Borough residents are being urged to nominate sites for addition to the Local List, which could include buildings such as churches, pubs or structures such as a colliery shaft or turnpike milestone.

The nominations are being sought as Dudley Council looks to update its local heritage list. It comes after the four Black Country councils won £70,000 of Government funding earlier this year to improve, update and extend their records of important local heritage assets.

Local heritage lists help the council to formally identify, protect and promote sites which play a significant role in the local character and distinctiveness of the borough.

The lists can contain historic buildings and structures, archaeological and geological sites and other heritage assets. They play an important part in the planning process, ensuring the heritage value of a site is considered when making planning decisions.

The four authorities already have more than 1,000 entries on combined local lists. Now local people, groups and societies are being invited to get involved and help identify the places and spaces they feel should be included on the local heritage lists. Sites within existing conservation areas are already afforded protection. Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said:

"As a council we are very proud of our Local List. In September we completed the first stage of a detailed review of the existing local list. This is the second stage of that project where we are now looking to identify buildings and structures to add to the Local List.

"Our borough is full of history and character. This is a great opportunity for residents to get involved and put forward their favourite historic building or structure for consideration for addition to the local list.

"It will help us make sure our local heritage lists reflect the wide range of heritage assets that have helped shaped the local character and distinctiveness of the borough and the wider Black Country.

"It’s really important that local people take part in this project, alongside the four Black County councils and groups and societies. We are surrounded by a historic environment and it is important that we do all we can to recognise it."

To nominate your favourite place or space for the local heritage list, visit blackcountrylocallist.org.uk. The nominations open on November 15 and run until February 14 2022.

Once all nominations have been made, further research will be undertaken to assess the sites against the selection criteria. Recommendations will then be made as to whether a nomination should be locally listed, may fulfil criteria for National Listing, or should be added to each councils’ Historic Environment Record.

Following receipt of the recommendations there will be a public consultation on the new additions in 2022, and then adoption and publication of the updated local heritage lists for each authority.

City of Wolverhampton Council is the lead authority on the project and has been working with the other Black Country councils, local societies and groups as well as specialists TDR Heritage to review the existing lists and agree selection criteria for new suggestions.

Funding to create and update the lists came from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The Black Country was one of 22 areas in England to have made a successful bid.

To view the Council’s existing Local List, you can visit dudley.gov.uk.