Migrant crisis: Dambusters' home give huge boost in asylum seeker battle
RAF Scampton has been granted listed status
PA
A historic building at the former RAF Scampton airbase has been granted Grade II listing by Britain’s leading heritage organisation.
The Officer’s Mess was used by Wing Commander Guy Gibson and the men of 617 Squadron during the time of the Dambuster’s Raids.
It means the building and area around it will be protected in law from alteration with any change requiring planning permission.
Historic England describes buildings with listed status as having a “special architectural or historic interest considered to be of national importance and therefore worth protecting.”
WATCH: The protesters trying to protect RAF Scampton
Grade II is the second of three protective standards granted by Historic England. Part of the base, including 4 Type-C Hangars, is already protected to the same standard.
West Lindsey District Council applied for listed status amidst growing concern for the condition of heritage assets at the old RAF airbase.
Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Trevor Young, said the building’s new status is a good step.
He said: “This recognition of the high degree of special historical interest, specifically the base’s role in some of the most famous actions of World War II, is a really positive outcome for the site, particularly as there remains an element of uncertainty around its short-term future.”
RAF Scampton's mess hall has been granted listed status
RAF Scampton's mess hall was used by Wing Commander Guy Gibson and the men of 617 Squadron during the time of the Dambuster’s Raids
The Home Office is currently working to house 2000 asylum seekers at the site, but the Lincolnshire council has criticised the government department for building portacabins and infrastructure despite presenting it with a legally binding Stop Notice.
The council has been locked in a battle with the Home Office over the future of RAF Scampton since the plan to house asylum seekers at the base was announced in March.
The council says Home Office plans jeopardise a £300m regeneration plan at the airfield.
Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning and Regeneration at West Lindsey District Council said: “The newly listed status of the building will provide an additional safeguard for another important building on the site, and for that we are grateful.”
On October 31st West Lindsey and Braintree Council in Essex will go to the High Court for a judicial review which will decide if work at Scampton and RAF Wethersfield is lawful.
In a statement a Home Office spokesperson said: “Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites provides cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats whilst helping to reduce the use of hotels.
“We are confident our project, which will house asylum seekers in basic, safe and secure accommodation, meets the planning requirements.
“The Home Office has made it clear from the outset of this project that it recognises its responsibilities to take appropriate steps to ensure that the heritage assets at RAF Scampton are protected and preserved, and security and operational management plans will be put in place to support this.”
The Officer’s Mess was built in 1936 during rapid expansion of Britain’s military assets in response to Nazi Germany’s rise during the pre-war period.
In Historic England’s official listing report, it said: “The Officers' Mess at Scampton is a Type B mess (for medium bomber stations), built from a design produced in 1934 by Air Ministry Architect Archibald Bulloch. It was designed to accommodate 36-45 officers in the mess itself, with 28 in the accommodation wings either side.”
“RAF Scampton was visited in May 1943 by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, on which occasion they ate lunch in the Officers' Mess.”