Listed buildings owned or controlled by GCHQ

Protective Marking: UNCLASSIFIED

Dear Mr Aleck

Thank you for your email of 21st December in which you ask for the following information under the Environmental Information Regulations:

1)Please can you provide me with a list of listed buildings by
grade (or a summary count where the specific disclosure is not
possible).

2) how does GCHQ manage modifications to the buildings to preserve
their heritage?

3) Which of these buildings are available for public tours/visits?

We can confirm that GCHQ's headquarters in Cheltenham and its second smaller site in Cheltenham, plus its sites in Cornwall and Yorkshire are not listed buildings. In reliance upon section 12(6) of the Regulations we would neither confirm nor deny whether we own or control any further properties which may or may not be listed, as a confirmation or denial could adversely affect national security (as referred to in paragraph 12(5)(a) of the Regulations).

In applying this exception we have had to balance the public interest in withholding the information against the public interest in disclosure. Under the Intelligence Services Act 1994, GCHQ can exercise its statutory functions in the interests of national security, with particular reference to the defence and foreign policies of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. Release of the information which you requested, in combination with other publically available information, could indicate the locations where GCHQ may, or may not, exercise its statutory functions. Further, the release of such information could attract unwanted attention from those whose interests are contrary to the national security of the UK. We consider that the need to mitigate against potential national security vulnerabilities outweighs the public interest in assuring the public that GCHQ is meeting any obligations it may be under to manage any listed buildings which it may or may not own or control.

Regarding part 3 of your request, you may be aware that GCHQ's precursor, GC&CS, was based at Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes. The building is not owned or controlled by GHCQ but it is open for public tours/visits. You can find more information by visiting their website http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/.

If you are unhappy with the way in which this request has been handled, you may ask for an internal review. Please contact Head of Information Rights at [email address] who will arrange an internal review of your case. Under Regulation 11(2) this needs to be done no later than 40 working days after the date of this email.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the
right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The
Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

If you have any queries about this email please contact me.

Kind regards
Head of Information Rights

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