Principal Criteria
to be satisfied for a subject to be commemorated by a plaque
1. The event, person, institution or building commemorated must be of very special importance in the history, heritage or shaping of Leeds.
a. Because blue plaques commemorate history and heritage, a sufficient period of time must have elapsed for the subject commemorated to be truly regarded as part of history. A period of at least 50 years should normally have elapsed.
b. People commemorated must have had a highly significant impact on the life or development of Leeds, or their achievements or activities must have been of national significance. Such people should have lived or worked in Leeds for a period sufficient for the city to have had a significant influence in forming their character or shaping their activities.
c. To qualify for a historic blue plaque a person needs to be dead. At least ten years should normally have passed since their death, so that sufficient time has elapsed for an objective evaluation to be made of their local or national significance.
2. A prominent and physically suitable structure (normally a building or wall) on which the plaque can be erected should exist. There needs to be a strong association between the structure and the subject of the plaque.
a. The owner of the structure needs to be amenable to the erection of the plaque.
b. It is the very nature of a blue plaque that there is a strong association between the physical structure on which the plaque is erected and the subject of the plaque. Departing from this principle would dilute the essence of the blue plaques scheme.
c. A major element of the scheme is celebrating the city’s built heritage. There is therefore a very strong presumption against erecting plaque commemorating the sites of buildings now demolished.
d. An exception to 2(b) above may be made for pre-19th century buildings. In a few cases the Trust has erected plaques marking the sites of buildings of immense significance in the history of Leeds, for example the medieval manor house and the Georgian Coloured Cloth Hall. In such cases the function and location of the buildings give a very valuable insight into the pre-industrial topography of the town and the nature of town life in earlier centuries.
3. There must be a sponsor or group of sponsors prepared to meet the cost of the plaque.
a. Currently the cost of a plaque is £750. This covers cost of manufacture, erection and future maintenance.