Appropriate for all assets as judged against local characteristics. For more common types of asset, this criterion could be applied to levels of completeness, surviving architectural detail, or use of unusual materials or technological innovation.
An asset may be considered for rarity value if we have only a few examples within the districts of Cambridgeshire, even if the asset type is not considered rare nationally.
Equally some asset types which are considered rare nationally may be uniquely common within the local area, contributing to local character.
The Rarity of an asset may be affected by its integrity, such that if multiple examples exist then relative rarity of each may be determined by whether and to what extent they have been subject to alteration over time.
The Rarity of an asset can be demonstrated in a variety of ways. It may be inferred as a whole or from one or more components such as historical or design details, location or function within the landscape.
Sometimes even the smallest feature of an asset can contribute to its rarity, so it’s worth finding out as much about it as you can.
Consider when making a nomination:
- Is the asset type considered rare – locally, regionally or nationally?
- What characteristic(s) in particular make the asset rare, which set it apart from other examples of its type?
- Was the asset constructed using materials, methods or technology which are considered unusual or innovative, either locally or nationally? Does it represent a surviving example of a local tradition?
- Is the asset considered rare in being an example of its type which survives in its original form, unaltered or relatively unaltered?
- Rarity should be demonstrated with appropriate research. If the asset is rare, it may be helpful to identify other examples for comparison in the assessment process.