Nottingham’s historic buildings that are not currently formally recognised are going to be given extra protection under a new scheme being introduced by the City Council.
The council has approved the adoption of a heritage local list, which will ensure that a number of the city’s most treasured heritage assets currently not given national protection through Historic England listing, are protected and remain a key part of the city’s heritage for the benefit of future generations.
Many of the city’s most significant historic buildings and heritage assets are protected either by national listing, such as Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments or Registered Parks and Gardens or due to their location, such as being in a conservation area. However, many more significant buildings, historic landscapes and archaeological remains are not formally recognised, meaning they are at risk of being overlooked and being lost through demolition.
Local Lists help highlight key heritage assets, which showcase the city’s history, providing a link to its unique past. Local Lists differ from national schemes as they draw attention to assets that are special because they are locally important.
Nottingham already has an established Local List, developed by the Nottingham Civic Society from an earlier list produced by the council some years ago, but the list is not officially adopted and therefore offers no additional protection. Improving the list and formally adopting it means the City Council can now consider these valued assets as part of the planning process. This will provide some level of protection, including in any future developments, and so help to put them to best use as Nottingham grows.
Local residents will also be able to put forward possible entries for the list, recognising and celebrating the city’s diverse heritage and the contribution communities have made to the history of the city.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing & Heritage, said, “A number of projects are underway to help transform and regenerate the city. We’re really proud of Nottingham’s fascinating history and heritage and we’re working with partners and stakeholders to help restore and preserve some of Nottingham’s much loved historic buildings and assets.
“These assets not only showcase the city’s unique character and history but by preserving them and in some cases protecting them and bringing them back into use, they also help boost tourism and create jobs.”
Nottingham is a hive of activity when it comes to heritage led regeneration. In 2017 Nottingham was named one of Historic England’s Heritage Action Zones where grant funding is available for external works to historic buildings, including shop fronts in the Old Market Square, Lace Market or Sneinton Market Conservation Area. One of the Heritage Action Zone projects helps local people to enhance the draft Local List.
Grant funding towards the cost of conservation projects is also available in the Carrington Street Area, where a number of projects are underway to help restore and preserve buildings and shop fronts under the Heritage Lottery funded Townscape Heritage Scheme.