Monument record 1160/0/414 - County Emergency Centre, Wootton Hall Park

{1} Originally maintained in the basement of County Hall. Relocated to purpose built premises under the new County Record Office at Wootton Hall Park.

{2} Below the tier for central government, local authorities were required to esblish emergency HQs, specifically for use in the event of war, but they could also be used for other civil emergencies. Essentail function was to co-ordinate emergency relief in wartime and major peacetime emergencies. Provided accommodation for commanders of emergency services and until 1968 the Civil Defence Corps. All county and large independent boroughs created these HQs as did each district council. At county level most councils maintained 2 HQs, a county main and standby facility. Chronologically they fall into 2 main groups, first from c1950s to 1960s & the second those built in the 1980s.

No standard structural type exists for LA emergency centre. Some placed in strengthened basements of existing buildings with stanby generators and air filtration equipment. Where new council HQs being built the opportunity was often taken to install emergency centres in their basements. Less commonly, standalone protected emergency centrs were established. Until 1968 the Local Authorities (?) were responsible for organising Civil Defence Corps and facilities for its use may be found alongside LA accommodation. By early 1960s over 600,000 people, mainly volunteers, were available to undertake CD duties. The main construction period for LA emergency bunkers was from the early 1950s through to the early 1960s and throughout the 1980s. Some CD functions might utilise/occupy council yards. Purpose built Civil Defence facilities are rare.

{3} Under Sub-region 32 with Leicestershire is Northamptonshire. County Hall Northampton identified as the main wartime HQ with the standby HQ at Kettering.

<1> Carmichael C., 1996, Oral report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN39775.

<2> Cocroft W.D., 2001, Cold War Monuments: An Assessment by the Monuments Protection Programme, (unchecked) (Report). SNN101426.

<3> Campbell D., 1983, War Plan UK: The Truth About Civil Defence in Britain, Appendix 2 (unchecked) (Extract). SNN104601.

Record last edited

Oct 12 2007 3:45PM