Historic England (HE) publishes an advisory document for contested heritage decisions that defines the term as ‘historic objects, buildings or places whose received or conventional narratives are currently challenged’. It accepts that while these items can be ‘especially distressing or offensive’ and ‘do not always wholly represent contemporary values’, HE’s position favours retaining them for educational value. The checklist sets out a decision-making process that includes conducting research into an item’s history and evaluating whether public benefit would outweigh any possible damage to it.