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Communities across South Tyneside are being invited to nominate locally important sites to be considered on a new Local Heritage List.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ is updating its Local List of buildings, structures and places that although don't meet the criteria for national listing by English Heritage, are recognised as being important heritage assets at a local level.

A Local Heritage List identifies unlisted and non-designated heritage assets which have special local architectural or historic interest and contribute to the character of the area. Assets included in a Local List are given special consideration in the planning process.

Residents are now being asked for their views on which local buildings, structures, sites and landscapes they feel have community value and are worthy of inclusion on the Local List.

Louise Sloan, Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Senior Development Services Manager, said: "South Tyneside has such a unique and rich history and heritage. No-one knows the value of local heritage better than the people in our towns and villages.

"That is why we are asking local communities to nominate what they would like to see recognised as a local heritage asset, what they feel should be preserved and protected for the future.

"Local heritage assets could be anything from a garden, landmark or landscape to even street furniture such as a post box, statue or lamppost. This is a chance for everyone to have their say on what they feel is important, contributes to the Borough's sense of place or represents the history of their local area in some way."

To be included on a Local List, a building, object or site must meet one or more of the following criteria: historic interest, architectural interest, or an association to significant figures or historic events, and townscape merit.

South Tyneside has joined up with Gateshead and Newcastle City councils to review their Local Lists this year, with the launch of a new interactive website  giving guidance and supporting residents to nominate sites to be considered on their Local Heritage List.

South Tyneside residents can also make their nominations in person at two public engagement events on:

• Thursday 12 May, from 10am to 2pm, at The Word, South Shields.
• Tuesday 17 May, from 12noon to 4pm, at Hebburn Central.

Members of local history groups and heritage experts will be on hand to support visitors with the criteria, lists of current sites and interactive maps of the area.

The closing date for nominations is 15 June 2022.

The nominations will then be assessed and considered by an independent panel of experts before being taken forward for adoption on the Local List later in the year.

Successful local list nominations will be included on the Tyne and Wear Historic Environment Record at   The Local List will also be incorporated into a National Planning Policy Framework document that enables authorities to review and update lists more frequently.

The new additions will join nearly 200 assets already featured on South Tyneside's Local List.

These include the chimney at Mill Dam, South Shields, which survives as a monument to the former Swinburne Glassworks, the cast iron drinking fountain in Boldon Colliery, Carr Ellison Park in Hebburn and the Burton Buildings in Ormonde Street, Jarrow.

Others on the existing List include the Lion statue in Ocean Road (the last remnant of the Golden Lion Hotel), the Al Azhar Mosque at Laygate, the Grey Horse pub in East Boldon as well as Whitburn Village Green and its drinking fountain.

Louise added: "We are really keen to hear what other local heritage assets people feel are important. We would encourage all members of the community to get involved."

To check whether a building or structure is already on the Local List, or for further information about the consultation or eligibility criteria, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/locallist or contact Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Historic Environment Officer, Lucy Routledge on (0191) 424 7952 or email lucy.routledge@southtyneside.gov.uk

South Tyneside is one of 22 authorities across the country to be awarded funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to deliver the project.