Markfield Parish Neighbourhood Plan: Referendum Version 4.74. On Main Street, the sense of enclosure created by domestically scaled buildings close to each other and the highways boundary has, unfortunately, been partly destroyed by incongruous new development. 4.75. The other areas within the conservation boundary, reflect Markfield's agricultural and industrial past with many stone buildings built in the vernacular style.
Non-Designated Features of Local Heritage Interest
4.76. The above places have already been designated and offered protection through national and local planning policies, however there are other buildings and sites in the parish that make a positive contribution providing local character because of their heritage value. Although such heritage features may not be nationally designated, they may be offered some level of protection through the Neighbourhood Plan. 4.77. A list of Features of Local Heritage Interest (Map 10) has been compiled from the following sources: Self-guided Village Trail 4.78. Markfield Local History Group has prepared a village trail booklet which identifies around 40 points of interest with explanations of their historical significance. A display board on Main Street also outlines the village trail and areas of interest. Markfield Conservation Area Appraisal 4.79. The Conservation Area Appraisal lists important local buildings several of which are identified by blue plaques within the village each containing a brief description. Leicestershire & Rutland Historic Environment Record 4.80. The Leicestershire & Rutland Historic Environment Record (HER) is the most complete record of Leicestershire and Rutland's known archaeological remains, including historic buildings. The HER identifies four historic buildings in Markfield which are not already listed and 24 archaeological remains. Ridge and Furrow 4.81. Ridge and furrow is an archaeological pattern of ridges and troughs created by a system of ploughing used in Europe during the Middle Ages, typical of the open field system. This feature of the farming system that predated Enclosure was characteristic of Leicestershire countryside, but very little ridge and furrow now remains in Markfield. 4.82. ‘Turning the Plough’ ridge and furrow data has been provided by the Leicestershire Historic Environment Record office and is shown on Map 11. Ridge and furrow sites are non-designated heritage assets of archaeological interest. 40
