Oxford Heritage Asset Register

Overview

Oxford City Council has worked with Historic England, Oxford Preservation Trust and local communities to develop the Oxford Heritage Asset Register (OHAR).

The Heritage Asset Register identifies what is significant about local features in the historic environment and highlights their aesthetic, communal, architectural, archaeological, and historical contribution to Oxford. This is a means of identifying local value and significance within Oxford that have not otherwise been recognised in statutory national historic listings.

Inclusion of a building or place on the Heritage Asset Register places no additional legal requirements or responsibilities on property owners over and above those already required for planning permission or building regulation approval.

It can, however, help to influence planning decisions in a way that conserves and enhances local character. Under the National Planning Policy Framework, the conservation and contribution of locally listed heritage assets will be a material consideration that directly affect them or their setting.

A nominated asset must meet all four of the below criteria to be considered for inclusion on the OHAR:

• They must be capable of meeting the government’s definition of a heritage asset.
• They must possess heritage interest that can be conserved and enjoyed.
• They must have a value as heritage for the character and identity of the city, neighbourhood or community because of their heritage interest beyond personal or family connections, or the interest of individual property owners.
• They must have a level of significance that is greater than the general positive identified character of the local area.

To view the OHAR nominations for 2025 please visit our nominations page HERE

More information on Oxford’s Heritage Asset Register can be found HERE

Why your views matter

We want to hear your views on the Oxford Heritage Asset Register (OHAR) nominations that have been proposed for inclusion on the City’s Heritage Assets Register for 2025.

Please note, this consultation is only for the nominations for the upcoming OHAR list, not for existing adopted OHAR assets.