2008 Issue Number 1 SHTAV NEWS Journal of The Association of small Historic Towns and Villages of the UK

above RICHMOND YORKSHIRE Understanding Market Towns

The Village

1 some family lines to be followed down the centuries.

The writing of this book grew out of a relatively simple request by the Atherstone Civic Society, in 2002/3, for funds to preserve an ancient animal pound. The Countryside Agency, and subsequently the Heritage Lottery Fund, insisted that a wider project be embarked upon, one that would involve the entire community. The HART project was born. Additional funding came from Nationwide (through the Countryside Agency), Advantage West Midlands and Atherstone & Polesworth Market Towns Programme.

From the £35,000 in grants, funds were used to pay for the first professional historic building survey of Atherstone town centre. The services of a trained archivist were also employed. The town has benefited unexpectedly from the information these specialists were able to provide, for example by now having a survey of all the town's buildings of historic architectural significance. The size of the task undertaken by the HART group is reflected by the credits list of over 50 team members, helpers or professional advisers.

The major sponsors required the initial book to be accessible and readable by ONCE UPON A TIME book is to be in an 'easy-reading format'. everyone in the community. Local educa- IN ATHERSTONE That has certainly been achieved. But that tionalist Margaret Hughes offered to write Author: Margaret Hughes term belies the depth of research and skill the history, so research information was Publisher: Atherstone Civic Society of presentation, which are what makes the passed to her as it came to light. The is introduced by book so informative as well as engaging. project's progress was kept in the public Ginny James It's often said that the hardest thing to do eye. To maintain enthusiasm some of the is to make something complicated appear stories were even performed as playlets at "Stand on any piece of ground in Atherstone easy. The History of Atherstone Research local events. Finally published in 2005, and you stand where centuries of feet have Team (HART), author Margaret Hughes in Once Upon a Time in Atherstone was very walked." The name of almost any small particular, has accomplished that feat with well-received locally, winning a county town or village in the UK could be this collection of stories. award and deservedly recognised as a substituted for 'Atherstone' in that model for writing up local history. It is sentence. What makes this Warwickshire As the reader is led from fictional Lucius just the first volume from HART. A town special is that a fascinating little book in AD75, reviewing his life as a Roman second volume, of more academic expert has been written that lets the reader clearly surveyor, to a genuinely historical, papers, is due to be published in July hear the footsteps, and glimpse into the inquisitive nine year old 'Little Jo' Asher, 2008. lives, of people who walked the roads of in 1850, Atherstone itself changes. House Atherstone over a span of 1800 years. and shop construction, land use, social If imitation is indeed the highest form of relationships, commerce and trades, flattery, all of us should be thinking Though it just 145 pages long, perhaps it is education, and even speech evolve as one about encouraging our own local history unfair to refer to the book as 'little', as the reads. Timelines of local and national groups to write their own stories, though simply written, burst into dates set the context for each story, and .... . life with detail. Each story immerses the maps show how the town’s street plan reader in the sounds and smells of a hard- developed over the centuries. In addition, There are still copies available. Send a £3 working community while the various each chapter is followed by several pages of cheque made out to Atherstone Civic Society, characters, some invented, many real, step notes referring to local historical sources. to Grendon Lodge, Long Street, Atherstone, out of history with confidence. In the Atherstone's Manor Court Rolls, an Warwickshire, CV9 1BA foreword it is mentioned that this first uniquely rich historical record, even allow 2 understanding market towns Once Upon a Time ...... 2 In this Issue...... 3 Trevor Hart and Neil Powe analyse the main UNDERSTANDING MARKET TOWNS...... 3 Local News from Members’ Magazines...... 5 functional roles of market towns in England The Inspector Says...... 10 From The Historic Environment...... 12 showing that they provide a framework both for THE VILLAGE Ray Green ...... 15 evaluating the challenges they face and for The Cultural Olympiad...... 17 ASHTAV visits Ryton...... 18 matching policy and practice to individual ASHTAV’S next EVENT...... 24 circumstances

After receiving attention in the Rural White Papers of 1995 and 2000, there has been a growing interest in the fortunes of market towns, reflected in policy as well as contract and academic research. One reason for this interest is to be found in the changing roles and fortunes of market towns and the threats posed to their economic and social fabric. Another significant but related reason concerns the role of market towns as rural centres for services, employment and housing, and their role as sustainable locations for development. Market towns have Chairman: John Alexander thus been seen as a means of sustaining the quality of life Hon.Treasurer: John Alexander John Bishton for rural communities and as the logical centres in which Ray Green to focus regeneration initiatives for rural areas. Ed Grimsdale Ginny James Anne Lock David Peevers In the past, market towns were readily defined as places Gill Smith Hon. Secretary: Dan Wild having cattle and produce markets, but now only a Daphne Wyatt minority of towns have such facilities. Current definitions are based on size, but the commonly applied size band of ASHTAV VICE PRESIDENTS population between 2,000 and 30,000 gives us a list of Professor Malcolm Airs 1,274 diverse rural settlements in England. So, national or Michael Coupe regional policy initiatives for market towns do not have as ASHTAV DIRECTOR: Ela Palmer a basis a clear differentiation among types of settlements Articles and comments or problems faced. The absence of a framework for are welcomed: analysis makes it difficult to begin to address the classic Ed Grimsdale evaluation questions of what works where, why and how; News Editor or to define examples of good practice in a way that is 01280 815758 transferable among similar places and circumstances. [email protected] Deadline for June’s magazine Continued on page 4 is the 31st May 2008 between places

3 Above: Wymondham, Norfolk

Some recent work by the authors1 has attempted to differences between towns. This provides a useful input understand the variety of places encompassed by the to subsequent analysis of challenges and opportunities, term ‘market town’. A framework for analysis has been for evaluating the impact of policy measures and high- developed through an examination of key data sets for lighting what might be best practice in similar circum- over 200 towns in the size band of population of 20,000- stances. 30,000; the application of regression and cluste r analysis to these data; some large-scale resident and visitor surveys; and several case studies of towns performing Roles for market towns different roles in different regions. Market towns will clearly be influenced by their While the analysis shares the conclusions of others’ location, regional context and economic and work, that there is no such thing as a stereotypical social characteristics, as well as policy, and all market town, it provides a basis on which an analysis of these have been found to be important determi- market towns can be conducted. All market towns nants of their performance. Reflecting these perform a variety of roles, and if they are to become part contextual factors are the roles market towns of a quest for sustainable rural development, it is play within the settlement hierarchy. necessary that they do so; but the emphasis among the roles will vary from place to place. By focusing on a Understanding Market Towns continues on page 20 range of town characteristics, the analysis has identified the main functional roles they perform and has built from this a basis for understanding similarities and 4 This is no clone town. Many market towns retain traditional shops. faster than in urban areas. This, in turn, challenges character- and their dispersed hinterland populations it is difficult to istics – such as their compact and quiet nature – which are a put in place a public transport system that meets current foundations of the towns’ success. Towns have to both working and shopping needs, and it is also hard to develop accommodate additional moving traffic and find additional the appeal of public transport in a way that effectively parking spaces. More broadly, increased mobility impacts on competes with the cachet attached to the private car. towns’ self-containment, for both local and hinterland residents, in terms of shopping, accessing services, and undertaking cultural activities and voluntary work. Primary The fact that market towns are seen as among the most research has shown that although the extent to which attractive places to live,3 and so attract significant numbers of residents engage with their town does vary among different migrants, can mask the economic and social problems that types of respondents, it is the differences between towns that some face. Generally, they have an ageing population, mainly accounts for the greater variation. Such differences relate to as a result of migration patterns. Sometimes this includes the importance of the town within the local area, the range elderly people leaving surrounding villages where the level of and location of services, the availability of employment, and services is diminishing. While market towns may offer better proximity to other urban areas. This suggests that a more levels of service than these villages, few can offer the private selective approach to settlement planning is perhaps or public services that meet their growing social and medical required, focusing future development within towns with needs: very few towns have appropriate hospital potential in terms of their location and service and facilities, for example. They may also offer problematic employment offer. In terms of mode of transport, personal physical environments for less able and mobile residents, as mobility is likely to remain a challenge for market towns. A few historic environments are well adapted to the needs of logical approach, and one which is sometimes espoused in this group. Where something approaching a full range of policy, is to improve public transport, as this both limits the services for the elderly is offered, the fact that such work environmental impacts of traffic and may reinforce the role tends to offer lower wages often results in increased of towns as a local service hub through the structuring of commuting into the towns or a growing demand for public transport routes. Unfortunately, for these small towns affordable housing. 21 Understanding Market Towns is continued on page 22. Understanding Msrket Towns continued from page 21 considerable local concern about the same time hoped to achieve some It is widely recognised that rural areas impact of the scale of growth that the degree of improvement: their vision for suffer poverty and deprivation.4 Market towns are being asked the future could be summarised as ‘be towns are more likely to experience to accept. High levels of housing where we are now, but doing a little what might be thought of as aspects of growth, in the short term, have led to an better’. Although an apparently realistic urban deprivation, including the decline imbalance between population growth objective, such an approach runs the of their traditional economic base and and the supply of services and infra- risk of being a tactic divorced from a the existence of pockets of poverty and structure that a growing population strategy. However, some towns did have social exclusion in particular housing limits the scope for the towns to act as a clear vision for the future, based on a neighbourhoods. However, few self-contained sustainable communities. move towards developing as ‘sustainable examples were found where market Concerns were also raised that communities’. towns were able to access significant re- population growth leads to the loss of Key strategic objectives were seeking to generation funding to address such the small town feel and community become: issues. spirit, eroding a key strength and : competitive advantage of market towns. There is a need for towns to maintain a P In less pressured areas such as the North competitive position, attracting Although in-migration can increase the of England, a key emphasis of planning customers and investment, and overall affluence of the towns, trade for policy is often developing indigenous businesses, based local businesses, and levels of enterprise, to address urban problems, including on a clear understanding of the nature the additional demand for housing also areas of low housing demand in run- of the competition. To move in this significantly affects local property prices. down areas of old industrial cities, by direction, it was generally agreed that House prices are increasing at a faster directing most housing development to the towns need to possess an attractive rate than in urban areas but rural these areas as part of housing-led regen- public realm, promote a positive image earnings are lagging behind, contribut- eration. However, low demand in the and identity, and have good accessibility ing to problems of housing affordability cities does not mean that there is low and adequate facilities for expansion. It . demand for housing throughout a is also important that the local labour Maintaining mixed communities and region. Areas of high and low demand force has sufficient skills to support the supply of workers needed to staff can co-exist over quite small spaces. In business, and that there is a socially local services and businesses is such areas, market towns are still seen as mixed community enabling a range of important for the viability of towns. The attractive places in which to live, but the employment opportunities to be filled. growth of low-paid employment in low allocation of housing outside the Adequate locally based business support market towns can lead to reverse-com- urban areas adds to the housing should be provided and business-aware muting – urban to rural – as larger pressures experienced by market towns policies developed by key public sector urban areas are sometimes the only and adds to the problems of affordabil- agencies source of affordable housing for such ity discussed earlier. workers. This does little to contribute to : self-containment or the local economy So, managing growth in housing Within current policy, a primary goal of the towns. For more remote towns, demand in slower growing regions may for market towns is providing co- labour shortages can develop, prove as problematic for market towns location of employment, housing and threatening the viability of local as managing growth in a region of high services, to minimise car use and social businesses and services. These problems growth, particularly without a more so- exclusion within rural areas and to help were observed to occur particularly in phisticated understanding of housing support local services. Achieving a more tourist towns, where work tends to be markets being developed to inform self-contained lifestyle for settlements, low waged or seasonal and there is a planning policy. In both cases, the in terms of working, shopping, enjoying sizeable external demand for housing. challenge of achieving sustainable entertainment and participating in However, the problems are pervasive development and sustainable living is community activities is, as has been and extend into other equally difficult, but maybe for a demonstrated by other studies,5 about sectors beyond tourism. different mix of reasons. more than the traditional concerns of planning and transport policy. Towns Responses need to work to change perceptions, Several potential strategies for meeting attitudes and behaviour. Planning policy has focused much rural these challenges are available for market housing growth in larger settlements from holding their own, through : such as market towns, and this emphasis achieving incremental improvement, to This is an articulation of cultural and of policy seems set to continue. In radical repositioning. Key actors social objectives for market towns, pressured areas such as in the East and interviewed in the case study towns were supporting the development of a South East of England, market towns found to be determined to maintain the common sense of affinity and belonging have to play a part in accommodating vital functions of providing services, for the towns and working towards regional housing demand, but there is employment and housing, but at the being self-supporting in terms of strong 22 Understanding Market Towns is continued opposite. Understanding Market Towns continued from page 22 SPECIES AND HABITATS by John Bishton

