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Knowing Your Place Heritage and Community-Led Planning in the Countryside u u INTRODUCTION

England’s villages and hamlets have a long history, with beginnings in the distant past that we are still discovering. Many originate in the Middle Ages, but some have a longer story, starting with the Vikings, Saxons, Romans or Britons. Others were later, with many established to serve local industry. As English Heritage cannot always Most developed in a piecemeal way, some were planned, some shrank or were re-sited and others provide detailed commentary on individual Community-Led were abandoned. Some are compact and have grown up around a green or a square. Others have Plans, we offer this general advice a sprawling plan or are strung out along roads. Some parishes are dominated by one large village: note to help rural communities that are producing, reviewing or others have straggling clusters of hamlets and farmsteads. updating their plan. In doing so, we deal with current approaches to Whatever their origin and development, every village and parish today includes its own distinctive community planning, although we historic buildings, fascinating archaeological remains, and streetscapes and landscapes full of historic may offer additional advice on proposed Neighbourhood Plans information and character.This history helps to make each place unique and cherished in some way. in the future. When a community is planning its future, through a Community-Led Plan, it is important to Our guidance is designed to consider its past. By including their heritage in the plan, communities can really get to know the complement and add more detail on heritage to the community place in which they live.They can ensure it keeps its vitality, sense of identity and individuality. planning toolkit provided by They can choose the best ways for it to develop and grow.They can hand it on – as a place to Action with Communities in be proud of – to future generations. Rural (ACRE) and other, more local, advice. ACRE’s toolkit should always This advice note deals with the incorporation of local heritage within plans that rural communities are provide the starting point for producing, reviewing or updating and focuses particularly on parish plans and village design statements. your plan and is available online at: www.acre.org.uk Should you English Heritage hopes this advice will ensure that Community-Led Plans harness the full power of the require further detailed advice on heritage issues, directions to community’s heritage.With only limited resources available for protecting and revitalising this heritage, English Heritage guidance on a local action is now required more than ever. wide range of topics and good practice case studies in Community-Led Planning are provided throughout this document.

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When a community starts work on a Including heritage in your plan will: • Innovate Including heritage in your Community-Led Plan – such as a Parish plan is not about fossilising the village Plan,Village Design Statement, or similar • Inform The character of the place or preserving the parish ‘in aspic’. neighbourhood initiative – it is usually in which we live is rooted in its Knowledge of its history helps a thinking about its future. So why should heritage; it helps us understand what community understand how it has it worry about its past? makes a place distinctive, attractive and changed – sometimes dramatically – interesting to live in.The ‘shape’ and over time.This can stimulate ideas for Including heritage in a plan allows you ‘look’ of today’s settlement and its future actions and help to guide them. to effectively combine care for the surroundings – its pattern of roads, natural and the built environment with lanes, fields, woods, hedgerows and • Invigorate By encouraging sensitive community hopes and intentions for the buildings – has built up over centuries. and thoughtful change, by inspiring future. A good understanding of your Including heritage in your plan ensures design that responds to its surroundings local heritage can reveal forgotten links all these continue to tell the story of and by promoting the conversion to to the past. It can inspire and guide the parish and its people through time. new uses of redundant historic buildings, development and innovation as well heritage can contribute to the vitality of PART 1 as encouraging conservation. • Integrate Although the important the village and rural communities. It can of this advice note offers need to protect nature, including encourage investment, entrepreneurship, advice on gathering information Without an understanding of your species and habitats, is well understood, tourism and employment. heritage, well-intended recommendations little of England’s landscape is truly ‘wild’. PART 2 and actions could cause damage that Our landscapes were made by people • Involve Heritage belongs to all discusses recognising opportunities might be difficult or impossible to put working with nature. Important habitats of us and is at the core of our right. So it is important to have sufficient – hedgerows, woodlands, orchards, sense of personal and community PART 3 understanding before you make commons and ponds – are also our identity.With its potential to discusses developing objectives these decisions. heritage, created by generations of accommodate new housing, reduce farmers and villagers. Community-Led carbon consumption, build skills and making recommendations Plans can bring together nature, and support jobs, it can provide landscape, heritage and community an excellent stimulus to community PART 4 aspirations far more effectively than action and bring people together. provides advice on presentation larger scale plans, such as Local of your plan Development Frameworks.

APPENDICES provide advice on community questionnaries and useful links to further information 2 � 1 2 �

HERITAGE ATTHE 3 4 5 HEART OF THE VILLAGE AND PARISH As well as providing spaces for homes, businesses and community use, your local heritage is fundamental to a sense of place, identity and shared history Figure 1: St Mary Magdalene, Caldecote Hertfordshire © Brijesh Patel Figure 2: Village store, Chiddingly, East Sussex © Ivor Berresford. Source: English Heritage. NMR Figure 3: Village hall, Blisland, © Gill Cardy. Source: English Heritage.NMR 6 7 Figure 4: Village school in historic building, Burnsall, Dales National Park © Yorkshire Dales National Park Figure 5: War memorial, Fen Drayton, © Jane Greatorex. Source: English Heritage.NMR Figure 6: Post Office, Lechlade, © Michael Clarke. Source: English Heritage. NMR Figure 7: Square and Compass pub,Worth Matravers, © Tony Jerome, CAMRA 3 � PART 1 � GATHERING INFORMATION

