A MAN who is single-handedly campaigning for Basingstoke monuments including the Wote Street Willy to be listed, has received the backing of the town's MP.
The effort, led by Basingstoke Heritage Society member Liam Harding, 22, was backed by Basingstoke MP Luke Murphy after a bid to secure national listing through Historic England for nine monuments was rejected.
Mr Harding, from Kempshott, had sought recognition for sites including the Church Stone (also known as Wote Street Willy), the War Memorial Park bandstand, the L’Arc twin statue outside the railway station, the Jane Austen life-size monument, the Poppy Ballerina statue, the Bluecoat Boy statue, the Family monument outside the United Reformed Church, the Basingstoke Canal statue near the station, and the Triumphal Gates at the top of town.
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Following the rejection, he contacted Mr Murphy for support.
Liam said: "It’s definitely been great and reassuring to have an extra pair of hands in helping my heritage campaign succeed, in Luke and his team, who I’m grateful for in trying to persuade Historic England to reconsider their decision."
Mr Murphy’s office contacted Historic England, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, and Hampshire Cultural Trust on Mr Harding’s behalf.
However, Historic England stood by its original decision.
In a letter to Mr Harding and Mr Murphy, a Historic England spokesperson said: "In our initial assessment of the applications, we found that the pieces of art and structures put forward for listing were not under threat and did not have very strong potential to be listed as nationally significant.
"We reached that conclusion by applying the Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings (Department of Culture Media and Sport) and our listing selection guidance.
"For example, the statue of Jane Austen dates to 2017 and is less than 30 years old; the principles explain buildings or structures of this date are not normally considered to be of special architectural or historic interest because they are yet to stand the test of time.
"Should the situation change, particularly with regard to any specific threat, Mr Harding can submit new applications in the future.
"We appreciate that the structures put forward have local importance for the Basingstoke community and we have provided Mr Harding with information about other ways to protect their local interest."
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council also recognised the value of Mr Harding’s campaign.
A spokesperson said in a letter to the pair: "The advice provided by the Historic Environment Team has explained that whilst these structures have not been designated as listed by Historic England, they do have historic value and, in some instances, do have formal heritage status.
"Mr Harding has been advised of the council’s Local List.
"There is a nomination form whereby residents can nominate sites for local listing."
Mr Harding has now submitted nine forms to the council for inclusion on the Local List and is awaiting feedback.
He has also contacted Hampshire County Council, which has agreed to add the monuments to the county’s historic environment records (HER).
Mr Harding said: "The sites I’ve proposed might not be added to the national heritage list, but I’ve managed to single-handedly have them added to the HER records, and now by the sounds of things the Local List, which is being worked on by multiple parties including Basingstoke Heritage Society who have also stood behind my campaign too recently since joining.
"It’s been a bit of an uphill battle, but it’s only through people like myself that local heritage is preserved and cared for going forward."
He said each monument reflected an important aspect of the town’s history, culture, and identity.
