Market Harborough: Proposal to protect nine places of special interest

The old railway station in Kibworth Beauchamp could be protected

A proposal has been put forward to protect nine places of special interest in Leicestershire.

Harborough District Council has identified a list of assets worthy of protection due to their historic, architectural or archaeological interest.

It is asking residents for their views on protecting the sites, which include a World War Two airfield.

If approved, the sites would be known as non-designated heritage assets.

They have a "degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions" as to the effect on the building or surrounding area but do not meet the criteria for designated heritage assets, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The Village Shop in Medbourne could become a non-designated heritage asset

The Husbands Bosworth Airfield is among the places identified by the council and is an example of World War Two infrastructure.

It was built with three runways and was tasked with training crews to undertake night bombing operations.

Also on the list is Tollgate Cottage, a rare surviving example of a tollhouse, which would have been common when access to the road was controlled.

Tollgate Cottage in Bitteswell was built in the mid-18th to early 19th Century

Darren Woodiwiss, the council's heritage champion, said: "Heritage assets such as these are an irreplaceable resource and should be conserved in a manner that is appropriate to their significance so that they can be enjoyed for future generations.

"We must carefully consider where development is located in order to ensure that important heritage assets are not adversely affected."

The nine proposed additions to the non-designated heritage assets list are:

• Auburn Place, Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth

• Engineering Factory, Fairfield Road, Market Harborough

• Former Barclays Bank, High Street, Market Harborough

• Former HSBC, High Street, Market Harborough

• Former NatWest, St Mary's Road, Market Harborough

• Former Station, Kibworth Beauchamp

• Husbands Bosworth Airfield, Sibbertoft Road, Husbands Bosworth

• Tollgate Cottage, Lutterworth Road, Bitteswell

• Village Shop, Springbank, Medbourne

Harborough residents are also being consulted on the conservation area appraisal for the village of Great Easton.