The Local List

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council keeps a list of locally significant buildings and structures, known as Non-Designated Heritage Assets (NDHAs). These buildings don't have the same level of protection as those listed by Historic England, but they are still an important consideration when planning applications are being decided.

A "Local Heritage Asset" is a building, structure, object, or place that the local planning authority identifies as having special local historical or cultural importance. This is different from a "listed building," which is of national importance and is recognised by Historic England.

View the Local List

We welcome suggestions from the community for local heritage assets in the Borough. If you think a building should be locally listed, please email the details to conservationconsultation@tunbridgewells.gov.uk, and we will consider your request and let you know our decision.

Buildings can also be identified as heritage assets during the planning application process, the Local Plan process, Neighbourhood Development Plans, or through a Conservation Area Appraisal.

What is "Significance"?

"Significance" is a key idea in planning policies related to heritage, applying to both designated and non-designated heritage assets. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) defines significance as:

The value of a heritage asset to current and future generations because of its heritage interest.

This interest can be archaeological, architectural, artistic, or historic. Significance comes not only from a heritage asset's physical presence but also from its surroundings.

"Setting" refers to how we see and understand a heritage asset. It can be very different depending on whether the location is rural or urban. A setting might include the immediate area around the asset or extend to distant views, such as landscapes painted by a famous artist or described by a well-known author. The setting can also have historical connections, like the relationship between a farmhouse and its surrounding farm buildings, or a grand home and its wider estate.

Why are we creating this list?

The National Planning Policy Framework requires local planning authorities to identify and assess the importance of heritage assets that might be affected by new development proposals. This register helps support planning decisions in your community by clearly identifying buildings and structures of local importance.

Being included on the register means an asset has special local heritage significance, but it doesn't prevent changes from being made. Currently, the register focuses on buildings and public monuments, with plans to include more types of assets in the future.

When an application proposes changes to a heritage asset or its setting, applicants must show how their plans will help preserve the asset and protect or improve its architectural or historical character.

Creating a register for the entire borough is a big task, and it would be difficult to do without the enthusiasm and local knowledge of the community. The more the public gets involved, the better we can identify, protect, and improve the heritage that matters most to local people.

How we assess assets

We have developed a set of criteria to guide the assessment process. These criteria help determine how important an asset is and are based on Historic England's guidance for Local Heritage Listing. To be considered for the local list, a building should meet at least two of these criteria. Each nomination will be reviewed by Conservation Officers.

Here are the criteria used for assessment:

1. Architectural Interest: The heritage asset shows significant architectural and artistic importance. This can be identified by:

• Being designed by a locally or nationally important architect or engineer.
• Having high-quality design, good use of materials, and features typical of its architectural period.
• Showing good technological innovation.
• Being a significant example of a locally distinctive building style or technique.
• Having an unusual built form or decorative details.

2. Historic Interest: The heritage asset demonstrates significant historical importance. This can be identified by:

• Having a well-documented connection with a locally or nationally important person or event.
• Reflecting the traditional function or former uses of the area.
• Being part of a group that is at risk due to age and/or rarity.
• Having particular literary connections.
• Having demonstrable archaeological value (including buried remains).

3. Townscape Significance: The heritage asset positively contributes to the character of the town or area. This can be shown by:

• Being a key local or national landmark.
• Positively contributing to the setting of an already legally protected heritage asset.
• Playing an important role within a significant local view or skyline, or having clear townscape value.
• Having significant aesthetic or group value.
• Providing a good example of early local town planning.
• Being part of a designed landscape park or garden.
• Being distinctive or rare items of street furniture.

4. Social and Economic Significance: The heritage asset shows local importance in terms of social and economic development. This can be identified by:

• Clearly reflecting important aspects of the development of the settlement.
• Providing "totemic value" (symbolic importance) to existing local communities.
• Demonstrating links to a significant local industry or trade.
• Demonstrating an important cultural role within the local community.
• Providing a good, or unusual, example of local domestic heritage.

How we plan to create the register

There are two ways a building or structure can be added to the local list: the public can nominate a building to be included , or Conservation and Urban Design Officers will review sites through the planning process and when updating conservation area appraisals.

We invite members of the public, community groups, local history societies, and professional organizations to identify and assess potential Local Heritage Assets using the criteria outlined in these notes. The information you provide will then be reviewed by the Conservation and Urban Design Officers. If the asset is deemed to meet the criteria, it will be formally added to the register.

What happens next?

The register will grow and be updated regularly. Once an asset has been approved by the Conservation and Urban Design Officers , it will be added to the register. The register will be available on the Council website, and Local Heritage Assets will be highlighted on the GIS online mapping system.

For any more information, please contact the Conservation and Urban Design Officers at: conservationconsultation@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.