Protecting Heritage in South Tyneside

A new Local List of Heritage Assets for South Tyneside is set to be considered at a meeting next Wednesday (15 March).

South Tyneside Council is updating its Local List of heritage assets. These are buildings, structures, parks and gardens, that don't meet the criteria for national listing by Historic England but are recognised as contributing to the Borough's heritage.

A Local List identifies 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 additional consideration in the planning process.

Cabinet members will be asked to approve the updated Local List at Wednesday's meeting.

Councillor Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Skills and Climate Change, said: "South Tyneside has such a unique and rich history and heritage with many assets that are loved and valued by local communities.

"The Local List identifies those assets that local people feel are important, contribute to the Borough's sense of place, represent the history of their area, and should be preserved and protected for the future.

"The existing list of assets was adopted ten years ago and does not reflect current public interest.

"It is important that we have a List that reflects changing circumstances, provides an up-to-date evidence base for local decision making and that we can continue to renew as and when going forward."

The Local List has been reviewed after a joint public consultation exercise with Gateshead and Newcastle City councils, which were also updating their respective Local Lists. The consultation was supported by local history groups and heritage experts.

The updated List includes 235 across the Borough, with 50 of them being new additions as nominated by the public.

Proposed additions include the historical Comical Corner on South Shields riverside, St Mark's Church, Jarrow, and several pubs including the Black Horse in West Boldon and the Cottage Tavern in Cleadon.

If agreed by Cabinet, the updated Local List will feature on an interactive map on the Council's website.

It would also be included on the Tyne and Wear Historic Environment Record at www.twsitelines.info.

Tyne and Wear was one of 22 regions across the country to be awarded funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to deliver the project.

The meeting of Cabinet is taking place on Wednesday 15 March, at 4pm, at South Shields Town Hall.