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  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 2004

Buildings of local interest

SHOULD there be a list of buildings of local interest in the Wealden Local Plan?

That was the question debated at the review committee on Thursday.  These are not formally listed buildings but buildings which are of local interest but cannot be offically recognised.  Hailsham town and district councillor John Blake said he strongly supported having a local list but Wealden Chairman Jack Gore felt the council should not rush into it.

'This is not a statutory duty and we have a budget problem at the moment.  'We do not have the staff or resources to undertake this.  'To prepare this list we would need to take on extra staff and appoint a consultant.'  The committee agreed such a list would be useful.  The council could decide to go forward with this at a later date.

A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR:  Most other councils maintain a list of buildings of local historic interest.  Eastbourne's local list is very useful.  It immediately gives you a broader picture of what is still around to see.  Once set up the cost of maintaining such a register pays for itself many times over in terms of increased revenue.  Simply put, tourists know there are other interesting buildings in the Wealden area, they are more likely to want to visit.  Visitors spend money.  Planning ahead is also that much easier if one has at one's fingertips a ready reference.

Not only that, but buildings which are not recognised at all are less likely to survive.  Once owners realise their buildings are something special, there is that much more incentive to give them that extra bit of care.  Additionally, wealden residents can feel that much pride in knowing their area has been properly researched and recorded.  Archaeological societies welcome such moves to protect the historic built environment.  For all the above reasons, can Wealden afford not to create a local list.

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