P.P.S. 9 will be the vehicle for updating the Joint Nature Conser- vation Committee’s list of protected Species and Habitats. It will create a further need for planners to input to the Spatial Strategy and Local Development Frameworks, as part of the Biodiversity Action Plan. There are 1149 species and 65 types of habitat to identify. Local Authorities should immediately start to identify their locations. Not all community engagement while at the Affordable new build in the Highlands species on the new list will need to same time developing understanding of be considered by planners, but it is difference among residents. Again, while Notes 1 N. Powe, T. Hart and T. Shaw (Eds): strongly suspected that all the an understanding of different needs can Market Towns: Roles, habitats nominated will go through. in part be addressed by public policy, Challenges and Prospects. Routledge, 2007 Protection of sites will not be a legal changes in attitudes are also required. 2 Clone Town Britain. New Economics obligation but it will be a material Foundation, 2005. consideration. Protection of sites Planning, managing and developing w: www.neweconomics.org/gen/news_ market towns are seen to be complex clonetownbritainresults.aspx has recently been strengthened at tasks, requiring a clear analytical European level and it is now an 3 See, for example, M. Breheny, P. Hall and offence to damage breeding sites or approach: in the words of an earlier D. Hart: study of rural settlements6 Northern Lights – A Development Agenda resting places of dormice, great for the North in the 1990s. Derrick Wade & crested newts and bats, among . Thinking in a Waters, 1998 others. Orchards, ponds, some structured manner about the roles that 4 See, for example, B.P. McLaughlin: Rural brownfield sites and many other they perform – or aspire to perform – England in the 1980s: Rural Deprivation habitats will need to be identified. Study: Summary of Findings. provides an essential component in This looks as if there is work to be planning strategy development for Department of the Environment/Rural Development done by many voluntary groups and market towns. Commission, 1980; and P. Cloke, P. Milbourne and C. Thomas: Lifestyles in age groups. ASHTAV members Trevor Hart is Visiting Research Rural England. Rural Development could find a new importance in this Fellow and Commission, 1994 field, as they already have in Conser- Neil Powe is Lecturer in Planning 5 See, for example, J. Shorten: ‘New light vation Area Statements. in the School of Architecture, on country life’. Town & Country Planning, Planning & Landscape at 2004, Vol. 73, Jun., 186-91 Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne. 6 Review of Rural Settlement Policies 1945- 1980. Martin & Voorhees Associates, for the Department of the Environment, 1980, p.223

was first printed in the December 2007 edition of the Journal of the Town and Country Planning Association and ASHTAV is very grateful to the authors for permission to use the text and for providing fresh illustrations.

23 ASHTAV’S NEXT EVENT : Saturday 10th May 2008 Church Room, Radley, Oxfordshire Our second event of the year is:

How the community can come together to save their village shop We are pleased to announce three guest speakers with wide and varied experience in this field: Graham Steinsberg, Chairman, Radley Village Shop Management Committee Jane Barker, Village Shops Development Worker, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council Rebecca Payne, Policy Officer, Church of England Cathedral and Church Buildings Division

THE PROGRAMME: To reserve your place, please contact Ginny James on (01531) 821904 11.00 Arrival and coffee 11.30 Graham Steinsberg: or [email protected] “How we saved our shop!” 12.15 Walk to Radley Village Shop Price: 1.00pm Lunch at the Church Room £7.50 ASHTAV members, £10 non-members. 2.00pm Jane Barker: “The role of Oxfordshire RCC at Radley” Inclusive of coffee, lunch and tea. 2.30pm Rebecca Payne: Please send cheques made out to ASHTAV to “The changing use of Ecclesiastical 29 The Crofts buildings” 3.00pm Questions and Answers followed by Newent Tea and cakes. Glos GL18 1SQ 3.30pm Departure 24 Continued from page 12 and Local Government Hazel already been done by previous primarily concerned with heritage Blears claimed that changes had diversions of funds to the Olympics have started to get involved in the been incorporated to improve par- and there is no guarantee when VAT row, lending increased ticipation in planning, accountabil- these monies will be returned to credibility to the arguments and ity and the aspirations to good causes post-2012. boosting the chances of significant sustainability, the CPRE voiced its debate on VAT on existing VAT has long been an issue for fears that greater planning powers buildings at government level. those interested in historic will be delegated to the unaccounta- buildings; the injustice of a system Continuing to highlight the ble Regional Development that imposes VAT on repair and importance of maintenance, not- Agencies through a series of restoration but not on new build withstanding the VAT problem, amendments to the Planning Bill. has prompted campaigns by Historic Scotland has launched a As they said, to amend a Bill Heritage Link, SAVE Britain’s new grant scheme focused entirely without consultation “makes a Heritage and the Institute of on maintaining historic buildings. mockery of claims that participating Historic Building Conservation. The Maintenance Plan Grants in consultation exercises can Now new support has arrived for Scheme is of particular interest as it influence the development of the cause. Heritage Link Reports can be accessed by individuals who policy”. This central government that the Commission for Architec- own historic buildings providing behaviour seems to be a reflection ture and the Built Environment their building is open to the public of that of local government which (CABE) has listed amongst their for at least 25 days per year. so frustrates our members; the 2007-2009 objectives one to 'seek Obviously, not everyone wants to proposed measures to further to make sustainable refurbishment open their home up, but in the decrease the level of consultation of the built environment social current funding climate where it is required in planning and policy desirable and economically viable often extremely difficult for private making are consequently through lobbying for the removal individuals to get any financial help horrifying. of VAT on work on existing towards the upkeep of listed The diversion of Lottery Funds buildings, influencing those buildings the Historic Scotland away from heritage and into the responsible for regeneration and scheme is significant, giving a 2012 Olympics fund has been renewal projects and providing source of funding outside area- greeted with howls of rage across guidance on best practice’. In based funding such as the the sector. Heritage Link, alongside addition, a coalition of groups marvellous Townscape Heritage arts and sports organisations, has including the Federation of Master Initiatives. been fighting to ensure that the Builders, the Royal Institute of Our more rural members may be Government makes good the Chartered Surveyors (which has pleased to hear that the Rural monies already diverted, while long been involved in the heritage Development Programme for promising not to take any more. In world through its Historic England 2007-2013 has been January, the then Secretary of State Buildings Forum) and the National agreed, and that through it Natural for Culture, Media and Sport, Home Improvement Council is England will provide £2.9 billion James Parnell, confirmed that there calling in a reduction in VAT on for the Environmental Stewardship would be no further raids on repair and maintenance, not only Scheme. The Scheme should have a Lottery coffers, and this assertion to make it viable to restore significant effect on the historic was later backed up by Lord Davies important historic buildings, but to environment, particularly in of Oldham in the House of Lords encourage property owners to conserving and enhancing spaces debate. This news will come as a maintain properly existing between towns and villages, their relief to heritage organisations structures and discourage urban context, and their traditional reliant on lottery funding to run sprawl. ASHTAV is particularly industries – more on this in a later local projects, but damage has pleased that organisations not

