Buckinghamshire Council looking for nominations for its Local Heritage List

Buckinghamshire is a county that is rich with history and has many heritage assets that benefit from statutory protection and designation, often referred to as ‘listed’ or ‘scheduled’ assets. The threshold for meeting the criteria that allows an asset to become listed is very high, and as a result it means that several locally important assets, which contribute positively to the local character and identity of Buckinghamshire, sometimes have little or no protection. Over time, some of these special places can be lost.

The Government has recognized this problem and have made funds available to 22 Local Authorities, including Buckinghamshire, to help improve the standard of locally held lists.

The Local Heritage List seeks to identify locally significant assets and celebrate their contribution to local identity and character. Developing this list provides a unique opportunity for residents of Buckinghamshire to nominate important assets around the County that are not currently listed, but that have significant heritage interest.

All kinds of assets can be considered for local listing, including:

• Historic buildings
• Buildings demonstrating local style
• Archaeological sites, such as upstanding earthworks or buried remains
• Landscape features
• Historic gardens and parks, and individual elements within them
• Public works of art, monuments and street furniture, including signage

From 3rd September, residents will be able to make nominations for the Local Heritage List, or volunteer to assist the project team via Buckinghamshire Council’s new online tool here: Home – Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List (local-heritage-list.org.uk). Criteria for assets to be included on the list can also be found on the online portal.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, Gareth Williams, said:

“Buckinghamshire is a county rich in history and culture, so I am very excited about the opportunity to develop its Local Heritage List. I hope that residents will enjoy being able to get involved and that together, we can help to protect some of the most important assets in the County that contribute to the character and heritage of Buckinghamshire”

For more information on the Local Heritage List, visit Home – Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List (local-heritage-list.org.uk) or email localheritagelist@buckinghamshire.gov.uk