This week staff from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Heritage service will hold the first of a series of consultation days at Brecon Library (Saturday, April 27). Local residents are invited to drop in and let us know which historic buildings they value most as adding to the heritage in their areas.
The Local List covers buildings, monuments, areas of public interest and places where significant historical events may have taken place that are valued by the community as contributing to local heritage or reinforcing local distinctiveness and a sense of place, but do not have listed building status or a similar level of protection.
The list is intended to catalogue and recognise these buildings, monuments or areas so that they can be properly considered when development proposals are submitted to the National Park Authority and assist the planning process.
Nominated buildings are assessed against a criteria already laid out within the Local List draft. . Being on the Local List is not onerous for property owners but the National Park Authority will encourage owners to preserve the special qualities that have resulted in their property being on the list and will promote restoration where there is good evidence it is needed.
The first Local List consultation day will be held at Brecon Library on Saturday, April 27, with a similar event at Talgarth Town Hall on Saturday, May 11. All are welcome to attend.
Rosie Burton, Senior Heritage Officer (Buildings Conservation) for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “Conserving and enhancing buildings of archaeological and historical significance is key to this project. These upcoming consultation days are an excellent opportunity for National Park residents to discuss the built heritage of the area. Being on the list could be a positive result for property owners. We’re able to give advice to owners of buildings already on the Local List, as well as people wanting to nominate other historic buildings and monuments.”
Martin Buckle, Member Champion for Heritage for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “It’s important that we work closely with local communities to identify heritage assets that are valued by local residents.
“Our built heritage is recognised as a key priority in the National Park Management Plan. Reviewing these buildings, monuments and areas as part of the Local List scheme will help to ensure that these assets continue to contribute both to the character of our settlements and to our historic landscapes.”
To make a nomination for the Local List or to find out more please contact Rosie Burton, Senior Heritage Officer on 01874 620 433 or email rosie.burton@breconbeacons.org.
For details of the Local List criteria, please visit www.breconbeacons.org.
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Local List criteria
1. Historic Interest
a) Does this relate to an important aspect of local social, religious, political or economic history?
b) Is it historically associated with an important local feature?
2. Historic Association
a) Is it closely associated with: famous local people, local history events, strong community or social developments (must be well documented)?
b) Does it relate closely to any statutorily protected structure or site?
3. Architectural & Design merit
a) 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?
b) Does it show qualities of age, style or distinctive characteristics relative to the area?
c) Does the architectural design, details and construction materials aid to the local character of the area?
4. Survival
a) Does it remain in a substantial and recognisable form?
b) Does it retain its historic features and layouts?
c) Does it represent an important element in the development of the area?
5. Townscape merit
a) Does it represent an important visual amenity locally? For instance does it create interesting visual impact in an area or make a landmark?
b) 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?