13 Continued on page 14 Continued from page 13 ASHTAV newsletter. The organised monitoring and Are Civic Societies “interested parties” countryside will also benefit recording of the impacts of within the meaning of the 2003 from a £10 million over three climate change as well as Licensing Act? years boost in funding for the engaging in local decision Rural Community Councils making. If you or your organ- throughout England, in a bid isation are involved in such to ensure that the needs of projects or programmes rural communities are please send details (case understood and addressed at studies and images) to either the local, regional and Gill Chitty of the CBA at St national levels. Jonathan Mary's House, 66 Bootham, Shaw MP, Defra Minister for York YO30 7BZ, or Kate Marine, Landscape and Rural Pugh at Heritage Link, 89 Affairs, said, “This funding will Albert Embankment, Some Civic Societies are having trouble be- give the network more flexibility London SE1 7TP. cause their Local Licensing Authority is taking to respond to local needs, to plan a narrow view of the meaning of the Act There are sure to be plenty of for the long term and achieve A relevant representation only be made by an candidates amongst the even more for their money. The interested party or a responsible authority ASHTAV membership for Government is committed to The Act defines An interested party as: the second call, which is for ensuring that rural needs are Community Champions and a person living within the vicinity of the represented across government premises; or Heritage Heroes. The policy and the public sector”. Nationwide Community and a body representing persons living in the vicin- Action with Communities in Heritage Awards 2008 will ity of the premises; or Rural England (ACRE), the recognise people or groups a person involved in a business in that vicinity; umbrella body for the Rural who make a difference or Community Councils, hoped through community or a body representing persons involved in such “that the government’s new focus voluntary work. Nominations businesses. on community action will allow can be made for either a A responsible authority covers police, fire au- rural communities to Community Champion - thority, local authority planners, the local au- demonstrate exactly what can be recognition for those who thority itself and any entity in the area achieved through the kind of responsible for the welfare of children. have made an impact in their support traditionally provided by local community or a Furthermore, an objection which the act the Rural Community Action deems as a representation may only be admissi- Heritage Hero - recognition Network”. ble if it relates to the licensing objectives: for those who have to prevent crime and disorder Two calls for information volunteered to become public safety that may be of interest to involved in saving a part of to prevent public nuisance ASHTAV members have their heritage and sharing it to protect children from harm. been included in Update. with others. Nomination The first is a request for forms can be found at information from Heritage Nationwide Building Society Link and the Council for branches, HLF outlets, public British Archaeology (CBA) libraries and via local who would like to hear how newspapers. If your Society’s voice is not being accepted by volunteers and the voluntary your local licensing authority, sector are actively - or could please tell ASHTAV. actively be - involved in

14 The Village A recent history and a present perspective by Ray Green

There are some 1600 villages in towns, the object being to counter Writing in 1976, Professor Gordon England and Wales. For the past 60 rural depopulation. With the post- Cherry4 referred to “conflicts years most have been in a state of War creation of the Welfare State between urban and rural” … and of transition as they have gradually the new and improved health and “newcomers with sets of values lost their ties with the land and education services were established which may be at sharp variance have become what Ray Pahl in rural areas and piped water and with those of his new neighbour”. described as “urbs in rure”. Where electricity supplies were extended to Such concerns persisted and again, this change is mostly complete, in almost every home in farms, in 1988, Howard Newby could still the lowlands, villages are now part hamlets and villages. Thus, by the refer to conflict between of an urban housing market, time the new motorways and rising newcomers and locals as a clash emanating out of country towns car ownership enabled people from between rural and urban cultures5. and cities (such as Norwich, cities to move into the countryside, However, an earlier study in 19706 Carlisle, Hereford and Exeter). In conditions had improved to a had given greater prominence to this they function as outlying standard acceptable to the mainly differences in social class between suburbs with house prices so high middle class newcomers. newcomers and locals than their that they have become a haven for urban or rural roots. This study the mature middle class to the The dispersal of population started looked in great detail at two exclusion of most young people of slowly with households moving to Worcestershire villages, one whose local origin. The most apparent nearby villages from which it was newcomers already made up two reasons for this change are the easy to commute back to the city to thirds of the total households and decline in the agricultural labour work. At the same time families few were still employed in force, the rising car ownership and were being moved from London agriculture, the other where only the accessibility created by and other major cities to small one third of households were motorways and other road towns, a movement planned under newcomers and agriculture was still improvements. Within many the Town Development Act of a major employer. villages farmers have moved out as 1952. Then, in the 1960’s, began cattle and sheep competed for road an unplanned shift of people into By sample survey the study team space with residents’ cars and small towns and villages, a recorded the social and age newcomers complained of smell, migration that gathered pace. structure of the populations; noise, dirt and delay; and village Between 1961 and 2001 some four household size; occupations; populations became insufficient to million people left the metropolitan marriage and kinship links within support the range of services regions to live in the rural regions and beyond the village; and the originally associated with village of England and Wales, and this ownership of cars and household life. There is concern that the movement is continuing at a rate of labour-saving devices. Also village is no longer a “rural” about 1 00,000 a year, of whom recorded were opinions about community and that planning some 20,000 seek homes in coastal community relations, neighbourli- policy encourages continued gentri- retirement areas while 80,000 ness and attendance at local events. fication by restricting new spread out into country towns and The main finding was that both development. villages3. villages were in a state of transition as “we were witnessing the To appreciate fully how the village At first the growth of country towns increasing mechanisation and ra- has changed in this way we need to was generally but there was concern tionalisation of British agriculture, turn to clock back to 1942 and the that an influx of newcomers would employing fewer people and more publication of a report2 which harm the traditional way of village machines, producing fewer varieties proposed raising the standard of life, albeit that the newcomers of crops and stock and specialising rural services and facilities to a level maintained cottages that might in the rapid production of ash compatible with those provided in otherwise have deteriorated. crops and readily marketable 15 Cont’d on page 16 animal products. With this ration- replacement of old by new villagers obtain basic services. There is alisation had come the rapid did more to deal with rural poverty much less deprivation than in disappearance not only of the than any direct Government action. urban areas. Populations tend general agricultural labourer but the Most of the investment in rural to be older with higher village craftsman … local authority areas went to towns rather than proportions of married couples policies removed schools, village villages, although farm diversifica- and fewer co-habiting. There is policemen and midwives; tion provided some work for local less crime, less fear of crime, commercial necessity drove people. In 1980, a booklet and greater satisfaction with everyone else away.” Except in areas published by RIBA, Dartington community and environment. too remote to be attractive to Trust and the Land Decade It would seem from the data that commuters or to the retired people, Educational Council8 saw a the transition to middle class urbs in people in villages had to seek most different way to ensure the future of rure is almost complete. As the of their requirements in nearby the Village through self-help and Commission for Rural towns and those without public community run shops and Communities puts it “the quest for transport found themselves at a transport and this approach was a place in the country and the considerable disadvantage, echoed as recently as 2007 by the consequent influx of wealth” into especially those on low incomes. As Vice Chairman of ASHTAV9 in an the countryside remains a defining the newcomers moved in so article addressing the continuing feature, perhaps the dominant one, political concern focused on rural decline of the village. Yet, the in the rural scene in much (but not poverty and academics and village survives, albeit that the all) of England. professionals questioned “what transition noted by the West future for the village?” Midlands report over 30 years ago is The response of the planning nearly complete and is even now authorities to the changing village In 1978 the Child Poverty Action well advanced in the more remote was first to define key villages large group published a series of papers areas. In 2005, the Commission for enough with surrounding smaller by academics under the title Rural Communities in its “State of villages and hamlets to support “”Rural Poverty”7 from which they the Countryside”report10 published basic local services but it became concluded that “the most deprived data from villages which in both apparent that the population people do not live in deprived “sparsely populated” and “less needed for this strategic purpose areas”; that the rural poor are faced sparsely populated” areas showed a had risen to a level only by the unequal distribution of high level of wealth comparable accommodated in country towns resources and the inability to gain with the wealthier parts of cities. and in a paper for the Town and access to what is provided; that There may be poverty, but it is less Country Planning Association of there should be positive discrimina- evident than it has ever been. The 198911, it was recommended that tion in favour of rural areas in Commission recorded data for “the concept of the key village decline; that rural politics is villages in 5494 English parishes should be abandoned; major dominated by landowners; that with a total population of 3.5 development in the countryside “growth is an opportunity to be million residents; the great majority and housing where a full range of handled by good planning rather of these ( 3.3 million) were in the local services is essential should be than a threat to be avoided; and “less sparse” rural areas and these located generally in existing or new that there should be a statutory are compared with urban areas of country towns”. This change of duty upon ministers, government 10,000 or more: policy has been generally applied, departments and public authorities Villagers-on average- are limiting new building in villages to have regard for the social and wealthier than townsfolk, spend mostly to infill and constricting the economic interests of rural more on all items except supply of houses and raising prices, communities”. The latter has now clothing, have higher level thus biasing occupation to the been endorsed in Government occupations in a fairly similar wealthy middle class. This gentrifi- policy. The Commission for Rural range of industries, proportion- cation causes concern amongst Communities makes a clear ately own more of their homes, those who think the village should distinction between the sparse ( or are less dependent on social exhibit a greater balance in social remote) rural settlements and those housing (although there is still a and income groups, but is the in less sparse ( and mostly more case for some more affordable village now any different from a accessible) areas. However, the homes). Villagers own more wealthy suburb or any section of passage of time and the continued cars but have to travel farther to the housing market of which it is a 16 Cont’d on page 17 part? Yet …. the feeling persists that in Rural Areas. Command 6378. 10. Commission for Rural the village is different, possibly London HMSO, 1942. Communities “State of the 3. Ray Green Rural Retreats.TCPA Countryside”, 2005 because of its history and that we June 2004 11. Ray Green, John Holliday and have lost something irreplaceable in 4. Gordon E Cherry Rural Planning Charlie Arden-Clarke “The the countryside, a price that we Problems (Conclusions and Future Planning of the have paid for the modernisation of Reflections); Publisher: L Hill Countryside”, TCPA, 1989 farming and the freedom of (Dec 1976) 5. Howard Newby The Countryside movement we enjoy with the car, in Question; London Hutchinson for so long as petrol exists, and we and HTV(West) 1988 can afford to pay for it. At least 6. Elizabeth Radford - The new until that happens our villages will villagers; urban pressure on rural be well maintained and their areas in Worcestershire; Publisher: [London] F. Cass for buildings conserved. West Midlands Social and Political Research Unit, University of Birmingham, 1970 NOTES: 7. Alan Walker (ed.) “Rural Povert”: London Child Poverty Action 1. Pahl R E, 1965, "Urbs in rure: Group, 1978 the metropolitan fringe in Hert- 8. Charles McKean(ed.) “What fordshire", Geographical Papers 2, future for Villages?”, Department of Geography, RIBA(Eastern) Dartington Trust, London School of Economics and Land Decade Educational Politics Council,1980. 2. Scott Report : Ministry of Works 9. Edward Grimsdale “Is the Decline and Planning. Report of the of the Village Inexorable?”, Committee on Land Utilisation ASHTAV News

