Not all of York's historic or important buildings are protected by being listed. ALISON SINCLAIR, chair of the York Open Planning Forum, suggests that what is needed is a local list.

In 1882, John William Proctor, the managing director of Henry Richardson's Clementhorpe Tannery and Fertiliser Works beside Skeldergate Bridge, decided to build himself a handsome new house at a distance from his doubtless smelly place of work. So he bought two and a quarter acres of land between the Knavesmire and the Ouse riverbank, on the very edge of the city overlooking the fields leading to Bishopthorpe.

On the lower side of his land was a great ash tree from which he took the name for his new house, Ashcroft.

In 1925, when Mr Proctor died, his house was bought by Francis Terry whose new factory was being built opposite, on the far side of Bishopthorpe Road.

Although Francis Terry never lived in Ashcroft himself, several members of his family did from time to time.

By the 1990s, the location of the house and extent of its grounds made it ripe for redevelopment and a planning application for its demolition was lodged with the council.

Many local people objected to the redevelopment proposals, either because they thought the spaciousness of the grounds provided a proper transition between the built-up city and the openness of the countryside towards Bishopthorpe, or because they appreciated the rich Victorian architecture of the house.

Their objections were in vain.

The Ashcroft has gone now and in its place stands a perfectly respectable block of flats with a terrace of expensive houses facing the river behind.

But a valued piece of local history with close associations in the area has been lost.

There are similarities between what happened to Ashcroft and to Burton Croft last July, although in the latter case, redevelopment proposals were resisted, with the result that the developers are now going to appeal.

But both houses were handsome Victorian mansions, both stood in locations outside existing conservation areas and both made positive contributions to the local scene.

Neither house qualified for statutory listing, so both lacked protection against proposals for demolition.

At present, there is no established way of safeguarding unlistable buildings in the city which are outside a conservation area but are valued by the community for their importance in the local scene or for significant local historical associations.

Some local authorities make provision for them by compiling lists of buildings of local interest and importance, known as local lists.

Where these lists are publicised and supported by agreed guidelines for their conservation, they will enjoy a measure of protection.

It is important to recognise, however, that the level of protection is less than the full statutory protection afforded to nationally listed buildings.

Nevertheless, they provide much stronger grounds upon which to resist unacceptable proposals for redevelopment.

The kind of structures qualifying for local listing are not necessarily houses such as Ashcroft and Burton Croft.

Not so long ago, J W Proctor's granddaughters joined the granddaughter of Henry Richardson's coachman to reinstate a drinking trough which had been moved to the old cattle market but got lost during its redevelopment as the Barbican.

Now the trough is back in its proper place at the beginning of Cherry Street, close to the site of Henry Richardson's house and tannery, commemorating the contribution his family made to the locality. A little piece of local history has been rescued and respected.

The city council has indicated it wishes to explore with the York Open Planning Forum the possibility of drawing up a local list for York. The Forum will be holding a meeting next Tuesday at 7.30pm to discuss the proposal with an officer from the council.

The meeting will take place in the CVS Priory Street Centre, in the Knavesmire Room, and anyone may attend, bringing with them suggestions of local buildings or structures they would like to see included on a list. Illustrations of proposed buildings or structures will be helpful in our discussion.

u Do you have examples of houses, or of special features such as public shelters, pavilions, bridges, water troughs or village halls that you think deserve the protection of being on a local list? If so, attend the Open Planning Forum Meeting next Tuesday, or send details to the Evening Press, using the coupon below. Claims made on behalf of the structure must be genuine and capable of authentication.

Why are buildings listed?

The Government has a statutory duty to list buildings held to be of special architectural or historic interest. The list is essentially a national register recording the best of British buildings. It includes everything from castles and cathedrals to mileposts and village pumps. Not all the buildings and other structures listed are necessarily beautiful - some are included purely for their historical value.

u Criteria for listing: All buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed, most buildings of 1700 to 1840, though selection is necessary. Between 1840 and 1914 only buildings of definite quality and character are listed, and the selection is designed to include the principal works of the principal architects. Between 1914 and 1939, selected buildings of high quality or historic interest are listed and a few outstanding buildings erected after 1939.

u Grades: The buildings are classified in grades to show their relative importance. Grade I: buildings of exceptional interest (about 2 per cent of listed buildings). Grade II* : particularly important buildings of more than special interest (4 per cent of listed buildings). Grade II: buildings of special interest, which warrant every effort being made to preserve them.

u What protection does being listed give? It is an offence to demolish, alter or extend a listed building without consent, and the penalties can be heavy. The fact that a building is listed does not necessarily mean that it must be preserved intact for all time but it does mean that anyone who wishes to demolish, alter or extend it must have "listed building consent" from the local planning authority. This will be in addition to any planning permission needed.

u Local lists: The Government also recognises that many buildings "valued for their contribution to the local scene, or for local historical reasons" do not make it on to the national register of listed buildings. Many such buildings are protected by conservation areas - but local councils also have the power to draw up lists of locally important buildings.

Government guidance makes clear that buildings registered on such a local list, however, do not enjoy the full protection of statutory listing.

Tony Dennis, Head of Design, Conservation and Sustainable Development at City of York Council says legislation on listing is being considered by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and there may be changes in future on the status of buildings on local lists. "At present, however, they are only subject to normal development control procedures and protection."

Councillors in York considered a report on local lists at a planning and transport meeting earlier this month, but decided to wait until the DCMS listing report was finalised before going ahead with a list.

Mr Dennis also confirmed that the council would, however, be talking to the York Open Planning Forum about the issue.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, February 20, 2004