MOD has a rich and diverse historic environment on its UK estate and overseas. It is responsible for over half of the Government’s historic environment assets, a valuable proportion of the Nation’s heritage. It is diverse, ranging from prehistoric monuments and tenanted farmhouses on the Training Estate; to Horse Guards Parade and MOD Main Building in Whitehall; to the historic dockyards, barrack blocks and iconic World War II airfields. Recently, statutory protection has also been extended to 20th Century military structures reflecting the increasing historic importance placed on the two World Wars and the Cold War.
In the UK, MOD is responsible for over 800 listed buildings and 700 scheduled monuments; in excess of 10,000 archaeological monuments and eight Registered Parks and Gardens. Areas of the MOD estate fall within 10 UK World Heritage Sites and a number of MOD sites have been designated as, or are within Local Planning Authority Conservation Areas. Overseas, MOD is responsible for important historic environment features such as the classical remains on the Cyprus Sovereign bases, historic buildings of Gibraltar and a number of features on training areas in Germany.
MOD Main Building, Whitehall
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What is Historic Environment?
MOD considers the historic environment in its widest context both in the UK and overseas, on land and at sea. This includes:
features which receive statutory protection such as listed buildings, scheduled monuments and conservation area;
features that are protected through the planning system such as field monuments, World Heritage Sites, Historic Battlefields and Historic Parks and Garden;
Those features that are considered to be of “heritage and ethos” value to MOD;
historic landscapes (ranging from prehistoric landscapes to military airfields);
other local listed or vernacular heritage estate features such as traditional farm buildings and field walls in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and Maritime archaeology including designated wreck sites.
Chalk image of Kiwi
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MOD heritage and ethos sites are defined as:
"A location, facility, building or structure in, on, over, under or from which a commendable event or events of significance in the history of the Services or Defence, and pertaining to its ethos, occurred or to which it is directly associated”.
Naval wrecks and RAF, and foreign air force, crash sites both on land and at sea.
Service memorials, including War Memorials.
MOD has inherited many of its historic environment sites, for example the pre-historic archaeology on Salisbury Plain or country houses. As the guardian for these important assets, MOD is responsible for their stewardship. However, MOD and its forerunners have also created their own history through significant events that are reflected on the estate such as the Trenchard and Cold War airfields; the historic dockyards and barracks; together with iconic training centres such as RMA Sandhurst and the Britannia Royal Naval College.
Archaeological dig showing skeleton of Saxon warrior and horse at RAF Lakenheath
Suffolk County Council
There are also an important range of historic environment features that are not statutorily protected but are nevertheless of heritage interest both to MOD and to local communities. Examples include, the sound mirrors on Hythe Ranges, the chalk ANZAC cap badges on Salisbury Plain and includes local signage and street furniture. MOD recognises the importance of these features to the Services and also to local communities. Factsheets on MOD heritage assets are found in Related Pages
Aerial view of Fort George
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It is policy to sustainably manage and continually improve the estate, including the heritage assets. Heritage plays an important role in improving the quality of life for those who work and live on the estate and its role is recognised in enhancing the ethos of the services. As a Government Department, the MOD has a duty to be exemplar in the management of its historic estate and had adopted the DCMS Protocol of the Care of the Government Historic Estate. Policy, strategy and guidance on managing the MOD’s heritage assets are found in Related Pages.
Blue Streak Launch Platform
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MOD works closely with its statutory advisers (especially English Heritage, Historic Scotland and Cadw) and Local Planning Authorities on the management of its heritage. Progress on the management of MOD’s heritage is reported within a number of publications including the biennial MOD Heritage Report which can be found in Related Pages.