The Local Heritage List (LHL) records heritage assets of local significance in Somerset and Exmoor National Park. It’s a way to recognise both the rare and commonplace sites that enrich our area but don’t meet the strict requirements for national listing. We welcome nominations from individual members of the public, town and parish councils, community organisations and heritage groups, to ensure that the Local Heritage List includes those places that are important to local people and represents the best qualities of our area’s heritage.
The first heritage assets were added to the Local Heritage List for Exmoor in 2022 and for Somerset in 2024. It is anticipated that the List will evolve over time; the absence of a particular site or structure from the List does not imply that it may not be considered for inclusion at a later stage.
Historic England have produced further guidance about Local Heritage Lists, which can be found on their website.
What is a heritage asset?
This is defined as “a building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. It includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing).” (MHCLG 2024, 73).
Known heritage assets are recorded on the Historic Environment Record (HER) for each local planning authority. These hold information about the history and survival of each feature, the nature of any investigations and any relevant designations that apply to the site. There are separate HERs for Somerset and Exmoor National Park.
What does Local Heritage Listing do?
Local listing is not the same as national listing, and does not impose additional restrictions or responsibilities. The main intention is to celebrate local culture and encourage good management of heritage assets.
If a structure or site is added to the Local Heritage List, it will be recognised as a culturally significant heritage asset. This will not (in itself) give the structure any additional protection, but it will inform decisions by owners and public bodies. All assets recorded on the Local Heritage List would already be recognised as Non-Designated Heritage Assets in the planning process. Early recognition of a heritage asset’s significance is important when developing proposals or deciding a planning application, as it provides clarity and avoids late interventions and delay.
How can I view the Local Heritage List?
The Local Heritage List is held on the Historic Environment Records for Somerset and Exmoor National Park, and is visible as a map layer on Know Your Place. You can also view the ratified Local Heritage List for Somerset on the Somerset Council website.
What kind of places can I nominate?
Places on the Local Heritage List don’t have to be grand or famous. A wide range of buildings, monuments, sites, places and landscapes count as heritage assets and can go on the List. You could tell us about a house, a war memorial, a public artwork – if it’s part of Somerset and Exmoor’s diverse heritage and meets our Criteria, we’re keen to hear about it.
How do I submit a nomination?
You can suggest a site using our single or multiple nomination forms, or via Know Your Place. See How to Nominate for further details.
What information should I try to provide?
Any information you can provide about the site’s history and current condition will help to inform our decision on whether to add the heritage asset to the Local Heritage List. In particular, we would like to understand what significance it has to the local community, and whether it has any distinctive features that are of local interest. It’s also useful to know if the site is one of a group of similar assets.
There are more details available on our How to nominate page.
Can I send in photographs?
We are always very grateful to receive clear and up to date photographs of heritage assets, which can be stored on the Historic Environment Record and used for the project. We do however ask that you check our Photography Policy before submitting images. Please do not put yourself at risk when taking photographs for the project.
Is there a deadline for nominations?
No, nominations are welcome at any time. We aim to include any new nominations received at our next panel meeting, depending on the complexity of the site and how much we know about the heritage asset.
What happens next?
After we receive your nomination, a team of heritage professionals at the South West Heritage Trust or Exmoor National Park Authority will assess all entries against the criteria. Complicated or specialised cases may be referred to experts for further advice. A decision about what to list will then be made at a Local Listing Panel Meeting (minutes from previous panel meetings are available here). In Somerset, the decision to add a heritage asset to the list is then ratified by Somerset Council.
I believe the decision to include or exclude a heritage asset from the Local Heritage List entry is incorrect – what should I do?
We will need information on how you believe the site meets, or fails to meet, the Criteria for inclusion on the List. If you believe that the information recorded about a heritage asset and its significance is incorrect or not up to date, please email us at lhl@swheritage.org.uk (Somerset) or HER@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk (Exmoor National Park). Appeals will be heard at the next relevant assessment panel meeting.
Reference:
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (2024; Amended February 2025). National Planning Policy Framework.