English Heritage - Thematic Listing Programme


In the mid 1990s, English Heritage established a long-term "Thematic Survey" of military aviation sites and structures. In May 2000, Jeremy Lake (project leader) published a Summery Report that listed a number of recommendations for buildings and structures to be listed.  This list was widely distributed and as a result by mid-2003 and some recommendations were dropped - mostly at the request of the Ministry of Defence. I would guess that it is unlikely that English Heritage will be adding to this list - unless at the request of a member of the public (concerned third party or owner).  

"Like all thematic surveys, this survey has been through a process of consultation. This was initiated in May 2000 at RAF Cranwell, and accompanied by the launch of the summary report with draft recommendations for listing. This report has been wisely circulated within the MOD, to all other owners and to all concerned local authorities. A reduction of the number of recommended structures (by 44 on the MOD estate - see below) resulted from this final phase of the thematic survey, benefitting in part from the consideration of UK sites within an international context, in addition to the development of conservation philosophy enshrined in Power of Place and Force for Our Future."

"The assessment of airfields and other military sites by English Heritage has increasingly come to reflect a unified approach to management and designation. The listing proposals arising from the thematic survey of military aviation sites have been through a long process of evaluation and consultation, which have highlighted the importance of focusing on key issues of historical importance and international context, in addition to formulating policies for the sustainable and long-term management of key sites." 

Jeremy Lake (English Heritage)
May 2003

Okay, we know that funds and resources are limited.  Subsequently we cannot save every building on every aerodrome.  We know that.  However, old Father Time has helped by whittling down the numbers.  We also know that both the Ministry of Defence and property developers in general don’t see preservation and conservation as priorities (within the context of this genre).  Listed Status helps, but with most buildings classed as Grade II – this statutory protection as a rule does not attract Heritage Lottery Funding.  However, the real danger is that this Thematic Survey can (and will) be used as an excuse or get-out-clause by the various bodies associated with, or who are confronted with our aviation heritage (or more accurately confronted by buggers like me).


Type "C" Hanger at former RAF Driffield

The preservation of one site contained within the Thematic Survey can be used as proof that something has been done – no matter how important the fight to save an another building or site is to an individual or community.  Politicians, Ministers and Civil Servants can and will use the aforementioned Thematic Survey to [in effect] wash their hands of any difficult (irritable) enquiry.  Hence the new catchphrase no doubt to be repeated by many a inept-politician, arse-licker or paper-pusher: “The MOD is working with English Heritage on its Historic Military Aviation Review and is playing its part in preserving important buildings and their settings identified for statutory protection.”  Excellent, but what about those buildings and sites not listed? - those buildings and sites which are as important as those listed below.  In effect, if the building or site you are fighting to save is not listed below, then you're on your own (see page two) - enjoy:

RAF BASSINGBOURN

Cambridgeshire 

Control Tower

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

BEKESBOURNE AERODROME

Kent

First World War Hangers (164-5/17) Design

Delisting Recommendation WITHDRAWN 

RAF BICESTER

Oxfordshire

Officer's Mess (Building 16)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Dining Room and Institute (Building 20)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Central Heating Plant (Building 22)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type H Barrack Blocks (Buildings 23 and 25)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Barrack Blocks Buildings 29, 42, 35 and 36)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Sergeant Pilot's Quarters (Building 28)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Sergeant's Mess (Building 31)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Airmen's Institute (Building 32)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Barrack Block (Building 33)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Sick Quarters (Buildings 43 and 46)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Decontamination Centre (Building 50) 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Ration and Adjutant Stores (Building 47)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Dining Room and Cookhouse (Building 48)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Cherwell House (Officer's Mess built in 1939)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type A Hangers (Buildings 79 and 137)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type C Hangers (Buildings 108 and 113)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Watch Office and Tower (Building 109)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Power House (Building 82)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Water Tower (Building 84)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Fire Party House (Building 87)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Guard and Fire Party House (Building 89)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Main Stores (Building 90)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Parachute Stores (Building 92)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Lubricant Store (Building 96)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Main Workshops (Building 99)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Spotlight Turret Trainer (Building 101)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Engine Test House (Building 102)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Link Trainer (Building 103)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Lecture Rooms and Armoury (Building 123)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

MT Sheds (Buildings 129, 130 and 131)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Special Repair Bay Shed (Building 135)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Station HQ and Op Block (Buildings 146/147)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF BIGGIN HILL

Greater London

Officer's Mess

Grade II Listed (21st March 1994)

