A VICTORIAN postbox, statues, stone street signs, historic buildings and an old tomb are among the interesting assets that Stroud Town Council is seeking to protect – and it’s asking people to nominate their favourites.

The draft list has been drawn up of heritage assets within the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP); something that is considered to be of special interest because of their historic, architectural, design or townscape value.

Now the Town Council is asking people for their input on the list of items within its Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) area and to flag up anything they think should be included.

Stroud Preservation Trust and a group of volunteers nominated more than 100 buildings, sculptures and street furniture to kickstart the list of possible heritage assets.

A committee of local experts then whittled it down to 45 items of note, including John Hollings’ tomb in St Laurence’s churchyard, a canal lock and some railings, the old cinema building in Lansdown, and the former factory in Cheapside that has been converted in to the Hill Paul flats.

Trust members provided photographs and details for each of the entries.

Once approved by the Council’s Consultations Committee it will be the first list of its kind for the District.

Town Mayor Kevin Cranston explained that locally listed heritage assets are different from listed buildings, which are designated at a national level by Historic England.

“The locally listed assets are not under legislative control and don’t dictate whether planning permission is needed for any changes,” he said.

“But the title simply means that any planning applications affecting such an asset will need to take into account its special interest and that will ensure we can keep a watchful eye on these town treasures.”

The owners of the buildings nominated, local groups and members of the public are invited to comment on the things picked so far.

People can also have a look at the list and nominate anything they feel is of importance to the town that’s not already on it.

This can include gardens and parks, buildings or interesting features such as sculptures or lampposts.

To nominate, fill in a nomination form with details of the object and send it with a photograph to council@stroudtown.gov.uk. Only assets within the Stroud Town Centre NDP area will be considered.

Hard copies of all the entries can be seen at Stroud Town Council offices at 58 London Road, Stroud, GL5 2AD.

The office is open from 10am to 1.30pm on Monday to Thursday, and from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Fridays. The consultation runs until  February 26, 2018.

FACTFILE Some of the earmarked heritage assets include:

  • A vending machine on Farrs Lane
  • The Victorian postbox in Lansdown
  • Iron kerbs in Wallbridge and Nelson Street
  • The old factory in Cheapside
  • The Retreat pub, Church Street
  • The former cinema turned Warehouse nightclub, London Road
  • Holloway House, Station Road
  • Stone signs around the town
  • Walkers Bakery, Kendrick Street
  • Bank Gardens, Lansdown
  • The Duffle shop, John Street
  • John Hollings’ tomb in St Laurence’s churchyard, the Shambles
  • Iron railings at Dirleton House, The Hill

With thanks to Steve Hurrell for giving permission for his stunning photos to be used with this article.