The council has more than 200 buildings and other structures of architectural and historic importance classed as listed, which enjoy protection against unauthorised alteration and demolition.

However, there are many other heritage assets that don’t meet the criteria for listed status but still make a significant contribution to the character, appearance and history of Poole.

The list was created following Government guidance and a policy to protect these assets has been included in the Site Specific Allocations Document.

Councillor Ron Parker, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Economy, Borough of Poole, said: "The council recognises the contribution these assets make to Poole’s already rich heritage. This is a fantastic opportunity for local people and communities to help develop the historic environment of the borough further. The list will really help to develop a sense local identity and reinforce our history in many areas."

Heritage assets can include:

• Locally listed buildings and other features
• Unscheduled ancient monuments
• Known archaeological sites and areas of archaeological significance
• Historic landscapes and landscape features, such as a pond or tree with historic relevance
• Locally significant parks and gardens
• Locally produced artefacts, such as pottery plaques and statues

A heritage asset must meet just one of the following criteria to be considered for inclusion on the list:

• Have a special value within a certain ‘type’ of asset, for example, a special bridge or house
• Display technological innovations
• Have group value, such as a row of old terraced houses or group of trees
• Illustrate social development and economic history
• Be of good design, reflecting period and style
• Designed by a well-known architect or craftsman of national or local reputation
• Have important historic or archaeological importance
• Have landscape importance

Inclusion on the list does not affect planning rights and any permitted development rights or consents remain unchanged. However, the effect on the significance of heritage assets will be considered when determining any application that may affect an asset or its setting.

Residents that know of a feature or building they would like included in the list can apply free of charge online at boroughofpoole.com or call Hazel Brushett, Planning Officer on 01202 633343.

Hayley Pope

Corrals – fuel oil distributors; R H Newman & Sons – boatbuilders; Wilkins & Wilkins – Marine Engineers; Stoneyard Ballast; The Shipwright Arms public house; J Bolson & Sons – shipbuilders and engineers; Hamworthy Engineering and, lastly, Wood’s coal wharf.

Businesses on the Poole side included:

Bradford’s warehouse; Christopher Hill’s silo; Yeatman’s mill; Burden’s coalyard; The Fish Shambles – where the local catch was sold; Poole Pottery, then the Gasworks.

A railway track ran from Poole station, down West Quay Road and along the quay itself. Various loads were transported in the wagons, like timber and grain, plus coal to fuel the paddle steamers: The Embassy, The Monarch, The Bournemouth Queen and The Empress of India. The railway lines along the quay could cause difficulties for cyclists. Bike wheels could easily be trapped in them, resulting in the rider ‘tasting the tarmac’ – my unfortunate experience on more than one occasion!

The first Poole bridge was a wooden structure, replaced in 1914 by an iron swing bridge (toll payable) which, in turn, was followed by our present lifting bridge. Previous to these, the crossing was via a ferry boat manned by two crewmen who hauled the ferry across manually using two fixed ropes spanning the water from one side of the quay to the other. They were able to take as many as seventy passengers at a time.

The lifting bridge, completed in 1927, was a often a problem for people whose place of employment was on the opposite side of the quay to their home, as its random closing could cause them to be late for work and, consequently, lose pay. If three blasts of a ship’s siren were heard, the public had to make a dash to beat the closure of the gates. The bridge was operated by just one man who endured many abusive comments being thrown at him as, by hand, he closed the gates. People’s frustration was usually caused by the fact that, at times, he had to close the gates when a ship was about half a mile away which seemed unreasonable to those waiting. Unpopular though he was (through no fault of his own) he was never bothered by it.

In the 1940s, as young apprentices, we lads would wait for the bridge-keeper to enter his operating tower, then lift our bikes over the gates and pedal like mad before the bridge began to rise. We were never caught as the keeper couldn’t leave his station while operating the mechanism! During World War II, our bridge remained unscathed, although a stack of bombs was dropped along the quay and HMS Sona, a training ship moored about fifty yards away, was sunk. The only means of defence of the bridge at that time were two Home Guard sentries.

Electronically operated barriers and lights now equip the bridge – a great improvement on one man’s hands! And, what of the future? The new ‘Twin Sails’ bridge has now been ratified to supplement the one we have – I do hope it meets expectations. After all the years of queuing, on foot and in car, perhaps a fixed bridge across Holes Bay may have been more convenient all along!