Guidance notes for the Bracknell Forest local list

Making a nomination

The following provides a step by step guide to assist you in nominating a building or structure to be designated as a Locally Listed asset.

Step 1

Undertake an online assessment to assess the eligibility of buildings and structures based on the Local Listing criteria.

Step 2

Undertake a site visit to assess the eligibility.

Step 3

Gather evidence such as:

  • age of building and structure
  • details of architect, designer or builder
  • historic significance
  • ownership
  • photographic evidence
  • maps

Step 4

Fill in the Heritage Asset Nomination Form (one for each asset nominated) and attach any relevant evidence.

Step 5

Return the completed forms along with any other supporting material (such as photos, historic map extracts) by:

Selection criteria

In order for a building or structure to be included as a non-designated locally listed asset it must satisfy the selection criteria developed by the council.

The methodology has been created to reflect the designation guidance for the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), produced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In November 2018 the Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings was updated. This change was reflected in reviewing our own processes. View the revised selection criteria.

This national guidance has been adapted, as recommended by Historic England, to make sure that heritage assets are included where they retain local community and historical value.

Nominations are assessed with transparency and objectivity.

Buildings and structures are assessed according to the following process:

  • buildings or structures must meet the age criteria as detailed in the definitions below

  • pathway one reflects the statutory criteria categories used for the NHLE nomination assessments

For local listing, a building or structure needs to satisfy one category to be included.

If neither of these national criteria are met, 5 further categories have been identified to reflect specifically local value.

For a building or structure to be included in the local list through pathway 2, the nomination must satisfy 2 of the above defined criteria.

Pathway 1

Must meet 1 of the following:

  • architectural interest
    • innovation and virtuosity
    • artistic distinction
  • historical interest
    • historic association

Pathway 2

Must meet 2 of the following:

  • group value
  • social importance
  • industrial importance
  • townscape value
  • sense of place

Definitions

The schedule below lists the criteria that will need to be satisfied for a building or structure to be designated as a Locally Listed Heritage Asset.

Age

For any building, structure or group of buildings to be included in the Local List it must clearly meet the following relevant age and integrity criteria:

Pre 1840

Any building, structure or group of buildings of local heritage value where their style, form and construction are readily identifiable.

1840 to 1901

Any building, structure or group of buildings that are, for the most part, complete and of definite heritage value.

1901 to 1913

Any building, structure or group of buildings that are, for the most part, complete and for the most part unaltered and of definite heritage value.

1914 to 1939

Any building, structure or group of buildings that are, for the most part, complete and for the most part unaltered and has a high level of heritage value.

Post 1939

Any building, structure or group of buildings that are of exceptional heritage value and wholly complete and unaffected by inappropriate changes.

Architectural interest

Innovation and virtuosity

The building or structure is the work of a notable local, regional or national architect, engineer or builder.

The building or structure shows innovation in materials, technique, architectural style or engineering.

Artistic distinction

An asset with artistic interest exhibiting some degree of creative skill.

The building or structure has a noteworthy quality of workmanship and materials.

Historical interest

Historical association

The building or structure has a well authenticated historical association with a notable person(s) or event.

The building or structure has a prolonged and direct association with figures or events of local interest.

Group value

The buildings or structures form a group which as a whole has a unified architectural or historic value to the local area.

The buildings or structures are an example of deliberate town planning from before 1947.

Social importance

The building or structure has played an influential role in the development of an area or the life of one of Bracknell Forest’s communities. Such buildings or structures may include places of worship, schools, community buildings, places of employment, public houses and memorials which formed a focal point or played a key social role.

Industrial importance

The building or structure clearly relates to traditional or historic industrial processes or important businesses or the products of such industrial processes or businesses in the history of Bracknell Forest or are intact industrial structures, for example bridges.

Townscape value

The buildings or structures have prominence and a landmark quality that is fundamental to the sense of place of a particular locality.

Sense of place

The building or structure is representative of an architectural style that is characteristic of Bracknell Forest.

Exclusion criteria

National Designated Assets

Buildings and structures will not be considered for the local list if they are already identified as a Statutory Listed Building or Scheduled Monument.

Conservation areas

Buildings and structures will not be considered for the local list if they are located within a designated conservation area.

Contact information

Planning Team