2017 marks 70 years since the start of the Town and Country Planning Act of 1947 which offered protective status to special and historic buildings
Now known as The National Heritage List for England, it is exciting to think that all of our members precious listed homes can be found on this vast database, each with a unique story to tell. Indeed when Historic England launched ‘the List’ many of our members took part in their Enrich the List campaign, adding interesting information and photographs for future generations to access information on their historic properties.
Debbie Mays, Head of Listing at Historic England said: “The diverse character of our land and its people is marked in the fabric of England’s buildings and places. For 70 years the most special historic sites have been protected through listing so they can be enjoyed by future generations. Born from the destruction of World War Two, listing has allowed us to ensure thousands of places keep their special interest and help to tell England’s extraordinary story.”
Five buildings awarded listed status to mark the occasion
1. Cabmen’s Shelter, Grosvenor Gardens, London – Grade II
One of the last remaining shelters originally built for the drivers of London’s horse-drawn hansom cabs is now one of the country’s protected buildings. The small green structure located in Grosvenor Gardens, Belgravia, was built in 1904 as a place of refuge for drivers to escape from London’s bitter winter weather.
2. Underhill, Holme, West Yorkshire – Grade II
Sitting in the heart of the West Yorkshire countryside and with breathtaking views across the Pennines, Underhill was built in 1975 and is the dream of architect Arthur Quarmby. It is an earth-sheltered house, one of the most ancient techniques of house building with a front door opening from a Hobbit-like entrance tunnel.
3. Stockton-on-Tees Wireless Station, County Durham – Grade II
Stockton-on-Tees Wireless Station is thought to be the Royal Navy’s only facility capable of gathering intelligence at the start of the First World War. Now a private home, this building has been granted Grade II list status as its one of the few surviving wireless stations still standing.
4. Pillwood House, Truro, Cornwall – Grade II*
Perched on the banks of the River Fal’s estuary up a muddy track, the glass spike of Pillwood House – which won a RIBA regional award the year it was built – juts into the sky. The house was built in 1973-74, as a joint project between Su Rogers (who had been a member of groundbreaking architectural firm Team 4 with her then-husband Richard Rogers, Norman Foster and Wendy Cheesman) and John Miller (who was also known for his work on the Tate Britain, National Portrait Gallery and Whitechapel Art Gallery).
5. Funerary buildings at Willesden Jewish Cemetery (United Synagogue Cemetery), London – Grade II
Known as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of London’s Jewish cemeteries, Willesden Cemetery was opened in 1873. Famous names buried on the site include Rosalind Franklin, who discovered DNA, restaurant critic and film director Michael Winner, and Marcus Samuel, a founder of Shell Oil. The Neo-Gothic buildings which have been newly listed are a rare survival of a Jewish burial complexes in England, with each building playing a specific role in Jewish burial practice.
Celebrate your pride of ownership with the Listed Building Plaque
Until now, no means of visibly identifying listed buildings have been available. The Listed Property Owners’ Club has created a unique solid lead plaque exclusively for owners to celebrate their justifiable pride of ownership. The Listed Building Plaque measure 10” in diameter, costs £150 each (£120 for LPOC members) but are only available to owners or occupiers of listed buildings.
Plus don’t forget LPOC has been helping listed property owners for over 20 years with all aspects of buying, owning, renovating, conserving and insuring their special homes. Click here to find out why people join The Listed Property Owners’ Club and how we can help.
