Historic England has today (Wednesday) highlighted some "captivating" South West Heritage sites - and on the list is Saltash library.

As 2021 draws to a close, Historic England has pulled together a range of highlights from nearly 300 sites across the country which have been protected through listing or scheduling in the past year.

Highlights include a striking post-war library in Cornwall, the home of poet Charles Tomlinson, and a remarkably intact 19th century blacksmith’s shop, a poignant reminder of the importance of ‘smithies’ to rural communities.

Heritage Minister, Nigel Huddleston, said: "Listing these significant historic sites means we can protect our valuable heritage for future generations to learn from and ensure they are on the map for local people and visitors to be proud of and enjoy. This year’s entries on to the list span the length and breadth of the country and have something to inspire everyone."

Ross Simmonds, Acting Regional Director at Historic England, said: “The additional places protected this year shows the diversity of our region’s shared heritage, from progressive public buildings in Cornwall to the Gloucestershire home of Charles Tomlinson, an acclaimed 20th century poet. These wonderful historic sites are now protected for future generations, and we encourage people to apply for listing, or share their photos and videos of listed sites, through our website.”

Saltash Library, Saltash, Cornwall – Listed Grade II

A striking example of post-war library design by a forward-looking architect Saltash Library was one of five new libraries built by Cornwall County Council in the post-war years to provide a service under local authority management with new, modern libraries. They all survive, and Saltash is the second to be added to the List.

A 1959 Committee on Public Libraries report, which called for more expenditure on buildings, as well as books, led to the construction of 350 libraries in England between 1960 and 1965, many in commuter towns and areas with growing populations. A number of these libraries were architecturally ambitious, based on American and Scandinavian models combining library services with a social function, with double-height spaces, comfortable seating areas and children’s collections.

Saltash Library was designed by Royston Summers (1931-2012) and Cornwall County Architect F K Hicklin in 1961 and opened in 1963. It was originally intended to be the flagship building for an ambitious Civic Centre scheme and new housing prompted by an anticipated growth in population. The scheme was never realised.

Summers was one of a number of newly-qualified architects recruited by the Council under Hicklin to design the libraries and other public buildings. The design for Saltash Library is one of the most architecturally ambitious and at the time of opening it was considered the county’s ‘most modern’ building. It bears a striking resemblance to Le Corbusier’s Palace of Justice at Chandigarh, India, of 1956.

Summers left Cornwall in 1964 to set up his own practice. He specialised in energy efficient housing and won several prestigious awards for his work in this field throughout his career. Saltash Library is currently the only building by this creative and forward-thinking architect to be listed.

Other areas from the list included Falmouth, Dartmouth, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.