Havering Council’s heritage list criteria survey opens

Havering Council has launched a survey on what should determine a local heritage site.

Havering’s Local Heritage List has a collection of buildings, monuments, sites and landscapes that have historic and cultural value to the community.

It is used as a base by planning authorities to identify heritage assets that form a “distinctive part” of a borough’s identity.

Havering has more than 200 buildings listed in its Heritage Asset Register, last updated in 2014. These include the likes of Romford Station, Manor Farm, Harrow Lodge and Romford Brewery among others.

Once added to the list, the site is then conserved under the National Planning Policy Framework that requires that such assets are an “irreplaceable” resource and should be protected.

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A building’s heritage status is regarded as a “material consideration” when determining the outcome of a planning application. This means a proposal to demolish it could be rejected on the basis of the building’s inclusion on the list.

There are various criteria that can apply while determining what constitutes a “heritage asset”.

Havering Council has now opened a consultation inviting people to share their views on what should be added to this criteria list.

It is also due to hold two online drop-in sessions today (July 11) between 12 and 1pm and on August 3, between 2-3pm.

The survey closes on August 10 and a link for it can be found here:https://consultation.havering.gov.uk/planning/local-heritage-list-criteria/