Wirral has many historic buildings, structures and sites that make our places special.
Some heritage assets have protection through national heritage designations. These include:
• listed buildings
• conservation areas
• scheduled monuments
• registered parks and gardens
Other assets are not national designated but are still important and protected. These are known as non-designated heritage assets. They shape the character and identity of Wirral and are of local significance.
Examples include:
- historic houses
- farm buildings
- public houses
- former schools
- places of worship
- industrial and maritime structures
- walls, gates and other boundary features
- local landmarks
- archaeological sites
- historic landscapes
Finding information about heritage assets
Many heritage assets are recorded in the Merseyside Historic Environment Record (HER).
You can search the HER on the Heritage Gateway website.
You can also view Wirral's heritage assets on a map.
Some non-designated heritage assets may be included on Wirral's emerging Local List. Others may be identified through the planning process.
What this means for planning applications
Some developments could affect a non-designated heritage asset. The council must consider this when deciding planning applications. This is a requirement of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
You should consider these heritage assets when planning development.
Proposals should:
- understand the significance of the heritage asset
- protect features that contribute to its significance where possible
- look for opportunities to improve or enhance its heritage value
How the council assesses proposals
Some proposals could harm non-designated heritage assets. In these cases, the council will consider:
- the significance of the asset
- the scale and nature of the harm or loss
- the public benefits of the proposal
- opportunities to avoid, reduce or mitigate harm
The council's decision will be influenced by the significance of the heritage asset.
Information you may need to provide
Applicants may need to provide information about:
- the significance of the non-designated heritage asset
- how the proposed development could affect that significance
The amount of information needed will depend on the type of asset and the scale of the proposal.
Non-designated heritage assets and development
Being identified as a non-designated heritage asset does not prevent change or development. However, the design and planning of development should take the asset's significance into account. This helps ensure that change is managed in a way that protects Wirral's heritage.