From the Director part of the Cultural Olympiad. There to apply for the 2012 ‘Inspired’ mark, will be several flagship or ‘signature’ and to be publicised alongside other The Cultural Olympiad: projects from across the culture, Olympic events. The Existing projects worth the bother? heritage, sport and the arts, and can be ‘tweaked’ to fit or new projects Heritage Link aims to bring together created, but the emphasis is on the Everyone with a connection to the groups within the built environment involvement of young people in historic environment will be aware of sector to conceive and support such a everything from decision making to the diversion of lottery funding to the project. ‘Access All Areas’ is the the organisation of events. The Olympics, and the fears that heritage working title of the built environment impression given was that the Cultural and culture projects will lose out over effort, and the seminar certainly did Olympiad team would be rigorous in the four years until the games take ‘access all areas’, being attended by its own decision making, only place. The one government concession over 100 representatives from organisa- awarding the ‘Inspired’ mark to to cultural projects has been the tions such as the Royal Institute of strongly youth-led projects. Cultural Olympiad, a programme British Architects, the National Youth which aims to spread the opportunities Federation, Visit Britain, Historic To help guide and help organisations brought to Britain by the Olympics Scotland, and British Waterways, as which intend to apply for the mark, across the UK. Your director was well as special interest groups there are regional Creative recently invited to attend a seminar on including the Historic Chapels Trust Programmers on hand. It is expected the subject of the Cultural Olympiad and Jewish Heritage UK. that organisations will first approach and went along to see what it was all the Creative Programmer who will take about. There are three objectives for the them through the process and begin Cultural Olympiad: Welcoming the the selection process, weeding out To give a little context, the event had World; Involving Young People; and projects that do not make the grade. been jointly organised by Heritage Legacy. As speakers from the London As a start, Cultural Olympiad projects Link and English Heritage to spread Organising Committee of the Olympic are expected o be in the realms of the word and start discussion about Games (LOCOG) explained, projects culture, sport, education, environment ‘Access All Areas’, a ‘big idea’ to be that meet these criteria will be invited or volunteering, and be “surprising, 17 Cultural Olympiad continues on page 18 exciting, brand new projects, events or finance these special projects and environment should the Access All activities”. Ideally, heritage projects will events without stepping on the toes of Areas project be successful would be somehow be made a part of Access All those who already receive funding, and immense and welcome. It will take Areas, strengthening a central heritage without commercial sponsorship? effort and creativity for the sector and bid. Clearly some other source must be organisations all over the UK, and we found; it was suggested that a project shall have to learn some lessons As for what Access All Areas will be, it or event which did involve a high level regarding inclusivity and ‘welcoming was clear after hours of round table of youth participation could attract the world’, but heritage could be very discussion that it was going to be funding from the youth agencies. This much at the centre of the Cultural difficult to fit interests of the masses is a great idea, but ASHTAV members Olympiad. Heritage Link is just the under one heading. There are several know the difficulties in getting young organisation to lead the initiative, and problematic regulations for projects to people involved in heritage; perhaps ASHTAV will be in the vanguard. meet, not least that they must not be Access All Areas will galvanise the commercially sponsored. Obviously heritage sector to get in touch with the We shall be looking at ways in which this cuts out many local events youth audience. If only this is achieved, we can contribute to the Cultural sponsored by for instance the press or then the Cultural Olympiad will have a Olympiad, and would welcome ideas estate agents, as well as a large chunk of significant legacy. from the membership on how we can Heritage Open Days. It was suggested best become a part of the big idea, or that the umbrella bodies, including At the end of the seminar, it was take a project forward to gain the ASHTAV, could solve this, by being pointed out that having had their ‘Inspired’ mark. Clearly there are the focus for a mixture of commercially funding ruthlessly plundered for the obstacles to overcome, but if we sponsored and purely publically Olympics, heritage organisations were approach the Cultural Olympiad in a funded events, therefore circumnavigat- wary of being involved in anything to spirit of inspiration– an Olympian ing this thorny issue. do with the games. However, it seems spirit, indeed – then we can all reap the to me that to pass by the opportunity rewards. Funding in general was a topic that to take part would be like cutting off concerned many at the seminar, as our own noses to spite our faces; the LOCOG were very clear that they are publicity for the historic built not a funding body. How, then, to

ASHTAV VISITS RYTON a report from Anne Lock and Ela Palmer

The first ASHTAV event of the 2008 took villages’, and she began by giving some particular regard to Otford, a desirable place on a dark January day at Garden basic views on what a town or village con- commuter village in Kent, and Bishop’s Organic, Ryton, and was attended by a stitutes, how they came about, and what Stortford, a market town in Essex. Otford number of members and committee threats and opportunities face them. The faces the threat of over-development, being members. The two speakers on offer were Handleys (West, Middle and Nether!) in a prime spot for those who work in Ela Palmer, ASHTAV Director, and Derbyshire, where Ela grew up, were used London but want to live in the country- Samantha Green of Garden Organic. as examples of the changing times of the side. An application for 500 homes had The title of Ela’s talk was ‘Adapting to village. The question was posed: “what is recently been turned down – these homes important about a town or village?”, and answers came thick and fast. They ranged from the tangible, for instance the village green, its pond and pub, to the intangible, traditional peculiarities or historic social structures. What became clear was that different parts of village and town life take priority for different people, and that community and vitality are just as important as the built environment of a Anne Lock introduces Ela Palmer place. could easily raise its population of around 4000 by a quarter. On the other hand, the Following this, the present situation of heritage of the village is well preserved, to Survive: The future of historic towns and towns and villages was described with 18 Ryton report continues overleaf the satisfaction of both tourists and village garden at Audley End in Saffron Walden, The Seed Swop originated in Brighton dwellers. Bishop’s Stortford is also a target Essex which contains a 170 ft long when 1,000 people swapped seeds and for development, being popular with vinehouse and Thomas Rivers orchard advice on composting whilst children commuters and as a dormitory town for house. Work on this project started, in played around the allotments, and there Stansted Airport. However, this partnership with English Heritage, on 1st are now official seed swaps with organised development is happening at the expense January 1999 and was opened to the nature trails and tree surgeries. By 2007 of the town’s heritage, with each new public three months later. Wherever there were 50 such swaps around the section of housing having its own shopping possible they used seed from their Heritage country. Recently Sam had been facilities, meaning that new arrivals in the Seed Library. approached by a Bangledeshi group who town have no reason to use the historic Recently they have been working with were finding vegetables too expensive, and centre or become involved in its life and Local Authorities on sustainable waste they were advised on cultivation in this future. management and additionally carrying out country. The Bradford City Forum was Having given the delegates a flavour of the research funded by Defra on soil fertility. formed. town and the village, Ela then split them Their Education Department works with Garden Organic try to give a future to into two groups and gave each a fact sheet school children producing two courses - 1,500 varieties of vegetables Sam advised and problems to solve. After ten minutes The Vegetable Kingdom and A History of that the important thing when saving seed of vociferous discussion, each group had Gardening. There is also an international is its quality, and to note its history, char- identified the primary threats to the town programme for people from a wide variety acteristics, colouring and strength. Careful and village, had ideas about how to solve of different countries who need help to selection and observation by staff these problems, and given some thought to access information. contribute to the maintenance of a good the future of each place, how to retain the The whole enterprise grew from an interest stock of seeds, not all grown under heritage whilst enhancing vitality. For in the myriad qualities of comfrey – favourable conditions No danger of GM Otford the design of new development knitbone, compost activator - a study at the moment as seeds trialled at Ryton (guided by a Design Statement) and the which so intrigued the Quaker smallholder are sown in polytunnels to discourage need to integrate any new community into and philanthropist, Henry Doubleday cross-pollenisation and for staff to evaluate village life was seen as having greatest (1813-1902) that he devoted the rest of his each variety themselves. Seedsmen also importance, whilst Bishop’s Stortford life to popularising it. His motto "Search send varieties suitable for gardeners, for should utilise its heritage to draw in both always for the truth that harms no man" example EW Kings Seeds, for inclusion in tourists and the new populous, revitalising and his research was studied by Lawrence the library. the town centre and giving heritage a role Hills, a writer with the Observer, who At this point Judy Vero queried whether in regeneration. eventually founded Garden Organic in Sam had ever come across the Atherstone As Ela pointed out, the discussion had 1954, naming it after Henry Doubleday. At Strawberry? She had not, but these plants given the groups the basis of a policy first he operated an organic garden and had grown in the Vero's garden for almost document which could be developed to manned an advice desk on an acre of land 50 years. It was suggested that Judy could help protect the heritage and contribute to which he rented for £300 at Bocking, near sell any surplus "babies" at our meeting in the enhancement of town and village life. Braintree in Essex. Eventually Garden May. She hoped that the exercise had helped to Organic outgrew its Essex home and just We were then led to the Seed Store, empower members to use these tools in 20 years ago, a 20 acre area of level land passing through four rooms which made other cases, and to continue to support the was discovered in a rundown state at one realise the meticulous attention to future of historic towns and villages. Ryton on Dunsmore. detail that must be followed by all those Samantha Green - what an apt surname - Lawrence Hills noticed items dropping off working there. Received seeds are graded of Garden Organic (the new name of the national seed lists in the mid-Seventies and checked; some labelled ready for trial plantings on site, others stored at the correct temperature before being divided again into six seeds per tiny brown bag, ready for distribution to members of the Heritage Seed Library in the early months of the year, ready for planting in the Spring. Join the Heritage Seed Library yourself HDRA - Henry Doubleday Research Asso- - indeed 90% of vegetable varieties have and you will receive six packs of heritage ciation) participated enthusiastically, con- been lost since the 1900's, varieties which seeds per year, selected from the listing tributing ideas in answer to Ela's would be invaluable now. As a result the circulated by HDRA. Read the enclosed questioning. Heritage Seed Library came into being in leaflet for further details of membership 1977, developing in its present form in However, on the matter closest to her of this elite club! Sam was thanked most 1992. Encouraging gardeners from across heart, Samantha felt we first needed to sincerely for her involvement throughout the UK meant that the plants time to have an idea of the present sphere of the day and interesting introduction to adapt to conditions, breeding true to type, influence, so we learned the Membership the work of Garden Organic. Department handled 30,000 applications year after year. They form part of local and renewals, that the 20 acre Ryton site history - at times family heirlooms. included a shop, café, restaurant and three Samantha has worked within the four display gardens, and that the HDRA also small rooms of the seed library for several manages the once semi-derelict kitchen years. 19 Understanding Market Towns continued from page 4 function of market towns and small settlements generally. First, there has been a spatial shift in the location of S : Most towns were found to be comparison shopping, with purchases becoming increasingly providing some form of service function, but a concentrated in larger centres. Second, the role of multiples number of market towns were particularly well is becoming more and more serviced for their size and had the capacity to dominant. Third, in convenience goods shopping, the four perform strongly as rural service centres. or five major supermarkets are taking an increasing share of expenditure and are becoming a determining feature in the : Attracting a mixture of success of centres. Indeed, their influence is becoming more day-trippers and holiday-makers, these towns tend to pervasive as they extend the range of goods and services be relatively remote from other urban areas and they sell. The manner in which market towns deal with these are often located near the coast or national parks. trends and major players is and will continue to be very They rely on the spending of visitors to support influential in shaping their retail futures. The case studies identified two distinct types of retail visitor to market town and extend the services on offer to an above-average centres: those hoping to do their main shopping; and leisure level. shoppers looking for something different from what has : Towns that have one been called a ‘clone town’ 2 range of shops. This gives a dominant employer or sector of employment, market town two markets to attack. For some town and such as defence or manufacturing, were found to hinterland residents, the convenience and personal service on offer in market towns may be dominant attractants. form a distinct group, with typically younger However, for others who do their main shopping in a nearby populations and more contained work patterns. larger urban market town is a place for the occasional : Towns desirable as leisure shopping experience, where they do something residential locations, but offering little in the way of different from the norm, or a place for ‘top-up’ shopping, local employment, are increasingly housing like the suburban corner shop. For outside visitors to the town, leisure shopping is likely to dominate, and they will be commuters. primarily or exclusively seeking that ‘something different’ in : Owing in part to the shops and the environment. inadequate services in smaller rural settlements, attractive market towns (often small, remote and Can both types of customers be served in the same place? affluent) are becoming popular locations for The presence of many high street multiples may change the quality of experience that market towns provide but may be retirement for older people who like to have easy essential if local patronage is to be retained. Balancing these access to some important services. requirements and maintaining a distinct identity is a key challenge. A second dimension relates to the capacity of the town centres to absorb development. The lack of large So, while all successful market towns will offer a range of shops and multiples within market town centres is a key services and facilities, most will have an identifiable motivation for out-shopping by rural residents, leading to a emphasis towards some particular function, and what the leakage of trade from the towns. However, these often above roles represent are the dominant and in some ways historic town centres only infrequently have the sites defining roles that towns have been found to perform. These available to match the requirements of such stores, particu- five functional roles provide a basis from which to explore larly supermarkets. Permitting edge-of-centre or out-of-town the key challenges facing market towns and the way they sites may ‘claw back’ trade lost to larger urban centres, but function. such competition may drain trade and vitality from town centres. Balancing these two possibly competing demands is Challenges a further challenge which a number of market towns are currently facing. The key challenges that towns were found to face fell largely into five groups: maintaining a competitive retail offer; adapting to the impact of The cost of motoring falling as a proportion of disposable increased personal mobility; effectively servicing income has encouraged and facilitated a change in ‘lifestyle’ elderly and disadvantaged groups; maintaining mixed which has meant that market town and hinterland residents communities through the provision of affordable have become more inclined to shop, work and be housing; and managing the impact of housing growth. entertained elsewhere. For towns which act as rural employment centres, it has encouraged increased commuting into the town for work. This, together with a Retailing is a highly competitive sector, and a trends have growth in‘leisure shopping’, has contributed to levels of been identified which are challenging the position and rural road usage (particularly on A-roads)increasing much

