Local Heritage List selection criteria

As noted in the Government’s Planning Practice Guidance (2018 edition), ‘A substantial majority of buildings have little or no heritage significance and thus do not constitute heritage assets. Only a minority have enough heritage interest for their significance to be a material consideration in the planning process’.

It is important then when assessing nominations for the Local Heritage List that a clear set of criteria are used, so that an informed judgement can be reached on whether a building has enough significance to be locally listed. The use of criteria should ensure the integrity of the list, with only those buildings which clearly show enough significance being included.

This revised document introduces a new and robust selection process for adding things to the list, based on the following three categories:

  • Architectural Significance
  • Historical Significance
  • Cultural Significance

To be included on the Local Heritage List, sites should clearly demonstrate at least one of the above criteria. There is likely to be cross over between the categories and the more criteria met the more likely a building or site is to be eligible.

By using these categories we have been able to widen our definition of ‘heritage’, so that it is more encompassing. This has allowed for the inclusion of more modern and contemporary buildings that are of very high quality, and more places with cultural significance, particularly those which are important to or reflect the diverse communities within the borough.



Architectural Significance

Waltham Forest is fortunate to have an impressive range of architectural styles, striking landmarks, and buildings by noted architects.

Architectural significance takes into account:

  • Composition
  • Response to surrounding context
  • Form and massing
  • Materials
  • Decorative elements

It may include good representative examples of a recognised architectural style with few or no damaging alterations, or it may be a rare example of a style not commonly found in the borough, either through lack of surviving examples, or as a result of it being a bespoke commission. Buildings designed by a notable architect with a regional or national profile are likely to have some significance, especially where they survive in good condition.

Architectural significance may also include those structures and features which positively contribute to Waltham Forest’s unique townscape quality, for example local landmarks, historic street furniture, original signage and shopfronts, and artistic features such as sculpture and mosaics that enliven a building or its wider surroundings.

Examples of locally listings displaying Architectural significance include vernacular style properties such as early modern farmhouses (increasingly rare in London), grand Georgian villas, striking Victorian and Edwardian properties (1) interwar civic buildings (2) as well as new high quality contemporary buildings (3) which reflect the borough’s Exemplar Design approach. (4)


Historical Significance

Waltham Forest’s building stock illustrates the growth and development of the borough; from the medieval period through to the present day, with good examples of buildings from different periods.

Historic significance considers how a building relates to the past, giving a glimpse of what an area was like previously. This may be evidenced through built physical form, or through representative association with notable names, events or functions.

A building’s built form may have historical significance as a result of being a substantially older structure than its wider surroundings (1), especially where it survives in close to its original condition, or where it is a rare survivor in a locale that has undergone extensive change. In Waltham Forest, most buildings date from the mid-late nineteenth century onwards, so buildings that are substantially older (2) are more likely to have historical significance as a result of their rarity.

Historic significance may also be found in a building’s association with a notable person or historical event (3), or by being the site of a particular kind of technological or industrial innovation (4). For example the former studio of a noted artist or the former home of a noted public figure may have historical significance.

Alternatively a site may have historical significance by being where a key industry in the borough’s history was located, or where an invention or innovation was developed.



Cultural Significance

Waltham Forest boasts a vibrant and rich culture which provides a sense of identity for its communities and residents; in 2019 it was named the Mayor of London’s first ever London Borough of Culture, championing a ‘culture on every corner’ approach.

The borough is home to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement, Alfred Hitchcock and cinema history, a diverse range of contemporary music talents, and a thriving street art scene.

Cultural significance relates to a building or site’s association with specific communities, traditions and practices (1), or connection with figures from the arts (2). Such assets are often a source of pride and local distinctiveness.

Cultural significance may also be found in features such as sculpture and artworks found in public spaces, which make a positive contribution to that area’s environment and enjoyment and may be historic (3) or contemporary (4).

