Rarity

Often assessed with Age, rarity in the local context can include aspects of style, design, plan form, usage, purpose or construction techniques.  For example, Art Deco architecture may be found widely in parts of the Wirral, but features less in other areas, so a good example of an Art Deco building in Knowsley or Sefton may have more significance.  Another example might be farm buildings constructed before 1800, particularly in areas where towns grew to support growing populations replacing agriculture areas and farmsteads.

Hilbre Island Telegraph Station

Image Courtesy National Museums Liverpool

Bluebell Cottages, Huyton

These mock Tudor cottages date from the 1840s and are an unusual style for this era (image courtesy Knowsley Archive Services)

Thatched cottage, Formby

Thatching can be a rare roofing method in parts of the region. (image courtesy National Museums Liverpool)

Some old buildings may remain with little alteration from the original form or provide evidence of traditional building techniques, prior to industrialisation and standardisation of processes.  Alternatively, they could be buildings or street furniture that are unique to the area and contribute to local character and identity.

Helpful Questions:

  • Does the building represent a usage type uncommon locally and/or nationally?
  • Does the asset represent an architectural or artistic style uncommon in the area?
  • Is it a surviving wartime structure?
  • Does the building represent a style or type that is specific to the local area?
  • Is it an original street sign, gates, wall, railings or other street furniture that have widely been replaced elsewhere?

Follow the links below or at the top of the page for other criterion.