In order for a building to be statutorily listed it must be
‘special’ enough to warrant recognition at a national level – in
simple terms: it must have sufficient ‘special’ interest whether it
is in Bideford or Berwick, Chester or Chelmsford. The criteria by
which buildings are considered for statutory listing are extensive
and can best be viewed on English Heritage’s
website (opena new window).
South Staffordshire has some 850 statutory listed buildings,
ranging in size from Patshull Hall, with over 100 rooms on 3
storeys and 2 basements, to humble cast iron mileposts on the
Shropshire Union Canal just 12 inches high!
Today there is increasing recognition that the built heritage is
not restricted solely to nationally important buildings. Locally,
many thousands of buildings, both individually and collectively,
add a rich diversity to the national picture.
Many of these reflect local building styles and materials, or
the influence of owners, architects and builders whose individual
styles and characteristics are peculiar to an area. They contribute
enormously to ‘local distinctiveness’ and without them the special
interest of an area can be greatly diminished.
Whilst currently there is no legislation for locally listed
buildings, the Draft Heritage Bill, published in April 2008,
recognises the importance of special local interest. When this Bill
is enacted it will place a duty on local authorities to publish
criteria by which registrable structures will be determined to be
of special local interest.
South Staffordshire Council will prepare, publish and maintain a
List of Buildings of Special Local Interest – a ‘Local List’.
This will identify local buildings and structures important in
their archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic terms and
take action to preserve them as far as possible. Items included
will range from houses, shops and schools, to transport structures
and townscape features, such as shelters and post boxes or statues
and monuments.
In publishing its Local List the Council will determine whether
a structure is of special local interest by reference to the
following criteria: -
Age and rarity
If the building was built …
- from individual designs by a local or locally important
architect?
- before 1840 and survives in anything like its original
condition?
- between 1840 and 1919 (i.e. Victorian or Edwardian) and: -
- retains many of its original features?
- is it of sufficient quality to distinguish
it from other buildings of the same period in the District?
- between 1919 and 1939 and: -
- is it a good example of the style of the
period, or
- is it an example of a particular building
type that became more popular in the period?
- between 1939 and 1945 and: -
- is it a rare surviving example of a wartime
structure?
- between 1946 and 1977 and: -
- is it a building of exceptional quality and
design?
Historic interest
Is the building or structure …
- associated with an important historic figure locally or
nationally?
- a fine or rare example that illustrates social or economic
history
- something which illustrates an important part of the District’s
cultural history?
- a good example of ‘town planning’?
- an important part of the District’s industrial history?
Architectural interest
Is the building or structure …
- the work of an architect of national importance?
- the work of an architect important to the District?
- an example of a style of building unique to the local
area?
- part of a group of buildings that together form a good
surviving example of a historic architectural style?
- a good early example of a particular technological innovation
in a building type or technique?
- an example of street furniture or other structures (boundary
stones, post boxes, memorials, lamp posts, telephone kiosks,
statues) or similar?
- a rare surviving example of street furniture that makes a
positive contribution to the special architectural or historic
interest of the local area?
- important in terms of local history?
Grades
Three grades of local listing will be used: -
Grade LL A
These are buildings and structures considered to be of such
interest that they should be put forward for statutory listing. If
there is an imminent threat to these buildings or structures,
either from major alterations or demolition, the Council will
consider:
- making an application to English Heritage for Spot
Listing;
- serving a Building Preservation Notice (BPN) to secure its
preservation, and/or;
- making an Article 4 direction to control alterations to the
building.
Grade LL B
These buildings or structures have a particular local
significance from events or periods of history. They will be
largely unaltered examples of their kind that fall outside of the
national periods for listing but make a contribution to South
Staffordshire’s character either in rural areas or in villages
where they are important elements in street scenes.
These may be in conservation areas or elsewhere and are
buildings that warrant positive efforts to ensure their retention.
Development proposals for such buildings or structures will be
carefully considered and there will be a presumption in favour of
their retention. In certain cases the Council will consider making
an Article 4 direction to control alterations to these
buildings.
Grade LL C
These are buildings or structures which have a certain interest
but whose retention may not be warranted. In such cases, where
demolition, alteration or removal is proposed, an accurate drawn
and/or photographic record of the building or structure will be
required.
In addition to any survey work that the Council may carry out,
an important part of the compilation of the Local List is the role
played by local people and organisations in nominating buildings,
structures and other items for possible inclusion on it. In making
nominations for inclusion, you should refer to the criteria set out
in this leaflet as a guide to the kinds of things that you might
look for: -
Buildings and sites in South Staffordshire that are important to
you:
- What buildings or places in your area do you like?
- What buildings or places do you find interesting?
- What buildings or places would you be sorry to lose?
Buildings, structures or places that contribute positively to
the environment of a village or local area by being:
- something that ‘catches the eye’;
- distinctive, respected over time, and locally valued;
- representative of a group or class of buildings that is
diminishing over time and hence becoming more rare – a phone box,
electricity switch house, etc. – whose original design or siting
blends in well with neighbouring buildings;
- associated with people, a person, or events of local importance
or value;
- part of a planned layout, such as a row of houses built by a
local developer or industrialist – or cottages built in a
particularly distinctive style for workers on one of the large
country estates throughout the district (often characterised by
their design, materials and detailing)
- one of a group of buildings which are peculiar to an area and
may include informal groups of varied and modest buildings.
By ‘buildings’ we mean: –
- chapels
- churches
- houses
- libraries
- shops
- village halls
and many other things built by people for people, their animals
or possessions.
Also by ‘structures’ we mean other objects or things placed
there by people, the original purpose of which has been lost, such
as: –
- boot scrapers
- horse hitching posts or mounting blocks
- old lampposts
- old street name signs
- turnpike milestones
- war memorials
but which say so much about how life used to be lived. By
‘places’ we mean: –
- familiar views
- favourite quiet spots
- open spaces
- parks
- small or large groups of buildings in interesting or pleasing
arrangements
- village centres
The list will be compiled from survey work and nominations
received. Before any building is included on the Local List, the
Council will notify the owners or residents of buildings or
structures of its intentions and will consider any representations
received about the proposal.
If you think you know of a building, structure or place in your
local area deserves recognition and addition to the 'Local List'
then fill in the form below.
Local list application form
Dr Paul Collins
Conservation & Design Officer
Telephone: (01902) 696000
Fax: (01902) 696403
Email: locallist@sstaffs.gov.uk