How Does Local Listing Work

The process for a heritage asset to become included on a Local List of Heritage Assets is a multi-stage process. The process involves identification and subsequent nomination of a heritage asset followed by assessment by the Local Authority, who will make a decision and provide a reason for designation, or for not being included.

The process is explained in more detail below.

Step 1 - Identification 

Candidates will be identified through a range of methods with no single method being favourable. Existing research and documentation may identify candidates for Local Listing - for example - Conservation Area Appraisals, Neighbourhood and Local Plans, Lists of sites previously declined for national listing or thematic books such as those on a particular building type. 

Public nomination will also be a source of identifying candidates, this is particularly important as it will harness the shared and important knowledge of local people, local parish and town councils, as well as history groups and civic societies.

Candidates may also be identified on an ad hoc basis through the planning process.

Step 2 - Nomination

An identified candidate must be nominated. This is done through creating an Asset Record via this website (Register an Account to enable the option on the Map section of the website). A nomination must include:

  • Location information
  • A short description - this is a description of the candidate, it may also include any historical research or information about the site, though the latter is not essential for the nomination
  • A photograph - from a public highway of any visible elevations, including any notable features.
  • A statement of significance - a note of why the candidate is of more heritage interest than the historic environment around it. For more information see Assessment Criteria

A lack of information will not preclude a nomination from moving to the next step, however the more information that can be provided, the stronger the case for inclusion will be.

Step 3 - Assessment

Nominations will be collated together into their respective districts and forwarded to those Local Authorities where nominations are received. Nominations will be assessed against the Assessment Criteria adopted in that area.

The assessment will be undertaken by the Local Planning Authority in-house heritage or historic environment expertise.

The assessment will establish the significance of the candidate to inform the decision of inclusion or rejection as a Local List candidate,

Step 4 - Decision

A decision will be made by the Local Planning Authority as to whether the candidate will be accepted or rejected on to their Local List. Those accepted on to the Local List will move forward to Adoption (Step 5 below), those rejected will be noted and recorded on the Historic Environment Record, as well as the Local List website as a rejected candidate, the information submitted with rejected nominations will continue to be available through the HER.

Step 5 - Adoption

Candidates proposed to be accepted on to a Local List of Heritage Assets will be formally adopted by the Local Authority, the process of adoption may vary between Local Authorities.