Oxford’s iconic Headington Shark is among 17 additions to the Oxford Heritage Asset Register.

Their inclusion on the register was approved at a city council planning meeting yesterday.

The register recognises places of important local cultural, social or historic value.

Magnus Hanson-Heine opposed the move and said that by making the Shark a heritage asset, it undermined the artwork and political statement it was seeking to preserve.

Dr Hanson-Heine, 34, inherited the house from his late dad Bill in 2016 who installed the statue in secret without planning permission in 1986 and caused a six-year planning row with Oxford City Council.

He was only able to keep it when Michael Heseltine backed an appeal in 1992.

Inclusion of a building or place on the register “helps to influence planning decisions in a way that conserves and enhances local character”.

It does not place any extra legal requirements on owners.

The nominations were made by members of the public.

The other 16 sites added to the register are: 

Temple Cowley Library, Temple Road, Cowley

The Printworks, Crescent Road, Cowley

69 London Road, Headington

105 London Road, Headington

Medieval Wall, The Grates, Cowley

The Lodge, Binsey Lane

The Lodge, Rose Hill Cemetery, Church Cowley Road

Weirs House, Weirs Lane

The Chapel, Rose Hill Cemetery, Church Cowley Road

Bailey Bridge, Port Meadow

Crown and Thistle Pub, 132 Old Road, Headington

The Westgate Hotel, 1 Botley Road

182-184 Abingdon Road

Scout Hall, 238 Marston Road

The Old Vicarage, 41 Lake Street, New Hinksey

United Reformed (formerly Congregational) Church, Temple Cowley