A cannon used in the Crimean War, a pet cemetery and a wooden oak leaf sculpture are among the more unusual new entries on the extended Local List of Heritage Assets approved by the council Executive at its latest meeting.
They join existing landmarks on the list including a white elephant made from concrete pipes, railway bridge arches, several public houses and an old blacksmith’s forge.
The updated ‘Local List’ has been compiled following public consultations which asked local people and organisations to nominate not just buildings, but also features, places and designed landscapes from across the borough that they felt were worthy of consideration for inclusion. These suggestions were assessed against set criteria before being added where appropriate. Entries on the existing list were also updated or removed as necessary following assessment.
New entries on the list include the village signs at Deepcut, Frimley Green & Mytchett, along with community venues including St Anne’s Parish Hall, Bagshot, Bisley Village Hall and The Agincourt, Camberley, well known locally as a live music venue.
Wellingtonia Avenue, the majestic line of Wellingtonia trees running for around 1km at Cumberland Road, Heatherside is a new addition, along with the three-metre tall Oak Leaf Sculpture at Frimley Green carved from a dead red oak tree.
Some of the more unusual new entries include Chobham Pet Cemetery, dating from the 1930s, and a World War Two pillbox (a small fortified structure) on Deepcut Bridge Road installed in anticipation of possible enemy invasion.
Larger buildings and gardens added to the list include the Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps Club House on Crawley Hill, Camberley, Frimhurst House and gardens in Frimley Green (once home to Dame Ethel Smyth, well-known composer and suffragette), and Windlesham Arboretum and Old House Farm.
The Arches to the railway bridge at Guildford Road, Bagshot already featured on the list, while the Camberley Railway Station Footbridge is a new addition. Other notable street features included are the 19th century horse trough and drinking fountain on Church Road, Bagshot, the impressive Queen Victoria signpost and lamp at the nearby Square, and 18th century milestones located opposite Frimley Park Hospital and on London Road, Camberley. A 24-pound cannon dating from the Crimean War standing on a gun carriage at the aptly named Cannon Corner in Chobham also makes the new list.
Camberley’s famous white elephant made in 1963 from drainage and sewerage pipes is another existing entry, along with some of the borough’s public houses, including The Four Horseshoes in Chobham and Frimley Green’s The Rose and Thistle. Hotels featured include Pennyhill Park in Bagshot and Frimley Hall Hotel in Camberley. These traditional styles contrast with the brutalist architecture of the Apex Drive development in Frimley, also on the list.
Older buildings noted include the 19th century Old Forge on Bagshot Road, West End and various thatched cottages across the borough. Gordon's School in West End and the Surrey Heath Archaeology Centre building in Bagshot are other entries, while 18th century Mytchett Place (formerly Mitchet House) also makes the list – the country house was used during WW2 as a high security prison codenamed ‘Camp Z’, where Rudolf Hess was incarcerated after parachuting into the country in 1941.
Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Built Environment and Regulation Cllr Alan Ashbery said: “Having items as diverse as a pet cemetery, an avenue of giant redwood trees and a concrete elephant on the new Local List alongside more traditional heritage assets, shows the breadth of significant landmarks, features and places recognised across Surrey Heath.
“The new List will be used to guide the future use and development of local heritage assets – and ensures that owners and custodians of such assets are aware of their significance and the contribution that they make to the unique character of Surrey Heath.
“The updated List will also help to support a strong economy by contributing to vibrant villages and local centres that reflect the unique identity of the borough. I would encourage local people to check out the list and see what is included – they might discover some hidden gems on their doorstep!”
Assets identified on a local list are considered ‘non-designated’ heritage assets. Protection is afforded to these assets through the planning process, but they are not offered the same legal protection as Grade I or II ‘designated heritage assets’.
Nominations were assessed against the following Heritage Significance Criteria – rarity, group value, architectural or artistic value, archaeological value, historic association and landmark status.
The Local List is intended to be a living document. It will be reviewed every five years from adoption to ensure it remains up to date and listed heritage assets continue to meet all applicable criteria. The process of updating the Local List will involve public engagement and community involvement.
The work to update the Local List in Surrey Heath was funded as part of a Government initiative, where the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in association with Historic England provided funding for six districts and boroughs in Surrey to develop or update local heritage asset lists.