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East Devon has a rich historic environment and an abundance of heritage assets which have helped to shape its distinctive character and identity.

Our heritage assets, which are valued parts of the historic environment, are an irreplaceable resource that provide significant social, economic and environmental benefits for East Devon. It is important that we set out a positive strategy for their conservation and enjoyment, for this and future generations.

In East Devon we are fortunate to have over 3200 assets of significant architectural and historic importance that are listed nationally. These include:

  • Listed Buildings
  • Scheduled Monuments
  • Registered Parks and Gardens
  • Conservation Areas
  • A World Heritage Site coastline

We also have a wealth of heritage assets of more local interest in our towns, villages and countryside that contribute to the special character of their locality.

East Devon Heritage Strategy (2019-2031)

We have recently produced a Heritage Strategy for the District.  This includes:

  • Information on the role of the Council and other organisations
  • A summary of our historic environment, its heritage assets and their significance
  • Current policies and programmes relating to the management of our heritage assets
  • An analysis of the value of our heritage, socially, economically and environmentally
  • Details of how we can work with communities and other partners
  • A 12 year action plan for the delivery of our recommendations.

The strategy was adopted in March 2019 following a public consultation.

East Devon Guide to the Listing of Local Heritage Assets

It is often the features that are not significant on a national scale that make the biggest contribution to the distinctiveness of a local area. Some of these local, or ‘undesignated’ heritage assets may meet the required criteria to be placed on a list of local heritage assets. This can have a positive effect on the planning process and be beneficial for local places and communities.

We have recently produced a Guide to the Listing of Local Heritage Assets.  This is intended to help local communities identify and assess features of character with a local heritage value. The guide was adopted in June 2019 following a public consultation.

The guide includes an assessment procedure on pages 9-10, which explains how nominations for the list may be made, through parish or town councils, local organisations or ward members.  It also includes an assessment form on pages 15–18 which sets out what is needed and may be helpful when gathering information for a proposed heritage asset.

Nominations for the list should be made by completing the online form.

What happens next?

When you have submitted a nomination, you will receive an acknowledgement and a case number. We will notify you when a decision has been made and publish details of the decision on this webpage. Details relating to data protection are provided below.

East Devon List of Local Heritage Assets

We are currently assessing items that have been nominated for inclusion on our list of local heritage assets.  The list of items ratified to date (latest version published January 2023) is available to view and print.

Latest News

The first year of the East Devon Heritage Strategy has been a productive one, with 19 actions successfully delivered to date. Full details are available in the Heritage Strategy Monitoring Report (2019–2020). Our Conservation Officers have also been working within Development Management to deliver our statutory duties.

Actions during 2019-2020 included:

  • Adopting a new Guide to the Listing of Local Heritage Assets for East Devon
  • Setting up a new List of Local Heritage Assets
  • Creating a new Council Heritage Working Group
  • Developing and delivering a pilot scheme Conservation Area Appraisal, Review and Management Plan involving the community, with training
  • Working with partners, including Historic England, the Devon Historic Environment Record team, East Devon AONB and local history organisations
  • Supporting events such as the East Devon AONB Heritage Conference
  • Promoting the heritage of East Devon and the strategy through press releases
  • Improving the Council’s heritage webpage with links to further guidance

Pilot Scheme

A pilot scheme involving local people in their built heritage was launched in East Budleigh in October 2019, as part of the East Devon Heritage Strategy (2019–2031).

The project aimed to build knowledge and skills amongst volunteers to help manage, protect and enhance the heritage assets of their area, bringing many benefits. Initial training was provided for 14 people, including members of the Otter Valley Association, Sid Vale Association and East Budleigh Parish Council.

There was excellent feedback from the event, with all participants reporting an improvement in their knowledge and understanding of conservation areas. Volunteers commented that they found the training enjoyable, informative and inspirational.  

Further sessions with members of this group led to the production of the East Budleigh Conservation Area Appraisal, Review and Management Plan.  It also led to the listing of local heritage assets identified within the conservation area.

Many partners made the project possible, with funding from the East Devon AONB Sustainable Development Fund and the Norman Family Trust, and support from the Otter Valley Association, East Devon District Council and Historic England.

Further Information

The following links provide more information and guidance on heritage in England, the South West and Devon.

Websites

Historic England
Historic England Advice finder
The National Heritage List for England
Devon Historic Environment Record
Heritage Gateway

Historic England Report and Advice Notes

Conservation Area Appraisal, Designation and Management; Advice Note 1 (2019)
Local Heritage Listing; Advice Note 7
Heritage Counts 2018 (South West)
Heritage at Risk register
Heritage at Risk in the South West
Heritage at Risk advice

Heritage Training

Historic England - Training Resources
Devon Rural Archives

East Devon District Council linked services 

Empty Homes
Regeneration

Data Protection

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