Surrey Heath Borough Council is asking people to respond to its updated draft list of local heritage assets (also known as a ‘Local List’).
The Council has been working in partnership with Surrey County Council to develop the list, which includes buildings, structures, features, and spaces that are locally significant and add to the cultural heritage and sense of place of the Borough.
An initial consultation was undertaken in Autumn 2021 seeking nominations for inclusion on the updated list.
To qualify for inclusion on the local list, nominations were required to meet at least two of the following criteria: rarity, group value, architectural or artistic value, archaeological value, historic association, landmark status, or social and cultural value.
Following assessment, the resultant draft Local List contains 244 heritage assets, of which 184 are existing assets that have been reviewed, and 60 are new entries.
The current six week-long consultation asks for comments on the proposed Local List from the public, property owners/occupiers of heritage assets, and other interested parties such as resident associations and conservation/heritage groups.
Comments should focus on the assessment of an asset against the criteria and whether this is considered to be correct or incorrect. Any information regarding an asset which may alter its assessment is particularly welcomed.
This consultation is not an opportunity to submit further assets for consideration for the list.
Following the close of the consultation, all comments received will be reviewed and considered by the council with any amendments being made before the adoption of the Local List.
Once this list has been adopted, it will be used to guide the future use and development of local heritage assets, by enabling the significance of assets identified on the list to be fully understood and to be taken account of in the planning process, particularly in the assessment of planning applications.
Once adopted, the Local List is intended to be a living document, and the Council will review the Local List every five years from adoption to ensure it remains up to date and listed heritage assets continue to meet all applicable criteria.
Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder Sustainable Transport & Planning Cllr Alan Ashbery said:
“I would encourage people to take a look at the draft Local List and contribute relevant information about the assets that are included.
“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to protecting and preserving the rich cultural heritage and sense of place that are important to the local community, and we value the input of local people in shaping the final list of heritage assets”.
Visit the Local Heritage List consultation webpage to view the draft list, and for more information on the consultation.
Consultation: How to have your say
Responses can be submitted online by email to planning.consultation@surreyheath.gov.uk and/or post to Planning Policy, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey Heath House, Knoll Road, Camberley GU15 3HD.
The deadline for comments is 4pm on 4 March 2024.
Surrey Heath Borough Council encourages active participation from the community to ensure that the final list accurately represents the shared values and sentiments associated with these heritage assets.