20 Understanding Market Towns continues opposite set for this TV serial is recorded in the mid-16th century? It is being LOCAL NEWS FROM just half of a mile away kept under water and will hopefully be MEMBER’S MAGAZINES as I sit at my laptop in subject to laboratory examination. The A selection of which will be available for perusal Corsham!) The first Planning Committee has decided all appli- at each ASHTAV event article deals with cations must be considered for their Buckingham’s long potential to increase flooding – hard history of playing host surfacing for roads, driveways, car parking, to the royal swan – patios, play areas, etc. all contribute to ATHERSTONE Civic Society’s however all has not recurrent flash floods. The retention/reuse January Newsletter comments upon a been well as a rogue male has ensured no of rainwater was a feature of plans for the sociologist’s view of life at the start of the other cobb’s cygnets survive – Buckingham White Hart car park development. A 21st Century. He described the widest is a one cobb town. The great bird perches conflict of interest was noted in the conser- global migration in history where people above their Town Hall and prompted vation area/listed buildings - between sus- often feel that they live permanently among “their” Duke of Stafford to put the bird on tainability and aesthetics. A good solution strangers, which made him feel that we must his escutcheon – the warrior bird that on the Manor House, where solar panels cultivate a new “art of living”. The editor Aristotle claimed “could vanquish even an were placed behind the castellations around felt this professional had failed to take eagle”! Of four Swan Inns only one the conservatory. All comments on appli- account of the contribution Civic Societies remains, the Swan & Castle. One was cations are sent to both the Town Council make to a town’s “art of living” – and there known as “The Swan with Two Necks” and District Council. An article written by followed an account of two recent events – a which traded between 1790 and 1907. their MP of ten years, John Bercow covered group visit to Lichfield for a Gruesome & Writers from the 18th century onwards have over two pages. This dealt with the Ghostly Evening Tour full of tales of chill maintained the name was a corruption anticipated accommodation within the the blood – following which a visit to the caused by ignorance – swans were marked Aylesbury Vale of 21,200 new homes by George & Dragon was required for warm by “notches” on their bills – so the Inn 2026. How can this amount of food and wine! Come December some 36 more rightly should have been “The Swan development be accommodated in a members, bedecked in very smart party hats, with Two Nicks”. The following article sensible manner – infrastructure needs gathered in the Red Lion for an excellent reminds readers of George Villiers, 2nd Duke alone with require a minimum of £713m. Christmas dinner. A residential of Buckingham who sold his property, York Better roads and improved rail links must development at Phoenix Yard has been House on the banks of the Thames, in 1672 be sought, the sewerage system upgraded, approved and Arragon Properties have been for a much needed £30,000! A condition schools and health services enhanced. He successful in gaining approval for the 4- of sale was that all new roads be named after promised to lobby hard for the best deal for storey flats adjacent to Croft Road which it him in perpetual memory, thus one might his constituents. This was followed by a is felt will set an unfortunate precedent in see George Court, Villiers Street and short article by their Chairman on the the town. The Society is committed to Buckingham Street – Duke Street and Of Government’s decision to introduce a Roof fighting the proposal from David Wilson Alley have now disappeared. Over 30 Tax of £15,000 a dwelling. The publica- Homes to demolish The Orchard, the attended their AGM on 29th November tions of their year’s accounts was followed Italianate villa in South Street, built in 1862 when Ian Nutt of ground-breaking Ethical by an article on “Buckingham” articles to be for the Sale family. This attractive small Food Company gave an excellent presenta- found on Ebay, then a page on a new sport - country house was to be converted into flats tion and kindly provided refreshments Extreme Carol Singing - undertaken by – a date for the inquiry is awaited. Several which were enjoyed by members. Subscrip- their Choral Society. What could be more Society members are working with other tions are to remain as in the previous two seasonal than the singing of carols in a local groups to save the Owen Street Arts years. A tale to cheer concerns their “blue- stable at Waddesdon Manor – except that a Centre from demolition and a new green” pedestrian bridge - which is now a Christmas Market had been installed in the charitable company has been set up which, nice shade of “Buckingham” green and has Stables and the choir relegated to two in partnership with N. Warwickshire BC, is remained graffiti free – or has it? The applying for a grant from the Community secret, the painters were persuaded by Mr. Assets Fund. It was reported, due to Smith to give him a pot, so every time a complaints, that a bench had been removed graffito appeared their Tiger painted out its Please consider sending a from the canal side garden as young people stripes. Early in September it was reported were congregating there – it is to be replaced that the bridge had received no further copy of your monthly, with a stone carving created at a recent attacks for over a month! There were two quarterly or yearly report workshop. An update on Purley Quarry at pages of “Teazers” and an invitation to join nearby Mancetter where the geological inter- the volunteers who serve visitors at the Old or magazine for inclusion pretation point is to be ready in the New Gaol which houses the TIC and a Cell Year was also reported, but long term, there Shop. Ted Farmer reports on Green Spaces under this heading to me, was concern that the County, Borough and noted with concern the widespread Council and Wildlife Trust may fail to take disease amongst horse chestnut trees, due to responsibility. the larva of a moth which needs a good spell Anne Lock of frost to eliminate it or it recurs, progres- at BUCKINGHAM Society’s sively weakening the trees. The Cutterne December magazine had a suitably wintry Elm at the corner of Castle Street is to be 1, Post Office Lane, view of the imposing Old Gaol, now replaced. During excavation for a planting Corsham, Wiltshire, housing the new Flora Thompson pit, a large piece of old tree root was collection. (Of interest to some maybe - the unearthed – a part of the original – first SN13 OHJ

