Local lists play an essential role in building and reinforcing a sense of local character and distinctiveness in the historic environment, as part of the wider range of designation. They enable the significance of any building or site on the list (in its own right and as a contributor to the local planning authority's wider strategic planning objectives), to be better taken into account in planning applications affecting the building or site or its setting. The advice supports local authorities and communities to introduce a local list in their area or make changes to an existing list, through the preparation of selection criteria, thereby encouraging a more consistent approach to the identification and management of local heritage assets across England. A local list can celebrate the breadth of the historic environment of a local area by encompassing the full range of heritage assets that make up the historic environment and ensure the proper validation and recording of local heritage assets. They also provide a consistent and accountable way of identifying local heritage assets, to the benefit of owners and developers who need to understand local development opportunities and constraints.