green, the mix of traditional brick, stone and render family houses and bungalows are set among 21 acres of landscaped open space.

Prices range from £495,000 to £650,000.

Developer Hayfield said the scheme has proved very popular with buyers from nearby RAF bases and science parks.

Kelly Sharman, sales and marketing director, said: “We have been conducting a number of viewings for officers based at nearby RAF Brize Norton. Research scientists who are relocating out of London and Yorkshire to work at one of Oxfordshire’s many science parks are also choosing to live at Hayfield Green.”

The company offers a discount scheme for key workers and armed forces personnel. The government’s Forces Help to Buy initiative is also available to help armed forces personnel raise a deposit and part-exchange is offered to all eligible buyers.

Cottsway, the district’s largest social housing provider, is providing 26 homes at the site.

Two of their apartments, which are for affordable rent, and the car port are part of the refurbished bomber training building.

Colin Bloodworth, assistant director of development and assets at Cottsway,, said “We’re delighted to be adding this historically significant building to our property portfolio. Great attention to detail has ensured the conversion is of the highest standard and the new one-bed apartments make the most of the height of the former training building and are extremely spacious.”

Cottsway can offer one, two and three bedroom homes on the scheme including 20 for affordable rent and six for shared ownership.