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Milestone is District's 1,000th listed building

The Fetcham Milestone at Hawk's Hill has become Mole Valley's 100th listed structure

A MILESTONE has appropriately helped Mole Valley reach a milestone of its own by becoming the 1,000th structure in the district to be given listed building status.

The recommendation from Mole Valley District Council that the early 19th century, late-Georgian milestone be listed has now earned the approval of the Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Tessa Jowell.

The milestone, made of hard-wearing Portland stone, has sat on the grass verge at Hawk's Hill, Fetcham, since the early 1800s, proudly informing travellers of the mileage to London (19), Leatherhead (2) and Guildford (11).

It has now been listed at Grade II, which will give it the same level of protection as medieval houses and parish churches.

MVDC councillor Tony Moore (Con, Bookham North) said: "Listed buildings are a significant part of the heritage of Mole Valley. They are important to the special character of the district and therefore to our social, economic and environmental well-being.

"The role of the council in conserving and protecting the built environment is one that we take very seriously whether it involves something as small as a milestone or as large as one of the great churches."

The milestone came to prominence during proposals for the redevelopment of the nearby Rising Sun public house, close to the stone.

The council feared it could be inadvertently removed by contractors or damaged by vehicles and sent a request to the Culture Secretary. Developers Bovis Homes also arranged for the stone to be protected from damage with posts and netting.

Terry Keegan, of the Milestone Society, expressed his admiration of the council for seeking to protect the historic milestone.

He said: "The society is delighted when a milestone is listed like this. Some councils are very good and look after their milestones but others don't and that is very sad".

"The stones were put up in the days of horse and carriage, and although we have road signs to do their job now, we consider them to be a very important part of our roadside heritage.

The listed structures in Mole Valley range in age from medieval hall houses and parish churches to modern steel and glass buildings, some built as recently as the 1970's.

As well as many picturesque historic cottages and town houses, the district also has listed red telephone boxes, gravestones, pavements, gas lamps and water pumps.

To help conserve these buildings and structures, the council offers practical advice to owners on their repair and maintenance as well as controlling alterations through the planning system.

The list of listed buildings is not closed and it is possible that other structures may yet be discovered which meet the strict criteria set for inclusion.

Article taken from The Dorking Advertiser, Thursday March 16, 2005.

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