MORE than 70 historic sites in Wivenhoe have been given protected status.

A list has been drawn up by historians and residents to highlight those places not officially recognised by English Heritage.

Volunteers from Wivenhoe Townscape Forum surveyed the town and suggested 78 buildings and open spaces which should be given planning protection.

Members of Colchester Council’s local development framework committee adopted 76 sites.

The forum’s Robert Needham said: “All of the owners have been informed of their building being included and most have been enthusiastic.

“I hope our case study will be useful for other groups looking to do the same thing.”

Inclusion on a local list means the sites will be given special consideration when a planning application is decided.

Borough councillor John Jowers said: “It is a really good list. It is one of those things you look at and think: ‘We should have done this years ago’.”

The list excludes sites officially listed by English Heritage.

The list includes: King George V Playing Fields, Tweedledum and Tweedledee post boxes outside the High Street Post Office, Wivenhoe Centre, Phillip Road,the Station pub and the Pump House, Queens Road.

Two sites on the draft list – the St John’s Ambulance Hall, in Chapel Road, and land opposite Millfields School – were not approved as they are subject of either planning and village green applications.

Mr Needham said he was happy for the two to be dropped.

Colchester’s list includes the Mercury Theatre and the Little Crown pub, in Short Wyre Street.