Local News continues on page 6 5 gazebos. The wind howled, the rain fell for purchase in Corsham is another concern LICHFIELD Civic Society’s three heavy and unremitting, and only the weight – the retirement village at Royal Arthur not Newsletters of December to February of water suspended precariously atop kept having come to fruition. A review of commence with a notification of the presen- the gazebos in place. In the middle of speakers at recent meetings, reports on Dr. tation in mid-December of their Civic “Away in a Manger”, during their second John Chandler who gave a most interesting Society Commendations to the spot, the tempest gave a mighty swirl and insight into the derivation of place names; designers/developers of the Stone Yard September introduced members to Gill housing development and to King Edward Bowden, the town’s now retired, very VI School for its new Music Centre. An amusing and extremely informative, independent inspection of the City Centre Registrar. “Hatches, Matches and Paving Scheme is to be carried out, as there Dispatches” took on a whole new meaning are concerns about quality. The Society had as the anecdotes flowed. In October the accepted an invitation from the Curborough Mayo Fountain Restoration took centre Consortium to attend the launch of their stage, Peter Tapscott having led and co-ordi- initial proposals for the Curborough New nated the project using the talents of local Settlement – 5,000 housing units, schools, craftsmen and certain staff at a local etc. etc. An expression of interest has been architects, CMS(Bath)Ltd. who acted as con- submitted to Government for an “eco town”. servation advisors. The Heritage Lottery Waddesdon Manor: a French chateau set If accepted it is feared the development will Fund cheque arrived within days of its being deep in the Bucks countryside is seen be supplementary to, but not part of, the requested to settle the accounts of major above in weather typical of the Loire District requirement under the RSS of creditors! Heritage Open Days were again a valley in summer. 8,000+ housing units up to 2026. What success with 450 attending events, visitors effect could this have on Lichfield? from as far afield as New Zealand, Scotland, Concerns also expressed at the Planning violent uplift. Gallons of water cascaded Czech Republic & Holland. The yearly BBQ Reform Bill, which they fear may make it over the singers as the tents turned into was enjoyed by around 25 members, plus a more difficult to oppose a neighbour’s loft streamers! ..... Ed knows ...... ‘cos he’s a report of a pleasant afternoon cruising the extension but equally controversial is the bass! Kennet & Avon Canal in August. An old proposal to remove responsibility for sign advertising “H.A.Grant, Turf determining major developments from local Accountant” had been found to relate to a The focus of CORSHAM Civic control and vest it in an “Infrastructure garden shed near the centre of town – also Society’s magazine editorial was the lack of a Planning Commission” of government the venue for a ballroom dancing school police presence, or police station, in the nominees. The Commission “could hold according to another old sign that had been town. Lost property is now to be handed in local hearings” but will be expected to deal found. The Station Campaign Update at the local library where information leaflets with applications within nine months! The mentioned the inclusion of our station cancellation of their November meeting, due within Bath’s Transport Innovation Fund to an electrical fault, meant that the bid – cause for hope once again – plus the Tsunami Relief Project of which they were to possible loss of the 106 Agreement monies hear had been deferred – but a suggestion of £250,000 related to the 600 home made to bring a candle to the December Katherine Park development, now nearing meeting, just in case! The Core Strategy completion. A councillor had proposed having been rejected, the DC is to publish these monies should be used to build a an Issues and Options paper, in preparation village hall but this could not pass without for the Local Development Framework – challenge – all to be debated in the New feared to reignite the debate on levels of new Year and reported upon in the next edition! housing. Members’ attention was also Wiltshire Police : FIRST & BEST ! A history of Wilkins’ Corn Store followed brought to two performances of a play about with a photograph of the Trojan pick-up are available, plus a non-emergency Johnson’s manservant, Francis Barber, truck (max. speed 37 mph) purchased telephone number! Perhaps the new tickets on sale at the Johnson Museum – and around 1931 with solid tyres and two stroke Wiltshire Police Headquarters beside the Graeme Clark (Museum & Heritage Officer) engine – you could hear it long before you newly built Semington Bypass deals with 999 has been booked as speaker at the AGM in could see it apparently! The price of burial calls from mobile phones these days, but February – January being the annual meeting also featured, with extracts from Mr. some are left wondering quite what help is with an officer of Lichfield District Council - Osborne’s Working Ledger – costs varying available from the two new Community except Cllr.Roberts the Portfolio Holder for from £14.12s.Od. in 1933 to £27.1s.6d. in Policemen. Car parking charges have Planning & Development came to speak. 1940. There were also reminiscences about created huge concerns – one, potential loss Cllr. Robert’s comprehensive picture of his his life, for when not undertaking he was an of trade to a range of supermarkets a mile or role was valued, but he admitted that the accomplished cellist and amateur actor, more distant, and two, proliferation of cars recent increase in housing figures of 40,000+ playing anything from a judge to a parked on nearby roads – for free! A 30p was causing great concern plus delays with pantomime dame! With two musical charge for one hour can now be recouped the RSS and preparation of the Lichfield daughters their home, Osborne House, from a variety of local shops, dependent LDF. He confirmed there was sympathy for echoed on many evenings to the music of upon the purchase of over £10 of goods, but the Society’s stated position and his talk family and friends. A page was also devoted this has not helped those who work in the drew to a close with a list of future proposals to the Civic Trust’s Campaign “Every Action centre. “A” boards are growing in number in the pipeline for the city. A dozen or Counts” – the issue of climate change and becoming a hazard to shoppers, whilst more questions were posed, including the debated and reported from many angles. the lack of availability of retirement homes need for further traffic orders to pedestrian-

