YORK residents are being asked whether they want a new list of sites which are seen as being vital to the city’s heritage and character to be compiled.

A City of York Council consultation, which began yesterday and runs until July 31, is seeking views on whether a “Local List” should be produced, outlining sites which play a part in the architectural and historic fabric of the city.

It follows work carried out by the York Open Planning Forum, including conservationist Alison Sinclair, to prepare a draft list of 180 entries from public nominations, ranging from buildings and monuments to areas and landscapes. It includes a Dunnington phone box, the Rowntree Park lodge and cafe and Haxby Memorial Hall.

Any Local List would be put in place in addition to buildings which are already considered of national importance and have official listed status. The consultation will not be based around what should be included on any list.

An open forum will be held at 7pm on July 2, in the Denham Room at the Priory Street Centre, to discuss the issue. Consultation forms are available in libraries and at the council’s West Offices HQ and at york.gov.uk/localheritagelist, and more information is available by phoning the council’s design, conservation and sustainable development team on 01904 551672.