Telephone Block

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Battle of Britain Memorial Chapel 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Vincent Square AMQs (26 houses)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Barrack Blocks (Buildings 1 to 5)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Sick Quarters (Building 7)

Grade II Recommendation NOT CONFIRMED

Airmen's Institute (Building 10)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Hawkinge Barrack Block

Grade II Recommendation ADDED

Station HQ (Building 33)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF BRACEBRIDGE HEATH

Lincolnshire

Triple Aircraft Hanger

Grade II Listed DEMOLISHED in 2001

RAF CALSHOT

Hampshire

Sopwith Hanger

Grade II* Listed

Schneider Hanger

Grade II* Listed

Sunderland Hanger

Grade II* Listed

Barrack Block

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Coastguard Building (No.44)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF CARDINGTON

Bedford

No.1 Airship Shed

Grade II* Listed 

No.2 Airship Shed

Grade II* Listed

RAF CATTERICK

North Yorkshire

1920s Bomb Store (Building 3)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

First World War Hangers (Set of Four)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Watch Office (Building 68) 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Watch Office with Tower and Met Office

Grade II Recommendation ADDED

Type C Hangers (Buildings 58 and 59)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Officer's Mess (Building 31)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Station HQ (Building 46)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Operations Block (Building 124)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF COSFORD

Shropshire

Fulton Block (1,000 Bed Barrack Block) 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF CRANWELL

Lincolnshire

College Hall (Building 44)

Grade II* Upgrade Approved by DCMS

Main Gates, Lodges and Railings

Grade II Listed

"IOT" Headquarters (Building 16)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

CFS Headquarters (Building 259)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Officer's Mess - York House (Building 279)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF DEBDEN

Essex

Operations Block (Battle of Britain)

Grade II* Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF DUNKESWELL

Devon

Watch Office (Building 25)

Grade II Listed (October 2002)

Fire Tender Shed (Building 22)

Grade II Listed (October 2002)

Floodlight Trailer & Tractor Shed (Building 24)

Grade II Listed (October 2002)

Operations Block and Office (Building 166)

Grade II Listed (October 2002)

Crew Briefing Room (Building 165)

Grade II Listed (October 2002)

Aircraft Maintenance Workshops (No.66/67)

Grade II Recommendation NOT CONFIRMED

T2 Hanger (Building 68)

Grade II Recommendation NOT CONFIRMED

RAF DUXFORD

Cambridgeshire

Central Heating Station (Building 4)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Barrack Blocks Buildings 7, 8, 9 and 13)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Station Sick Quarters (Building 10)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Airmen Pilot's Block (Building 11)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Barrack Block (Building 147)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Officer's Mess (Building 45)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Squash Court (Building 46)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Decontamination Centre (Building 103)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Airmen's Barrack Block (Building 213)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Airmen's Barrack Block (Building 215)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Ration Store (Building 132)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Sergeant's Mess (building 288)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Officer Married Quarters (Nos 19, 20, 29-31)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

First World War Hangers (Set of Three)

Grade II* Upgrade Approved by DCMS

Flight Offices (Buildings 87 and 89)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Stores (Buildings 63 and 66)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Brick Technical Huts (Buildings 55-59, 292)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Workshops (Buildings 72)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

MT Sheds and Workshops (Buildings 73/74)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Workshop and Parachute Store (Building 80)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Wartime Control Tower (Building 209)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Petrol Tanker Sheds (Building 70)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Machine Gun Test Bed (Building 105)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Station Offices (Building 61)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Operations Block (Building 59)

Grade II* Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Guardhouse (Building 62)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Works Services (Building 48

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF EASTCHURCH 

Kent

Four Hangers (Steel Framed - circa 1910)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF EAST KIRBY

Lincolnshire

Wartime Control Tower

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF ELVINGTON

North Yorkshire

Wartime Control Tower

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAE FARNBOROUGH

Hampshire

Fabric Shop (Part of Building Q65)

Grade II Listed

Transonic Wind Tunnel (Building R133)

Grade II Listed

24th Wind Tunnel (Building Q121)

Grade II* Listed

Building R51 (former 1910 balloon shed roof)

Grade II Listed

Royal Engineers HQ (Building G1)

Grade II Listed

Aircraft Hanger - RFC Design circa 1915

Grade II Listed

FILTON

Bristol

Triple Belfast Trussed Hanger

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Aircraft Hanger - Royal Engineers designed

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

HAINAULT FARM

Essex

Hanger - Home Defence Station (pre 1918)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF HALTON

