A NEW project to record heritage sites that matter to local communities has been launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Somerset and the Exmoor National Park is one of 22 pilots for this new Local Heritage List.

The list is intended to help to protect buildings, sites and structures that local people regard as important –from medieval cottages to unusual postboxes. Somerset residents are being invited to nominate what’s valuable in their community as part of a new project being managed by the South West Heritage Trust.  Local listing will stop locally significant sites from being overlooked, and will offer some increased protections through the planning system.

Mary Andrews, Local Heritage List project manager, says: “Anyone can have a say in deciding what’s valuable to their community by nominating a site.  Nominations might feature rare materials or historical connections and could be anything from a factory to a front doorstep or a postbox and historic landscape.  Places where important events took place or where minority identities are celebrated are also promising candidates. The key thing is that the site matters to the life and culture of the local community.”

There are several ways to make a nomination, including through the Know Your Place website, or by post or email. A free online event is taking place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 27th April where people can find out more. To make a nomination or book onto the event visit swheritage.org.uk/local-heritage-list

Pictured: One of Exmoor’s best known historic structures – the ancient Tarr Steps, in high water. Photograph by David Blake.