§ Mr. AllasonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what grounds he has refused to add Bletchley park and the historic huts sited in its grounds to the statutory list; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. KeyMy decision not to list the huts at Bletchley park was based on advice from English Heritage, my statutory professional advisers.
The great historical importance of the events which took place at Bletchley park is fully appreciated, but English Heritage's advice is that the huts are of no architectural significance in themselves and do not illustrate the events that took place there. No original machines or other fixtures survive.
Bletchley park house, the headquarters building of the operational centre, is a listed building; and the whole of the site has been designated a conservation area. This means that demolition of any of the huts would require consent from the local planning authority.