Listed Building

The only legal part of the listing under the Planning (Listing Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 is the address/name of site. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing – see 'About Listed Buildings' below for more information. The further details below the 'Address/Name of Site' are provided for information purposes only.

Address/Name of Site

FORMER GAS DECONTAMINATION STATION BUILDING, LYNESS, HOYLB48353

Status: Designated

Documents

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Summary

Category
C
Date Added
31/01/2002
Local Authority
Orkney Islands
Planning Authority
Orkney Islands
Parish
Walls And Flotta
NGR
ND 30344 94709
Coordinates
330344, 994709

Description

Directorate of Works, circa 1939. Rectangular-plan brick gas decontamination station building set in open landscape to the west perimeter of the former Royal Naval base at Lyness. West elevation has an advanced central section with 2 openings, with a single opening in each of the wings set back to the right and left including a brick blast wall to the right. The north and south elevations have plain gable walls. The east elevation has an opening to right and left and no window openings. Flat roof, with raised central section (formerly a water tower) and brick stack. Roof level lowers slightly at the end bays. The interior was seen, 2013. Most internal fixtures and fittings have been removed, however the original floor plan is evident.

Statement of Special Interest

The former Gas Decontamination Station building is a good surviving example of its building type, and is part of an important group of buildings put in place to supply the Royal Navy stationed in Scapa Flow immediately before, during and after the Second World War. It forms part of a wider group with other significant military buildings associated with the First and Second World War in the area (see separate listings).

Decontamination stations were a common feature on most British military bases, however their survival is rare. While only 2 now remain at Lyness, 4 decontamination station buildings were originally constructed at Lyness to decontaminate those working with gases and chemicals. The other remaining building, to the south of Haybrake, is less well preserved. The station follows a standard type, however, there are few now remaining in Scotland.

The use of gas in war was outlawed by the Geneva Gas Protocol of 1925 (both Britain and Germany were signatories), but not its production and development. As a result the British Government developed gas weapons and designed methods of protection against their use. This included the construction of specialised buildings, so that in the event of such an attack, personnel who became gas casualties could receive first-aid decontamination treatment. The station formed part of the Passive Defence Office. The decontamination building was therefore designed for the treatment of all types of gases which were first developed during the First World War: lachrymatory agents; respiratory agents and blister agents.

Prior to the First World War, Britain was considered to be most at risk of attack from continental Europe and the British Navy was based on the south coast of England. However the changing political situation at the beginning of the 20th century meant that the threat changed to focus on the German Navy in the Baltic sea. It was this, combined with the geography of the Orkney Islands which was the impetus for moving part of the Grand Fleet to Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. Scapa Flow is is one of the world's largest natural harbours and it is mostly enclosed by surrounding islands, including Hoy, where Lyness overlooks Scapa Flow.

The enormous impact on the Orkney Islands of both World Wars has left us with an important legacy of military structures, many of which do not survive elsewhere in the UK.

By 1942 the naval base at Lyness supported thousands of military and civilian personnel. Lyness would become a self-contained town that provided accommodation, recreational and practical facilities for the number of service men and women who were stationed there during the First and Second World War.

Previously listed as 'Walls (Hoy), Lyness, Decontamination Shed'. Listed building record updated as part of the review of Lyness (2014).

References

Bibliography

Ordnance Survey. (Published 1948) Orkney Islands (South). 1 inch to the mile, popular. London: Ordnance Survey.

English Heritage (2003) Twentieth Century Military Sites.http://www.helm.org.uk/guidance-library/twentieth-century-military-sites/twentieth-century-military-sites.pdf

Francis, P. (1996) British Military Airfield Architecture: From Airships to the Jet Age. Yeovill: Patrick Stephens Limited. pp186-192.

Guy, J. (1993) Orkney Islands World War One and Two Defences. (Vol 2).

Hewison, W.S. (1985) This Great Harbour, Scapa Flow. Stromness: Orkney Press.

History of the Fleet Base, Scapa Flow 1937-1946. NMRS Archive, ADM 116/5790

Lowry, B. Ed. (1995) 20th Century defences in Britain. York: Council for British Archaeology.

http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/140889/ [accessed February 2014]

www.scapaflow.co [accessed February 2014]

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

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Printed: 28/03/2024 14:31