Local List

The statutory framework for the protection of the historic environment generally adopts selection criteria which favour sites and buildings of national importance:

• The Statutory List effectively excludes buildings of only ‘local’ importance and severely restricts the number of post 1840 buildings included.
• The Schedule of Ancient Monuments only includes remains of national significance.
• The Register of Parks and gardens only considers landscapes in their national context.

Local authorities can designate conservation areas to help protect the character and appearance of groups of buildings and areas of local interest but this still leaves many elements of the wider historic environment, especially many individual buildings of 19th and 20th century date, with no formal recognition or protection. These are often valued by the community as an important part of the local heritage of the city.

The Council adopted the Local List in March 2000 and it currently contains 154 entries. These are mainly buildings but there are also parks, gardens and visible archaeological sites on the list. The Local List is not complete and new additions are made on a regular basis as research is done and suggestions from the public are received.

What is the effect of Local Listing?

Although there are no additional statutory controls over properties that are included on the Local List the Council will encourage owners to preserve the special qualities that have resulted in their inclusion and will encourage restoration where there is good evidence.

If planning permission is needed for any kind of development that would affect a local list site, such as an extension to a building, the Council will expect applicants to take into account the special architectural or historic interest of the site when preparing their proposals. The Council will also resist proposals that would result in the demolition of a building on the Local List.

If a local list building is located within a conservation area additional planning controls apply. In addition, Article 4 Directions may restrict works that can be undertaken without the benefit of planning permission on some Local List sites.