Members’ News continues on page 7 6 ise the city centre streets from 10 – 4 pm – will now go before the Joint Committee. visit from their MP took place on 20th July a popular proposition. The Society’s Maureen Cooper provided a report of the last, the poor man arriving in the teeth of a January newsletter contained both Art Exhibition with which she had been gale with neither raincoat nor umbrella. Chairman and Committee Members’ involved for 20 years – perhaps time for her Mr. Lamb was running behind schedule comments on the Curborough to stand down and allow the younger and apologised that his visit would perforce Consortium’s presentation, which members to step forward with innovative be shorter than imagined – however – he supported a freestanding new town in ideas? Ideas such as she and a colleague thought the Shell Gallery and Heritage principle, but expressed deep concern that had been able to implement – pictures Centre brilliant, a credit to the Society and instead of assisting in meeting the housing hung against a neutral background, rather remained longer! They later received not target, these homes would be additional to than green check gingham and army one, but two, letters of appreciation with it, which they felt unable to support. Also blankets! Exhibiting unframed pictures was requests for copies of any photographs scepticism over the town’s general design also a revolutionary idea, but one that has taken for his web site. The last article which was felt to owe more to land proved very popular. The staging of the addresses the question “Who did built the ownership than good planning, plus Exhibition had also changed – to August – Augusta”? as eagle-eyed visitors had noticed concern at capacity issues on the A38 and when families were around, and sales had that for years Old Newlyn had been the suggestion of a new P&R rail station on risen dramatically. This year 39 artists credited with the work, whilst a new the Burton line. The talk on the St. Giles exhibited 231 pictures, of which 52 were information board placed near the model Hospice was an upbeat presentation of sold and 36 replacements brought in. of the boat states Robert Sunman built her! their work and future plans, from its Sales amounted to £2,453 whilst the raffle The gentleman who researched a play for origins in the early Seventies to its central raised £83.40. Donations of £94.16 were the 150th Anniversary of her launch is no role in palliative care throughout a large received together with £279 of entrance longer around to be consulted, so the truth part of south Staffordshire. Its funding is a fees. With expenses paid the SPS were in of the matter may never come to light. fine balancing act - £2m from Government; receipt of £600. (Next year’s Exhibition £2.5m fundraising activities; shops = runs from 21st August to 2nd Sept). “Local TOWCESTER and District Local annual profit of £500,000 and the Hospice Girl Makes Good” was the heading for an History Society have recently forwarded lottery raises £1m annually. The February article about Nancy Appleton the both their November ’07 and February ‘08 Newsletter dealt with their response to the volunteers’ organiser who was presented Newsletters, which contain details of some DC on the Core Strategy, warning that with a Community Award for her work at excellent meetings, of which more later, as further “bolting on” of development could the Fishermen’s Heritage Centre. Visitors the Society’s main event of 2007 was a re- seriously undermine the existing scale and to Sheringham will now benefit if they buy enactment organised to celebrate their 25th historic character of the City. A response a copy of the revamped, updated, booklet anniversary. The Vikings and Saxons to the Regional Planning Authorities on “Heritage Trail” which now has an displayed their wares on Towcester housing projections for the RSS had also illustrated map contributed by Mick Recreation Ground, mock battles were been sent. An official questionnaire, Bensley, with a choice of a 90 minute or staged and children invited to participate. seeking information on the length of time a 1.20hr walk. There followed a letter of (The children vanquished the Vikings – strip of land had been a public open space complaint to the Editor – to protect it from development pressures - about low flying aircraft led the Committee to support the “Save involved in military Our Green Action Group”. Following the combat practice, which Twinning presentation, an announcement sounded worrying. of success as Limburg, their German Twin, However, intense noise has a civic society who are to visit in the for a few seconds has Spring 2008. grown to become “jet dog fights” which last for SHERINGHAM & District Preser- several hours. Letters of vation Society’s Autumn newsletter opened complaint have circulated with news of the Tesco Planning and two responses from A Ballista - Application which went before the the Air Ministry have Source: Wikipaedia Development Control Committee (W) on been received, both of which explained the need 2nd November. Four objectors and four supporters were each given three minutes for such combat to state their case. The latter’s being built operation training! but were puzzled when the Vikings on the assumption that the store would Sheringham residents and visitors both suddenly lay down feigning death!) The bring extra trade to the town. There was hope to be allowed to live in peace next Romans had carefully researched every dismay that both the Mayor and his Deputy summer - perhaps the RAF may find detail of their clothing and weapons and refused to speak on behalf of their Town another, less crowded area, for their talked about the ballista, powerful enough Council. Though Tesco supporters, it was training sessions. Their District Council to fire darts 500 yards, or at close range thought they should put aside personal had warmly welcomed the proposal to plant pass through one man and kill the one feelings and support the view of their poplars along the north side of Cromer behind. Two bored looking teenagers Council - and disgraceful that they did not! Road, but this was firmly refused by the were pointed in the Centurion’s direction The issues were vigorously debated and all local Common’s Committee. They did and became quite interested in his subject! conceded Sheringham required a better have support from the Sheringham in His threat of a 2,000 year levy of back taxes food store – but it should be no larger than Bloom Committee where all thought it was not carried out! A photograph of 750 metres (as opposed to 1,500 sq.m.) and would be a small contribution towards Bury Mount archaeological dig, managed the application was refused. The matter reducing the town’s carbon footprint. A by Ian Soden, clearly demonstrated the 19c 7 Local News continues on page 8 Kiln, built above Roman and Saxon walls. It TROWBRIDGE Civic Society’s was thought the walls were buried during Spring Newsletter had a colour photograph construction of the motte (c.1080) so the of the recently completed Town Bridge wall appears to have been preserved for 1000 Gateway featuring the Blind House on the years. Two pieces of rare pottery were cover, whilst inside was a copy of the discovered but the site has now been Trowbridge Nature Trail. The Chairman backfilled and the Final Report awaited with reported many positive developments for the interest. An Anniversary Exhibition also town – shop fronts restored in Church took place. Three Society laptops ran, two Street; a house converted into flats which showing continuous slide shows of saw UPVC windows replaced with wooden photographs and the third their web site. sashes, (UPVC having been allowed retro- The local school also displayed examples of spectively by WWDC, despite objections pupils’ work on the buildings of Towcester from the Society). A year of change was in whilst many visitors left with information view with work due to start on the site of the downloaded from the website. Forty copies old Record Office and many vacant sites, of a new leaflet “Battle of Towcester 917 particularly those on the route of the inner AD” were distributed. An Anniversary Some of today’s “Stealth” technology relief road in British Row, York Buildings lecture “Old Towcester High Street” was derives from early work in Towcester and the Brickplat /St. Thomas’ Passage, all attended by 100 and the Society’s 25th with permissions for housing. Two further Anniversary Art Competition – “My central sites await permission, whilst work is Favourite Watling Street Building” had In the final phase of the Battle, the Luftwaffe underway on flats to be built on the Ushers classes for both children and adults. A losses were so high that the invasion of site. An application to convert the telephone conversation with Peter Hine was England was cancelled. Total losses were – remaining properties in Back Street into reported. He had left the town almost 70 Luftwaffe 1,554 - RAF 883! Andrew flats would save an important and unusual years before, and recalled many events in his Rudolf, a Master at Stowe School provided group of 19th century buildings – a former childhood - the boxing exploits of one local an excellent presentation on Stowe House rag warehouse with its crane mechanism still police officer who would erect a ring on the and Gardens whilst in January three in situ, plus a brewery with its adjoining Square and challenge anyone to a fight. It members of “The Knights of the Rose” spoke pub. Reference was made to some was said when he caught villains on his of medieval herbalists, archery, food and mysterious posts on the wide verge of rounds they would be challenged to a fight, armour, bringing with them many replicas of County Way - fenced and maintained for as he removed his tunic with a “now we’re arrows and other objects. An ash bow had a almost 30 years by the CC - as one of the equal if you want to have a go”! Leslie Allan pull of 55-lb, but a war bow - 120-lb. Arrows householders in Clark’s Place has claimed spoke on Transport in Roman Times, inves- with an iron point, bone re-enforced notch ownership of what was formerly part of an tigation by the late Raymond Selkirk had and goose feather flights were capable of un-adopted road. Owners of property on proposed that the Romans used rivers, not penetrating steel body armour – and modern The Parade had claimed a section of the roads, for transportation, as 2/3 slaves could police armour. From the accounts of large highway as a private car park some years pull a boat with 10 tons of cargo. It was felt households, many types of meat were eaten – before, whereas those living in The Halve a stone supported the theory pavement swan, porpoise, beaver, venison, peacock and have to pay to park their cars – a rationalisa- discovered at the Piercebridge Roman Fort, wild boar - red wines from France and Italy tion needed perhaps. Having encouraged related to a river lock. If locks could be were drunk - whilst spices were a fashion the planting of trees as representative on the built to hold back 10 ft of water, then item and very expensive. Saffron, from Trowbridge in Bloom Committee, his nowhere in the UK would be more than 8 Saffron Walden or Higham Ferrers required attention had recently been drawn to those miles from a river port. Mention was also 100,000 hand picked stamens per in entirely the wrong place – in front of made of a Roman quay at Stony Stratford, kilogramme – and still cost £1,500 per kg. Parade House which obscured one of the south of Towcester on Watling Street. In today. The Moat Lane Planning Brief had best Georgian facades in town, plus a October Juris Trede spoke on “The Battle of been adopted by SNC, but throughout magnolia in front of Lovemead House Britain – at the start of WW2, September “burgage” was spelt wrongly! A report on blocking all natural light and hiding an 1939, the RAF had 400 old Blenheim recent planning applications drew attention important facade. The Memories of bombers and 6 squadrons of Hurricane to a refusal of help with archaeology as that Mortimer Street in their previous edition fighters, the latter with fabric cover, wooden site did not meet the criteria, being too elicited another page filled with the propellers and no armour! Air to ground small. A Northampton Mercury clipping of childhood memories of Norman Rogers. communication was poor; wireless primitive; 19th June 1896 described the unpacking – in Baileys was a general store and he recalled, no communication between RAF and Army Towcester – of the first modern motorbike as a boy at Trinity Junior School in Park and no command centres. The Dunkirk following its display at the 1894 Exhibition Street, that the Headmaster, Mr. Dyke-Meek evacuation of 340,000 troops involved the in Paris - Mr. A Greville being a local - wishing to chastise a boy - sent the lad, with loss of 66 Hurricanes – all that remained for solicitor and patent holder. The machine was sixpence, to buy a cane. Carefully burning our defence were 331 Spitfires and demonstrated to Thomas Hesketh and local both ends with his lighter to stop them from Hurricanes. Effective use of the RAF’s dignitaries achieving a 190 mile range at splitting, he eventually applied it to the boy’s limited resources was made possible by speeds of up to 40 mph. Liz Davies had open palm! Memories of a Conigre means of radar and command centres. Ex- undertaken the research of St. Lawrence Childhood appear alongside. Conigre, perimental detection of aircraft by radio Church and members were recommended to where the police went about in pairs, was waves was carried out just north of the town, take a virtual tour via the web site. not a place to be avoided as Mrs. Doris Elms whilst anti-radar coatings for buildings and recalls a very happy, carefree childhood in a ships were developed at Caswell then manu- close knit community where everyone factured at North End Chapel in Towcester. helped one another. She was the eleventh 8 Local News continues opposite child of thirteen – 5 girls, 5 boys and four ladies’ dressmaker who, with her sister patchwork quilts on show until March who died in infancy. With scarcely no Helen ran a “fancy drapers” in 2008 was also admired). In October traffic, games were played in the street – Roundstone Street selling the latest Inspector David Cullop addressed the whips & tops, hoops, hop scotch, Parisian Novelties in Flowers, Feathers and Society on Neighbourhood Policing – this skipping, marbles, kicking tins and catty (a all descriptions of Millinery. The couple ranged from the start of the Constabulary circle drawn on the ground and a carved are mainly remembered for the achieve- in 1839 (following serious rioting) to con- piece of wood – catty). There were team ments of son John who gained an temporary planning in relation to crime games of rounders, hide & seek and “I exhibition to Exeter College Oxford and and anti-social behaviour. There are now Spy” in Butts’ window plus “Jack can I five new Neighbourhood Police Teams, cross the Water”. In summer they would consisting of one PC and two PCSO’s - disappear to the canal banks, boys on one Police Community Support Officers - side, girls the other. They collected jam launched ahead of schedule despite jars as Pikes would give them a halfpenny suffering a central government imposed per jar. Blackberries and blueberries were budget reduction. It is thought, if harvested and taken to the Burnetts at residents volunteer to be members of these Yarra Cottage who gave them a penny. new teams, many social problems will be They played in Gasworks Lane in piles of successfully solved. Ken Rogers gave the hops 2007 Public Lecture in which he covered discarded by six centuries of “Some Trowbridge Ushers. People”, sourced from letters, wills, court When the A mining reconstruction in Radstock Mueum. reports and other archives which kept an Rag and John Wesley visited the Somerset coalfield on audience of fifty enthralled. The flow of Bone man many occasions. Sometimes his reception was hos- facts was illuminated with titbits of came around tile, as in the case of Shepton Mallet where the information as to where people lived, they would angry mob forced him to take refuge. At Coleford worked, and sometimes died, all delivered however, he was met by "honest colliers" who beg an old prayed with him both in the evening and the with Ken’s trademark twinkle. It was rag from morning before he left. It’s no surprise that North claimed that Phillip Gibbs was a devisor of their mother Somerset is littered with non-conformist chapels. shorthand long before Isaac Pitman and - to be rewarded by a goldfish which rarely there were many other engineers beside lived very long! In 1935 everyone moved John Dyer, whose rotary fulling machine into new houses on the Seymour Estate later became headmaster of Bristol can be seen at the Museum. and it was to be 70 years before new flats Grammar School and a Governor of the 2008 commenced with “a lovely social” – and houses were built on the Conigre! A Royal Shakespeare Theatre. A fellow hair- from a photograph of a groaning table it report on Heritage Open Day records that dresser, Chris Hulbert, continued working would seem no one left that event feeling more people visited the events than in to the age of 96 and in June 2000 cut the hungry ! previous years, 26 joining the Baptist author’s hair alongside a history lesson on History Walk led by Andrew Jones. The the subject of the various well established Blind House was the busiest site attracting family businesses of that period – Knees, over 160 visitors – many having lived in Aplins and Houltons. Percy Garrett was Trowbridge all their lives but never been very precise – woe betide anyone who leant inside. Margaret Howard lists and against his shop window “D’you mind?” – describes progress of the nine potential perhaps Trowbridge could do with a few development sites around Trowbridge and people like the Garretts today! Percy died that page ends with a plea from John in 1937, his funeral packed with family, Austin to “pick up litter” as there is good friends and dignitaries of many organisa- evidence that this does deter the perpetra- tion to which he belonged, his hearse tors. Richard Maidment’s article on a awaited at the cemetery by a uniformed “Victorian Success Story” begins with the detachment of the 4th Battalion the discovery of an old shop door which Wiltshire Regiment under Lieut. formed part of a ramshackle shed to the A.C.Snell, Col.Starkey also being present. rear of a house in Wingfield Road,with a The report took two columns of newsprint tree growing through. Steve Lovering and included details of the 79 floral managed to save a fine piece of etched bouquets – the Trowbridge version of a glass, engraved with the name of the state funeral – a fine tribute for the original owners, the Garrett Brothers. This hairdresser’s apprentice from Frome. In article is illustrated with a receipted September, the Society visited Radstock Invoice from Christmas 1906 in the sum Museum which contains an old Co-op of £1 for “hairdressing and shaving” Shop, miner’s cottage, horse-drawn A sketch of St John the Evangelist, describing their business as “Hairdressers, bakers’ wagon, schoolroom, display Lancaster, drawn by Kate Weaver for the Hatters and Hosiers”. Eventually the showing the formation of coal, with many Churches Conservation Trust and to be seen ladies hairdressing was dropped and fossils found whilst coal mining, plus on the Lancaster Civic Society’s website: tobacco products and range of fancy goods fascinating facts e.g. Horatio Nelson was www.lancastercivicsociety.org/ added. They ran a prosperous business at Rector of Radstock for a number of years – 13a, Fore Street, for over 40 years. In the son of Nelson’s daughter, Lady 1901 Percy married Florence Cray, a Hamilton! (an exhibition of 151 9 THE INSPECTOR SAYS A column of extracts from the planning press prepared and annotated by John Bishton.