Buckinghamshire

Barrack Blocks (31 in Total) 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Multipurpose Amenities Centre (Building 22)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Henderson Institute (Building 24)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Groves Institute (Building 25) 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Henderson Sergeant's Mess (Building 26)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Groves Sergeant's Mess (Building 27)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Henderson Apprentice's Mess (Building 29)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Groves Apprentice's Mess (Building 30)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Drill Shed (Building 73)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

RAF HENDON

London Borough of Barnet

Grahame-White Hanger

Grade II Listed

Former Gates to Grahame-White Factory

Grade II Listed

Officer's Mess

Grade II Listed

Control Tower + Factory + Factory Offices

Grade II Listed

Belfast Hangers (RAF Museum)

Grade II Listed

RAF HENLOW

Bedfordshire

Double Span Belfast Hangers (Set of Four)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Coupled General Service Shed (Building 190)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Control Tower (Building 549)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Officer's Mess (Building 370 with 330)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

HOOTON PARK

Merseyside

General Service Hangers

Grade II* Upgrade Approved by DCMS

Workshops (Building 27)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

1918 Motor Transport Sheds

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF HUCKNALL

Nottinghamshire

Belfast Hangers 1 & 2  (Paired Twin Trusses)

Grade II Listed

Belfast Hangers 3 & 4  (Paired Twin Trusses)

Grade II Listed

RAF HULLAVINGTON

Wiltshire

Type C Hangers (Buildings 3, 6 and 7)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Control Tower (Building 4)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Instructional Gas Chamber (Building 9)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Main Stores (Building 20)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Lubricant Store (Building 22)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Parachute Store (Building 23)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

MT Workshops (Building 24)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Central Heating Station (Building 25)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

MT Sheds (Building 28)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Works Dept. and Water Tower (Building 30)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Ration Store (Building 31)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Station Church and Offices (Building 32)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Institute (Building 33)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Type Q Barracks (Buildings 43, 46, 48 & 50)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Station HQ (Building 47)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Officer's Mess (Buildings 59-61) 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Gates and Features to Officer's Mess 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Guardroom and Fire House (Building 66)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Gymnasium (Building 98)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Main Gates and Features to RAF Station

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Stores (Building 120)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Guardroom - ASU Site (Building 77)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Boiler House - ASU Site (Building 78)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Workshops - ASU Site (Building 79)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Stores - ASU Site (Building 80)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Station Offices - ASU Site (Building 81)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Canteen - ASU Site (Building 82)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type C Hanger - ASU Site (Building 9)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type D Hanger - Site "B" (Building 85?)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Type E Hanger - Site "E" (Building 85?)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

RAF KEMBLE

Wiltshire

Works Dept. and Water Tower (Building 6)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type D Hanger - Main Site (Buildings M1)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type D Hanger - Main Site (Buildings M2)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type C Hanger - Main Site (Buildings M3)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Two Lamella Hangers - Site "A"

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Two Lamella Hangers - Site "B"

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type E Hangers - Site "C"

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type D Hangers - Site "D"

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Type L Hangers - Site "E"

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF KENLEY

London Borough of Croydon

Officer's Mess

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Airmen's Institute

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

LARKHILL

Wiltshire

Series of Five Hangers (Buildings 455 & 456)

Grade II* Recommendation Approved by DCMS

HMS DAEDALUS (LEE-ON-SOLENT)

Hampshire

Type J Hangers (Buildings 31, 35 and 37)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Westcliffe House

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Officer's Mess (Building 118)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Dining Rooms and Cookhouse (Building 91)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF LITTLE STAUGHTON

Bedfordshire

Wartime Control Tower

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF LITTLE WALDEN

Essex

Wartime Control Tower

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF LUDHAM

Norfolk

Control Tower

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Watch Office 

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF MANBY

Lincolnshire

Three-Story Barrack Blocks (Set of Six)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Dining Room and Institute (Buildings 21/21a)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Officer's Mess and Chalets

Grade II* Upgrade Approved by DCMS

Sergeant's Mess (Building 19)

Grade II Listed

1918 Hanger (Building 38a)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

RAF NORTH LUFFENHAM

Rutland

Type J Hangers (Set of Two)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

RAF NORTHOLT

London Borough of Hillington

Workshops (Building 13)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Operations Block (Building 27)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Officer's Mess (Building 70)

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Station HQ

Grade II Recommendation Approved by DCMS

Barrack Blocks (Buildings 66 and 67)

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN

Types A and C Hangers and Watch Office

Grade II Recommendation WITHDRAWN