More properties to be protected on the Local List of Heritage Assets
22 properties were added to the council’s Local List of Heritage Assets when councillors approve a proposal at the Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee (TECC) on 9 March 2023.
This follows the introduction of a new policy on the retention and conservation of local assets as part of the City Plan Part Two, which was adopted in October.
Properties on the list enjoy greater protection when planning applications are being decided.
Local & national listings
A locally listed heritage asset is a building, park or garden considered to be of special interest because of its historic, architectural, design or townscape value. It is not the same as a “Listed Building”, which are designated by Historic England and enjoy statutory protection.
The local listing helps protect a further layer of the city’s historic assets as it is a material consideration in deciding planning applications.
Call for nominations
Following a six-week call for nominations between 26 October and 7 December 2020, 40 new suggestions were received and assessed. Owners and occupiers of those recommended for inclusion were then contacted and given the opportunity to provide any information or evidence that could potentially change the assessment.
At TECC Committee on 12 January a deputation was heard requesting that a further property, 43 Dyke Road, should be added to the List. In the light of evidence provided by the Montpelier and Clifton Hill Society this has been included on the List.
New additions
The 22 new listings recommended by officers cover a wide variety of buildings and local landmarks, including:
- The University of Sussex Boiler House, which dates from 1962 and is part of the original University campus designed by Sir Basil Spence.
- 19th century stone boundary markers located at Dyke Road/Old Shoreham Road; Elm Grove; New England Road; Western Road; Windlesham Avenue/Osmond Road; and Whitehawk Hill.
- St Margaret’s Flats in Rottingdean High Street, built in 1938 in a style known as “Moderne”, the designer Richard Jones was also responsible for the grade II* listed Saltdean Lido and the grade II listed Ocean Hotel in Saltdean.
- The Napoleonic Building at the former Preston Barracks on Lewes Road. This was built in 1793-4 when the cavalry barracks was first established on the site in response to the threat of invasion from Napoleon’s forces. The building is the only survivor from the original barracks.
- A very rare cast iron gas lamp made between 1819 and the 1840s. The lamp is located in the access from Lansdowne Road to the Buddhist Centre, originally a private villa known as Wick Lodge.
- John Howard Cottages in Roedean Road. Brighton philanthropist Sir John Howard bequeathed the site and funding for the construction of homes for convalescent nurses after his death. Built in the Arts and Craft style in 1922, the cottages currently provide 24 homes for former nurses and carers.
Protecting our heritage
Councillor Martin Osborne, Co-chair of Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture committee, said: “Brighton & Hove is a unique city with a fascinating history.
“As well as looking to the future - addressing our housing needs, the climate emergency and the growth of the local economy - the strategy laid out in City Plan Part 2 is about protecting our historic buildings, diverse heritage and past.
“This List is an important part of preserving local assets for future generations.”
As well as considering new nominations officers also reviewed the list to remove entries where they have been nationally designated or demolished since the last review in 2015.
The new full list of 273 entries will be published on our website Local List of Heritage Assets page.
