Bletchley Park building that housed Engima team given Grade II status

The building at Bletchley Park where the German's Engima Code was cracked, giving the allies a decisive advantage in the Second World War, has been given Grade II listed status, acknowledging its importance in UK history.

The building, first occupied in 1942, was the site of some of the first high-speed data processing machines used on an industrial scale that helped to vastly improve the code-breaking efforts of those at Bletchley Park during the war.

The decision to give the building protected status was made by tourism and heritage minister John Penrose, who said the work that took place in the building meant it was vital the nation protected its future.

"It is important the fabric of the building as well as the history surrounding the work of so many people inside those four walls is protected for future generations," he said.

"Block C clearly merits the extra protection against unsuitable alteration or development that listing provides."

Simon Greenish, chief executive of the Bletchley Park Trust, welcomed the announcement from the government, claiming it was another vital step in the ongoing work to improve and promote the site.

"This is further endorsement of Bletchley Park as a site of enormous national significance," he said.

"Although Block C is currently derelict, if our fundraising goes according to plan, we may be able to begin restoration in the spring to restore it and bring it into use as a world-class visitor centre and exhibition space."

The announcement is the latest piece of good news for Bletchley after it received a donation of £550,000 from Google in December to help towards a £15m development project aimed at restoring the site to its former glory.

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