Locally Listed Buildings

What is a local list?

The quality of the Island’s historic environment is not just about nationally Listed Buildings or Conservation Areas, although these are undeniably of vital importance. The Council recognise that many historic buildings are valued by local people as part of the familiar and cherished local scene. The Isle of Wight contains many buildings that do not meet the national criteria for inclusion in the national statutory list (compiled by English Heritage).

The Council’s Conservation and Design Team are working with local groups and parish councils to produce a separate list - the Island's Local List of Buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest. The aim is to identify those buildings which provide local distinctiveness. The Local List is intended to recognise the contribution to the local scene made by parks, structures and buildings. Inclusion on the Local List does not confer protection in the way that statutory listing does although it does allow the historic and architectural interest to be recognised. Nominations for the Local List should not be used to frustrate development proposals.

What kind of buildings, parks/gardens, and structures can be added to the local list?

The following are the criteria for including buildings, parks/gardens and structures on the local list:

Historic interest

does it relate to an important aspect of local social, cultural, religious, political or economic history?
is it historically associated with an important local feature?

Historic Association

is it closely associated with: famous local people, local historic events, strong community or social development significance or people? (Must be well documented).
does it relate closely to any statutorily protected structure or site?

Architectural & Design merit

is the surviving building/structure/park or garden the work of a particular architect or designer which illustrates local or regional architectural history or design?
does it show qualities of age, style or distinctive characteristics relative to the area?

Survival

does it remain in a substantial and recognisable form?
does it retain its historic features and layouts?
does it represent an important element in the development of the area?

Townscape merit

does it provide an important visual amenity locally? For instance, does it make interesting use of visually significant sites and form a landmark? Is it a notable building(s) on an important route into the area, which creates a vista or contributes to the skyline? Does it emphasise corner sites or provide focal points in the townscape?

Who decides which buildings to add to the local list?
A small panel has been formed to assess the nominations. It includes representatives of the Isle of Wight Society, Archaeology Services, the Council’s Conservation & Design Team Leader, and where a park or garden is the subject of consideration, an historic garden specialist.

Who can nominate buildings and how?
Anyone can nominate a building, park/garden or structure for inclusion on the local list. If you want to make a suggestion for an addition to the local list, all you need to do is complete a local list nomination form, and provide any supporting information considered necessary. Application forms can be either downloaded (from the link below) or obtained from the Conservation & Design Team.

Application forms can be downloaded below:

Local List Nomination Forms