A MAN who campaigned to list nearly a dozen local landmarks, including the 'Wote Street Willy', as heritage assets, has made progress.
As previously reported, Liam Harding, 22, from Kempshott, recently took it upon himself to try and get several Basingstoke landmarks added to the National Heritage List.
Despite not having much luck on a national level, with his applications rejected by Historic England, Liam persisted with his campaign and has now been informed by the council that it is considering his applications.
The local history buff spent three hours proudly filling out applications to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, requesting to add various landmarks to the local conservation list.
READ MORE: Man campaigns to get Wote Street Willy and other landmarks listed as heritage sites
Liam said he was "over the moon" with the outcome, adding "It’s an amazing achievement to secure the future of many local heritage sites so that they will be enjoyed and protected for many years to come-that was always the aim all along."
Among the listings are L’Arc twin sculpture, the Jane Austen life-sized statue, the hanging Victorian clock from the high street, the War Memorial Park bandstand and summerhouse, the Basingstoke Canal statue outside the train station, 'Poppy' the Ballerina casting, the Bluecoat Boy statue, the family sculpture outside the United Reformed Church and the Triumphal gates marking the entrance to the town centre.
Explaining the reasons behind his campaign, Liam said: "In the past few years I have travelled around the country to a lot of places and seen visually stunning sites making me get into history furthermore and architecture on a local scale.
"Recently, I wondered whether the War Memorial Park bandstand was listed and it’s not, alongside the likes of L’Arc statue outside the train station and the Bluecoat Boy statue to my surprise."
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Liam decided to attempt to fix this through the council after struggling to gain listing protection for most of the sites through Historic England on a National front, however, he is still awaiting the outcome for the Triumphal Gates, Basingstoke Canal statue, Bluecoat Boy sculpture, Wote Street Willy and the Family stone monument.
He added: "I thought if there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that nothing can be taken for granted, especially in Basingstoke.
"During the 1960s, a lot of the town was knocked down alongside a number of crucial heritage sites too, for the current shopping centre, which should never have happened, making it even more important to save the remaining unlisted historical landmarks in the town.
"For instance, Emanuel Church on Wote Street was demolished in 1969 where 'Wote Street Willy' now stands and pays respect to whilst also being a key focal point in Basingstoke."
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The Wote Street Willy has created a name for itself since it was erected in 1994, due to its unique shape and curvature, which has given cause for ridicule.
Liam added: "Locals and celebrities who have visited Basingstoke have found this a laughing stock but it actually holds greater historical significance than that which many are probably not aware of.
"Whether it’s loved or loathed, the Church stone has quickly become a memorable monument in a short space of time and Basingstoke wouldn’t be the same without it in current time.
"Not all historically significant sites are pretty, but all are essential to look after."
A spokesperson for BDBC said: "The council has received nominations for 11 sites in the borough to be locally listed.
"Locally listed structures are recognised by the council as being important to the county’s heritage, due to their architectural, historic or archaeological significance.
"This protection is a level lower than the listed buildings status awarded by the secretary of state, which would give the structures protection under planning law.
"The sites nominated have been logged for consideration for the council’s local list and no decision has yet been taken."
Cllr Andy Konieczko, Cabinet Member for strategic planning and infrastructure, said: "It is encouraging to hear that people value our local architecture and I am pleased that Liam has been in touch with us about these local monuments.
"We will review all of the suggestions that have been made."
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