West Berkshire pushing eight more buildings for historical listing

The West Berkshire Heritage Forum has highlighted eight buildings across the district as being of unique heritage value.

A selection panel recommended eight further heritage assets for local listing to West Berkshire Council following a meeting at Thatcham Parish Hall on October 27.

Chairman of the Heritage Forum, Anthony Pick said: "These recommendations for local listings include an attractive diversity of assets and illustrate the depth of West Berkshire's heritage.

"The Heritage Forum is grateful to the proposers of the assets and to the panel members for their consideration and judgement. The Heritage Forum welcomes suggestions for heritage assets from parish councils, heritage societies and the public in West Berkshire, not listed by English Heritage. Suggestions should be forwarded to the Forum Secretary."

The assets are as follows.

• White Lodge in Donnington. The building formerly served as the gate house to the Grade II listed Donnington Grove. It was built in the late 19th century to manage access from Donnington. Its traditional form and detailing are typical of estate lodges of the period. As a testament to the historical development of Donnington Grove Park, it contributes materially to the Donnington Village Conservation Area.

• Crabtree Community Centre in Faircross, Hermitage. This is the last building belonging to the American hospital built on the site during the Second World War. Its external appearance is virtually untouched. It now provides a regular meeting point for local military families and other groups. Few of these social buildings from the war era survive today.

• 6 Northbrook Street in Newbury. This buidling was constructed in 1886 by architect Walter Henry Bell (1860-1932). It was part of the Camp Hopson store from the late 1890s, which extended to 12 Northbrook Street from the 1920s. Today, it houses the HSBC bank. Its double gables echo those of 10-11 Northbrook Street and together bookend 8-9 Northbrook Street. The Camp Hopson buildings materially contribute to the character of Northbrook Street and the social history of Newbury.

• A wall mounted post box in Welford. This postbox is a particularly scarce model called 'Second National Standard No.2', made with cast iron in 1859 by Smith & Hawkes of Birmingham. Around 52 designs were recorded in the last survey.

• Flywheel Water Pump and Well House in East Ilsley. The well is still functioning, except in dry weather. It was constructed in 1934, when an 80-foot borehole was sunk after a drought. It is still maintained locally and is considered an attractive feature of the historic village green.
• A stile at Marlston, Bucklebury.
• Well Head Structure on Bunces Lane, Burghfield Common. This pump was installed in 1902 and dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. Only the stump of the water pump remains, but this in good condition and an interesting local feature.

• Water Pump on School Lane, Burghfield Common. This was manufactured by Joseph Evans of Reading somewhere between 1911 and 1936.

The selection panel is formed of independent heritage experts who are not members or officers of West Berkshire Council or the Heritage Forum Committee.

The panel members present at the October meeting were Duncan Coe, Keri Dearmer, Hettie Dix, Tony Higgott, and Peter Wardle. Each recommendation was presented and debated in detail. The decisions were unanimous, except for one which was subject to one abstention.

The final decision on each recommendation will be taken by the West Berkshire Council head of planning. Details of those that are approved will be recorded in the West Berkshire Historic Environment Record (HER).

Local listing under the National Planning Policy Framework identifies a building or other heritage asset, not listed by English Heritage, of exceptional local significance and value. It is material consideration for any relevant planning application, but unlike a nationally listed structure, listed building consent will not be required and a planning application will be considered in the usual way.

The West Berkshire Heritage Forum is a formally constituted voluntary association of West Berkshire heritage societies and parish councils, operating with the support and involvement of West Berkshire Council.

Around 39 West Berkshire heritage assets have already been listed under the process for local listing, approved by West Berkshire Council in 2012.