Local designations and other forms of recognition

National planning policy promotes the care and protection of the historic environment. Whether designated or non-designated, it is a material consideration in the planning process.

There are many sites and places that are valued by individuals and communities but do not meet the criteria for national designation.

Sites and places can be recognised through local designations – for example, areas of special architectural or historic interest (Conservation Areas) and locally important landscapes (Local Landscape Areas). They can also be identified by local authorities in their historic environment records (HER) or sites and monument records (SMR). HERs and SMRs can support local development plans, inform the determination of planning applications, and should be considered when making decisions.

Sites and places can also be given prominence through other forms of recognition. This can include survey, recording and commemoration. They might be included in online records such as the National Record of the Historic Environment or other registers such as the Tree Register, the War Memorials Register and the National Register of Historic Vessels. Where sites and places have particular associations with significant people or events, this can be recognised for example, through the Commemorative Plaque Scheme.

We encourage people and communities, local authorities and other decision-makers to work together to consider ways to recognise sites and places that are important to them. We also encourage local authorities and other decision-makers to take undesignated sites and places into account, and to develop policies and guidance to reflect their importance.