Last chance for Sid Valley heritage project suggestions

Residents have until tomorrow (Saturday) to submit nominations for sites across the Sid Valley they would like to see formally recognised as an historical asset.

The Sid Vale Association (SVA) has already received scores of responses to its appeal for suggested locations to be included as part of its heritage project.

After the deadline for nominations passes, the suggestions will be shortlisted then passed on to district council heritage officers for consideration in a draft ‘local list’.

Sites that feature on the finished list will be afforded extra protection when council planners are considering applications.

Jeremy Woodward, from the SVA’s history group, said the organisation had received a range of interesting and quirky nominations, including the parish boundary stones.

The ground around the stones would have been cleared of debris each year to perform the ancient ‘beating the bounds’ ceremony, which saw members of the community walk the parish boundary to pray for protection in the coming year.

“But as that doesn’t happen today, then the stones are just not visible anymore,” said Mr Woodward. “That’s a very good example of a piece of local heritage which could definitely be regarded as an ‘asset’ to be acknowledged and recorded – and hopefully found once again.

“We have had about 20 nominations from one member of the public – and that’s great, as the more the merrier.”

Suggestions can include anything from a wall or piece of street furniture to entire buildings or landscapes.

And although the local list will carry less weight in planning law than the Grade I and II listing system, officials will be obliged to take it into account when making a decision.

Nominations can be made by visiting www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk or by dropping suggestions in to Sidmouth’s library or museum.