Nominations that are solely based on an existing cultural use may be better suited to the Council’s Asset of Community Value register. More information, including how to apply, can be found on the council’s website:

https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/businesses/commercial-property/assets-community-value

As noted in the Government’s Planning Practice Guidance (2018 edition), ‘A substantial majority of buildings have little or no heritage significance and thus do not constitute heritage assets. Only a minority have enough heritage interest for their significance to be a material consideration in the planning process’.

It is important then when assessing nominations for the Local Heritage List that a clear set of criteria are used, so that an informed judgement can be reached on whether a building has enough significance to be locally listed. The use of criteria should ensure the integrity of the list, with only those buildings which clearly show enough significance being included.

This revised document introduces a new and robust selection process for adding things to the list, based on the following three categories:

  • Architectural Significance
  • Historical Significance
  • Cultural Significance

To be included on the Local Heritage List, sites should clearly demonstrate at least one of the above criteria. There is likely to be cross over between the categories and the more criteria met the more likely a building or site is to be eligible.

By using these categories we have been able to widen our definition of ‘heritage’, so that it is more encompassing. This has allowed for the inclusion of more modern and contemporary buildings that are of very high quality, and more places with cultural significance, particularly those which are important to or reflect the diverse communities within the borough.



Architectural Significance

Waltham Forest is fortunate to have an impressive range of architectural styles, striking landmarks, and buildings by noted architects.

Architectural significance takes into account:

  • Composition
  • Response to surrounding context
  • Form and massing
  • Materials
  • Decorative elements

It may include good representative examples of a recognised architectural style with few or no damaging alterations, or it may be a rare example of a style not commonly found in the borough, either through lack of surviving examples, or as a result of it being a bespoke commission. Buildings designed by a notable architect with a regional or national profile are likely to have some significance, especially where they survive in good condition.

Architectural significance may also include those structures and features which positively contribute to Waltham Forest’s unique townscape quality, for example local landmarks, historic street furniture, original signage and shopfronts, and artistic features such as sculpture and mosaics that enliven a building or its wider surroundings.

Examples of locally listings displaying Architectural significance include vernacular style properties such as early modern farmhouses (increasingly rare in London), grand Georgian villas, striking Victorian and Edwardian properties (1) interwar civic buildings (2) as well as new high quality contemporary buildings (3) which reflect the borough’s Exemplar Design approach. (4)


Historical Significance

Waltham Forest’s building stock illustrates the growth and development of the borough; from the medieval period through to the present day, with good examples of buildings from different periods.

Historic significance considers how a building relates to the past, giving a glimpse of what an area was like previously. This may be evidenced through built physical form, or through representative association with notable names, events or functions.

A building’s built form may have historical significance as a result of being a substantially older structure than its wider surroundings (1), especially where it survives in close to its original condition, or where it is a rare survivor in a locale that has undergone extensive change. In Waltham Forest, most buildings date from the mid-late nineteenth century onwards, so buildings that are substantially older (2) are more likely to have historical significance as a result of their rarity.

Historic significance may also be found in a building’s association with a notable person or historical event (3), or by being the site of a particular kind of technological or industrial innovation (4). For example the former studio of a noted artist or the former home of a noted public figure may have historical significance.

Alternatively a site may have historical significance by being where a key industry in the borough’s history was located, or where an invention or innovation was developed.



Cultural Significance

Waltham Forest boasts a vibrant and rich culture which provides a sense of identity for its communities and residents; in 2019 it was named the Mayor of London’s first ever London Borough of Culture, championing a ‘culture on every corner’ approach.

The borough is home to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement, Alfred Hitchcock and cinema history, a diverse range of contemporary music talents, and a thriving street art scene.

Cultural significance relates to a building or site’s association with specific communities, traditions and practices (1), or connection with figures from the arts (2). Such assets are often a source of pride and local distinctiveness.

Cultural significance may also be found in features such as sculpture and artworks found in public spaces, which make a positive contribution to that area’s environment and enjoyment and may be historic (3) or contemporary (4).

Nominations that are solely based on an existing cultural use may be better suited to the Council’s Asset of Community Value register. More information, including how to apply, can be found on the council’s website:

https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/businesses/commercial-property/assets-community-value