Local Listing - TrustNews Sept 13
The concept of listed buildings is well understood, and Winchester has plenty of them. From Grade I (the Cathedral, Winchester College Chapel), Grade II* (Jane Austen's house, the Pentice) and Grade II (literally hundreds of less significant but still important houses and other structures in Winchester, from Clifton Terrace to Abbey Passage, from the extraordinary Jacobean arch inserted in the wall of Hyde Close to the Littlehales Fountain on Oram’s Arbour), the city is well supplied with heritage.
Now there is a chance to extend some protection to lesser heritage assets (a government definition that can mean just about anything more than 30 years old with any degree of significance) through the production of a Local List.
Local lists are not a new idea, but they have been given a boost by inclusion in the recent National Planning Policy Framework. Now the City of Winchester Trust is delighted that the City Council is planning to create local lists as part of its Local Plan. Unlike the national lists, local listing does not give statutory protection against demolition or alteration, but it will signify value and influence planning decisions, so the Trust has long hoped for this measure of protection for those buildings we all value even if not seen as being of national importance.
Alison Davidson, the City's Head of Historic Environment, has invited the Trust to be part of the nomination and selection process. The listing will cover the whole district, but of course the Trust will only be involved with the six non-parished wards: Saints Barnabus, Bartholomew, John, Luke, Michael and Paul.
So we would like our members’ involvement. Criteria set out by English Heritage for local listing include age, rarity, aesthetic value and other characteristics that also apply to buildings that are already nationally listed, but an added element is ‘social or communal value’.
Further guidance will come from WCC, but pending that we can make a start on areas that are particularly vulnerable to development. One such area is around the station/cattle market area (see photo of the Register Office).
So please start thinking about previously unregarded buildings, landscapes or archaeology that could benefit from being included in the Local List. We hope to have a more detailed modus operandi in the next TrustNews, but early birds can send descriptions and ideally a photo to the Secretary at the Heritage Centre, or email secretary@cityofwinchestertrust.co.uk.