What is a Local List?

A Local List identifies buildings and structures with architectural, historical and cultural significance which enrich and enliven the character of a place.

It is one way in which local communities can record and celebrate the breadth of the local historic environment, by highlighting those buildings that make a positive contribution to their surroundings.

The buildings and structures included within a Local List are ‘non-designated heritage assets’. This means they are not ‘Listed Buildings’ on the Statutory List maintained by Historic England, but they are recognised to have significance that is important locally, and which will be taken into account when determining planning applications.

Local listing does not introduce a requirement to obtain any additional permissions over and above those that are already required. Inclusion on the Local List means that the building’s conservation as a heritage asset of historic and/or architectural importance is a material consideration when a planning authority decides a planning application. Proposals for change will be decided taking a balanced judgement having regard to the scale of any harm or loss and the significance of the heritage asset.

Why publish a Local List?

Rother District Council does not currently have a Local List but other nearby local authorities do, including Eastbourne and Hastings.

Local planning authorities have a duty to set out a, ‘positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment’ and the Local List is one of the ways of achieving this.

A local list highlights and promotes the rich history of a place, and it is an opportunity for local councils to work with local communities to better understand what built heritage is valued by residents.

It should also act as a source of general information to those interested in the history and heritage of a place.

It also acts as a key reference document when assessing planning applications that may impact locally listed buildings.

What is included within a Local List?

The Sainsbury's Concrete Mural is an example of public artwork

Bexhill Cemetery's lodge and entrance gates

A Local List includes built structures that have historical, architectural and cultural significance to their immediate surroundings and to the town or district as a whole, which it is considered desirable to preserve or enhance for future generations.

They can include:

• Buildings
• Infrastructure
• Shopfronts
• Street furniture
• Walls
• Public artworks

Individual buildings within conservation areas may be included in the Local List to reinforce their individual value, and to supplement the information found in conservation area appraisal and management plan documents.

Building uses in their own right are not included, but an ongoing original use may contribute to the overall significance of a building and may support the case for local listing, if it can be demonstrated it meets the other criteria.

Buildings and structures that have been statutory listed by Historic England are not eligible for inclusion, as these buildings already have greater protection in the planning process, and inclusion in the Local List would be an unnecessary duplication. Information on statutory listed buildings within Bexhill can be found on Historic England’s website.

Natural landscapes, trees, habitats and views are not included as they would be subject to more appropriate designations, such as Tree Preservation Orders.

A Local List identifies buildings and structures with architectural, historical and cultural significance which enrich and enliven the character of a place.

How can I nominate a building to be added to Bexhill Heritage's Draft Local List?

Anyone can nominate a building, structure or open space in a local planning authority to be considered for local listing - this could include building owners and occupiers or anyone in the community. All nominations will be considered against the criteria set out below, and if it is deemed to be of sufficient significance the building, structure or open space will be added to Bexhill Heritage's Draft Local List. Once this is complete the Draft List will be submitted to Rother District Council for their assessment. Local Listing nominations should be sent to Bexhill Heritage by post or email [email protected] and should include:

• Full address or a location map of the building, structure or open space if it has no address;
• Clear, up-to-date photographs of the main elevations of the building, structure or open space;
• Any information about the building, structure or open space (e.g. the date it was built, the name of the architect etc.);
• Details of any specialised function (such as industrial use) or historical associations;
• Details of the local listing criteria with which the building, structure or open space is considered to comply;
• How the building fits in with and enhances its location.

Principles of Selection criteria for additions to the Draft Local List

In order to more accurately reflect the full range of Bexhill's historic environment, the contributions made by all categories of heritage assets need to be taken into consideration. All unlisted buildings, structures or historic street furniture are eligible for consideration for inclusion. The criteria for inclusion will essentially be whether, by virtue of any inherent architectural or historic interest, or by forming part of an interesting group, they make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of an area. Buildings of all ages can be considered for inclusion, although the more recent their date, the more strictly the selection criteria will be applied. Contribution to the street scene can be as worthy of consideration as individual architectural merit. Particularly important will be street corner buildings, which successfully exploit their location as a focus for views.

Selection criteria for a ‘Locally Listed’ building - these are based upon the recommendations of Historic England in their Good Practice guidance on Local Heritage Listing: Identifying and Conserving Local Heritage.

1. Asset type - all heritage asset types, including buildings, monuments, sites, places, means of enclosure, parks, gardens and designed landscapes may be considered for inclusion.
2. Age - the age of an asset may be an important criterion, and the age range can be adjusted to take into account distinctive local characteristics or building traditions. Its rarity as a building type, use or architectural style may also be an appropriate reason for inclusion.
3. Architectural and Artistic Interest - the intrinsic design and aesthetic value of an asset relating to local and/or national styles, materials, construction and craft techniques, or any other distinctive characteristics.
4. Group Value - groupings of assets with a clear visual design or historic relationship.
5. Archaeological Interest - the local heritage asset may provide evidence about past human activity in the locality, which may be in the form of buried remains, but may also be revealed in the structure of buildings or in a designed landscape, for instance. Heritage assets with archaeological interest are primary sources of evidence about the substance and evolution of places, and of the people and cultures that made them.
6. Historic Interest - a significant historical association of local or national note, including links to important local figures, may enhance the significance of a heritage asset. Blue Plaque and similar schemes may be relevant. Social and communal interest may be regarded as a sub-set of historic interest but has special value in local listing. As noted in the PPG: ‘Heritage assets … can also provide meaning for communities derived from their collective experience of a place and can symbolise wider values such as faith and cultural identity’. It therefore relates to places perceived as a source of local identity, distinctiveness, social interaction and coherence, contributing to the ‘collective memory’ of a place.
7. Landmark Status - an asset with strong communal or historical associations, or because it has especially striking aesthetic value, may be singled out as a landmark within the local scene.
8. Landscape interest - planned public open spaces may have important heritage assets such as gates, railings, walls, pavilions, bandstands, bridges, walled gardens and water features.