Riverbed held to comprise rights. Expect some expensive litigation information about provision of planning unit on several fronts, as the attempt to use open space, but recognised space Readers will perhaps remember an planning has failed. within two km that could be appeal in which the whole of the enhanced and upgraded, taking Kennet and Avon canal was held to Need for rail freight hub into account over £2 million comprise one unit for planning overrides Green Belt offered towards open space purposes. That was preyed in aid in The secretary of state has accepted provision. And she agreed about a this case, concerning the Victoria an inspector’s recommendation to proposed road being inappropriate Embankment in London. The allow the construction of a freight development in the Green Belt. conclusion, however, was different. exchange and warehouses within She accepted that the proposed The appellants contended that the the Green Belt. She agreed that it development would impact on the mooring of their pleasure boat and would constitute urban sprawl and Belt and lead to encroachment into restaurant boat was transient in the have a substantial and adverse affect the countryside. However, she gave course of navigation. on the landscape, and that it would weight to the provision of The inspector held that the be contrary to the London Plan affordable and market housing in appropriate starting point was to because it is not to be on previously an area of shortage. This added up establish the planning unit against developed land. However, the to very special circumstances. which to assess the materiality of building of the Channel Tunnel rail D.C.S. No:100-052-050 any change of use. In his view the link constitutes a precedent for a Why do we keep hearing from canal was not comparable, because strategic facility. She adduced columnists and politicians that the it is a single man-made unit of con- reductions in carbon dioxide Green Belt is an impediment to devel- struction and subject to licensing by emissions, employment creation, opment? How does this fit with the one body. The Thames is different, and nature conservation interests, Minister for Health’s recent announce- it has an estuary which is ill-defined all of which added up to very ment? Presumably the minister was and under fragmented ownership special circumstances. already aware of the verdict of the mostly divorced from control of the D.C.S. No: 100-052-056. panel of inspectors who are considering waterway. And it is a public right of Given the powers exercised above, the regional assembly’s draft plan and way to anywhere in the world. So which is what being a cabinet minister suggesting an additional 15.2% of the unit would need to be the is about, why do we need the new housing in the South-West, taking the riverbed beneath the boat. Further, commission of unelected, appointed target total to very nearly 127k over the he reasoned that mooring took great and good for strategic decisions? plan period, until 2026. place for several days at a time, and What would happen if Mr. Livingstone therefore was not incidental to took this to the High Court? It could be Unlisted Mill saved as navigation and was beyond the argued that the Green Belt was never workspace exercise of public mooring rights. intended to strangle London An unlisted mill in a Yorkshire But he believed that the visual village has been refused conversion impact of the one moored vessel Another Green Belt reversal into housing. The council’s policy was not materially different from The Secretary of State has overruled is to preserve a spread of that of a series of moored vessels, an inspector on a proposal for workspaces, and it at present and so did not change its use, so he 1,200 houses partially on Green houses some 40 to 50 staff. quashed the enforcement notice Belt land north of Bristol. She Though it is not modern, the that had been issued. decided that flaws in design and inspector recognised that this D.C.S. No: 100-052-142 access documents were not so great indicates workers being content to We shall hear more of this type of case as to justify rejection, saying that work there. He acknowledged that unless the licensing conditions can be there was sufficient clarity to enable conversion was a possibility for a changed by the Authority which will a full understanding. She agreed sturdy building, and would have presumably have to re-define mooring that there was insufficient detailed been acceptable but for its role in 10 The Inspector calls cont’d from page 9 the village’s fabric, and regarded its distinguishes them from the metro- difficult if the centre is in decline. working life as inherently preferable. politan). Broadly, that gap has been Fourth is the hike in house prices There had been offers to continue its widening at a rate of 10,000 a year, relative to wages which deters local use for work and it had not been and the prospect is that shortfall may labour and encourages commuting by advertised on the market. take over a decade to clear even with new, wealthier residents to nearby D.C.S. No: 100-051-695 recent Government attempts to cities. Fifth is the management of increase the supply of new homes. growth, balancing between the Initiatives to resurrect apprenticeships Not believing that we need to “save” increase needed to sustain services combined with workfare may sustain such every hectacre or rural land, I and the restraint if the town is to a building for a long time. When it ceases suggested that we increased retain its discrete character. to serve for such a purpose, it may yet development land allocation by, say, house office workers. There must be 35% over estimated need and that Hart and Powe suggest that market many such. The East End was once full builders might be offered some form towns should adopt strategies to of them. of tax break. However, the potential improve competitiveness, cohesion Character is worth sustaining. expansion of country towns is a con- and sustainability, and that in turn troversial subject and some favour implies developing indigenous the development of new estates industry, accommodating an appro- Village Shop ruled out extending the larger towns and cities priately skilled labour force, in central space – as now approved at Plymouth and maintaining an attractive public An inspector has refused permission Exeter. realm and a distinct identity, co- for a village shop with accommoda- locating housing, employment and tion above, in an East Yorkshire services and encouraging strong village and conservation area because community engagement in the affairs of harmful affect it would have on of the town. Previous studies suggest the village’s visual qualities. It was to that much depends upon the be on a central green area and situation of the town, its size and involve development on a Greenfield structure. To take two examples: first site. The village has poor public the town of Totnes which gains from transport and limited facilities, so the its proximity to the holiday borough development would be inherently of Torbay, has a good numerical unsustainable. balance between housing and D.C.S. NO: 100-051-691. employment and does not need to grow but is clogged with commuting A brief report but an important one for traffic and will never meet maintenance of distinctiveness. And sustainable targets while petrol Rural and Metropolitan region boundaries significant for a District Plan that supplies last; second , the town of protects green sites within settlements. Richmond in North Yorkshire gains in the sustainability stakes by its more remote situation, reducing the In their article on Market Towns, commuting element and increasing (reprinted in this magazine, see page its self-reliance. Rural Housing Shortage and the 3) Trevor Hart and Neil Powe of the Future of the Market Town School of Architecture, Planning and In my paper by Ray Green Landscape identify five main published by ASHTAV in 2004 I In the December 2007 edition of the challenges. The first is to maintain asserted that “with populations Journal of the Town and Country retail competitiveness by recognising totalling up to eight million and the capacity to accommodate many more, Planning Association are two articles customer demands; the second is to on rural housing and the future of country towns have the potential to respond to mobility which allows make a major contribution to the quest market towns. In my housing paper I locals to go elsewhere to satisfy their record the growing gap between the for sustainable living”. It now seems to needs by offering a sufficient range of be in the gift of the Regional number of houses being built and the services, employment, and parking ( Authorities whether this potential is extra households being formed which may imply growth) ; third to realised although this is only likely to naturally or coming into the rural meet the needs of the less well off or happen if actively backed by local regions through net migration (the less able which becomes increasingly communities. map defines the rural regions and 11 Items of interest from the Historic Environment s selected by Ela Palmer

Heritage Link’s email bulletin Up- no firm assurance from the home improvements inspired the date has continued to provide in- Department of Culture, Media and Planning Disaster Coalition and formation on the various and Sport that specific funding will be other groups including the numerous parliamentary Bills that allocated for the necessary Campaign to Protect Rural England could potentially affect the historic resourcing. On the bright side, (CPRE) to object in no uncertain environment. Foremost is the Her- English Heritage is committed to terms. The summary of responses to itage Protection Review, now ex- capacity building within local the consultation showed that the pected to be published as the Draft government heritage teams, and its majority reflected concerns about Heritage Bill (covering England HELM (Historic Environment local democracy, public participa- and Wales) in April. As Update Local Management) project has tion, and accountability. The Royal reminds us, although many of the been up and running since 2004, Town Planning Institute echoes measures in the Bill are positive aiming to ‘share best practice and these concerns in their response. and give hope of a simpler system build capacity and confidence in Other more specific policy changes of heritage protection and manage- those dealing with the historic envi- ring alarm bells for the heritage ment, there are still serious ques- ronment’. There is hope that in world. National Policy Statements tions to be asked concerning taking forward the Heritage are given special mention in resourcing for the work involved, Protection Review, all the Update, with concern growing that especially at local government lev- appropriate bodies will provide the they will become the primary con- el. funding and training needed to sideration in the determination of make the Heritage Bill a success. Of particular interest to ASHTAV planning applications, rather than members may be the incorporation The Planning Reform Bill has been Planning Policy Statements. The of all local authority lists of heritage given the most coverage in Update, simplification of consultation in the assets, including the Sites and and is of interest to a great number early stages of local plan making is Monuments Record and the of people judging by the 1600 worrying for ASHTAV members; Schedule of Buildings of Architec- written and 31,000 emailed we all know that early consultation tural and Historic Merit (Listed responses to the consultation. As with amenity societies and other Buildings), into one up-to-date reported in ASHTAV News 2007 organisations with an interest in the ‘Historic Environment Record’. Issue 4, the concerns over certain historic environment is the best way Many counties have already begun aspects of the Bill, in particular the for heritage concerns to be taken this amalgamation, but are finding establishment of a new separate into account in local policy. that lack of staff and funds prevent planning system for major infra- Following the second reading of the the updating and maintenance that structure projects and simplifying Bill in December, at which the a database requires. There has been the planning system for minor Secretary of State for Communities

12 Continued on page 13