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What is the Local List and why does it matter?

The Local List is a list of buildings or structures of historic or local interest which the council hold and which can be used as supplementary planning guidance. The council’s officers decide what buildings will be included, but it is up to communities to identify and nominate buildings or structures which they think should have this extra protection which listing will give them. This might be because a building is connected with a well-known person, or it may be a good example of a certain type of architecture, or designed by a significant architect. So, if a developer applies to demolish a building

and it is on the local list, there will be a bit more protection against demolition. Nominations for the list can be made by local societies such as the Basingstoke Heritage Society or by parish councils.

This is one of the buildings which have got successfully on to the local list. It looks a bit unhappy in this photo but is actually a remain from the old Great Western Railway. Situated just north of the station it used to be stabling for the horses used by carriers of the railway. It took quite a bit of research to find this out, but it’s an important bit of both the town and railway history.

You may be surprised to see this railway bridge as a nominated structure, but this too has been accepted onto the local list. Why? Because the little holes (known as loop-holes) are part of second world war archaeology as this is when they were put into the parapet. There are similar ones on the Chapel Hill Bridge – this one is at Bunnian Place.

Many of the town’s public houses are old - the Queens Arms in Bunnian Place is noted as early as 1836, although this one seems to date from about 1912. Although there have been alterations to the Castle, you can still see the stables by the car park and there’s evidence just up the black path of an earlier building. This one’s been nominated but isn’t on the list yet.

This pretty building is in Sarum Hill. It has had many different uses throughout its life. It began as the British School (Infants) and the foundation stone, still just about legible, was laid in 1873 by 6 year old Edith H Wallis, who was the youngest daughter of Richard Wallis of Eastlands in London Road. He was a Quaker and a joint founder of the firm Wallis and Steevens. This one isn’t on the list yet and may be under threat as it is in new ownership.

The New Inn, Sarum Hill

Another great pub – lots of improvements by brewers but has been here since the 1870s. it has good tile decoration.

These are just a few examples of buildings which have been nominated – others include pairs of Victorian villas in Sarum Hill, the White House where Pizza Express is, The Stag and Hounds pub, many of the Edwardian houses in Cliddesden Road and many more!

So please get involved. If there’s a building near you that you think ought to have the extra protection, then let us know by contacting Debbie Reavell on 473390 or Reavell@btinternet.com Then, take a photo – you can do this without the owner’s permission provided that you don’t go onto their property. Buildings can be nominated and put onto the list without their owner’s consent, although normally owners will be happy that their home is of interest. For more information, come along to a meeting of the society. You will be very welcome.