HOW MUCH INFORMATION It is important for those drafting the Further information on these plans DO YOU NEED? Community-Led Plan to discuss carefully is available on the Historic Environment at the outset how much detail is needed. Local Management (HELM) website at: When you are deciding how to use your In the rest of Part 1 we offer broad advice www.helm.org.uk/communityplanning heritage to develop a Community-Led on what could be included in a Parish and all are available in full on-line Plan, it is important to be clear about Plan or Village Design Statement as a (see Appendix 3) how much detail you need.You could series of bulleted actions. spend many years researching the ❖ heritage of one parish. So, to avoid Those with diamond-shaped bullets getting side tracked or bogged down are worth considering for all with unnecessary work, concentrate on Community-Led Plans including the purpose of your plan and be clear Parish Plans. about ‘what’ to include and ‘why’. ➢ Those with arrowed bullets are more English Heritage recommends that appropriate for plans focusing on the all Community-Led Plans address local built environment of your community, heritage, but the amount of detail you such as Village Design Statements. include will depend on your resources and the type of plan you want to When considering how to tackle produce. Parish Plans, for example, have heritage in your plan, a good starting a wide scope and focus on services so point is to look at plans completed they usually include less detail on heritage by other communities. Throughout this than a Village Design Statement.A design document we offer examples of plans statement considers the look, layout and that we believe are good models in their future development of the village (or all treatment of different aspects of heritage, settlements in the parish), so it will have whether it is in terms of landscape, a reasonable level of detail on your local or village design. Some of heritage. More information and greater these plans are exemplary in several detail may be required if your community’s different ways, but in our case studies ambition is to have its statement adopted we choose to highlight just one of these. as formal planning guidance, such as supplementary planning documents.

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WHERE TO GET The Heritage Gateway can also direct you ADVICE AND GUIDANCE HERITAGE INFORMATION to your local Historic Environment Record As well as information about the historic (or HER).This is an important source, buildings and places in your parish, a lot IDENTIFYING LOCAL HERITAGE maintained by your district, borough, or of advice on how to look after local Information on your local heritage county council or National Park Authority. heritage is available on-line, or as free can be found in both national and It will generally have more comprehensive pamphlets. A good starting point is local records. A useful starting point information than the national records, the English Heritage web site at is the online Heritage Gateway at extending from individual finds and sites www.english-heritage.org.uk/ www.heritagegateway.org.uk to entire landscapes. Some HERs are publications. These publications This provides an initial and accessible on-line: for others you need are also available on the Historic easily-accessible set of local and national to contact the relevant council. Links and Environment Local Management (HELM) sources of information about England’s addresses for every HER in England can web site at www.helm.org.uk, heritage.You can easily search these using be found on the Heritage Gateway. where they are supplemented by your village or parish name.They include: A variety of other basic sources numerous good practice case studies. • Listed Buildings Online: the online may also be helpful. Nicholas Pevsner’s Your local authority web site may also register of listed buildings Buildings of England series of books have more locall specific guidance on heritage. • Images of England: contemporary (arranged by counties) is an important colour photographs of listed buildings and easily accessible guide to the Throughout this document, we provide most notable historic buildings in links to the most relevant on-line • PastScape: the national record your area (see www.pevsner.co.uk) of the historic environment with English Heritage advice notes, should Many counties will also have volumes you want more detail on any topic. information about archaeological in the Victoria County History series, and architectural heritage We also signpost other useful sources an invaluable source for local history of information and advice. • ViewFinder: historic photographs (see www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk) • Parks & Gardens UK: information on historic parks, gardens and ornamental landscapes.

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HERITAGE IN THE LANDSCAPE Your Community-Led Plan should not neglect the landscape which surrounds the place where you live Figure 8:The wider landscape is a vital 10 part of your community’s heritage and new tools are available to help you understand it.These are illustrated by reference to the village of Halford in Warwickshire, seen here from the air. NMR 15218/25 © Crown copyright. NMR

Figure 9: Most of England is covered This plan has been produced specifically to supply an individual with value added Local infAuthor mation.ority Reproduced from the mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (R) Cro Cop ight.yrwn Unauthorised reproduction infr es Croing Copyrwn ight and may lead by Historic Landscape Characterisation to prosecution or civil proceedings. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019088. studies, which interpret today’s landscape in terms of its past and present uses ARW WICKSHIRE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD and its ‘ancientness’. Information and maps are available from local Historic HALFORD HISTORIC LANDSCAPE CHARACTER Environment Records HLC Types Figure 10: On-line access to mapped serNur y/Garden Centre Planned Enclosure Paddocks and Closes information on listed buildings (blue Floodplain Other Small Rectilinear Fields Designed Landscape circles) and other heritage designations is available from English Heritage and Historic Barns Other Large Rectilinear Fields Historic Settlement Core many Historic Environment Records Large Irregular Fields LarerV ge Py Wost ar Fields Post 1955 Semi-detached © Crown Copyright and database right Re-organised LeavBroad ed Plantation Housing 2011.All rights reserved. Ordnance Piecemeal Enclosure ic FarHistor mstead Survey Licence number 100019088. Natur Open Wal ater

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WHAT SHOULD YOU Sites protected by law clearly need 11 CONSIDER INCLUDING to be identified in Community-Led Plans, IN YOUR PLAN? but they are only a small part of the community’s overall heritage.To provide All Community-Led Plans need to have a full picture we recommend your good information to guide decisions. plan considers: The effectiveness of any plan will depend • the surrounding landscape on the quality of the information on • village layout which it is founded. Heritage is only one of a number of topics that the plan • historic buildings will need to include in its evidence-base. • places of worship ‘Heritage’ (often also referred to as • village character and ‘townscape’ ‘the historic environment’) is an umbrella • green spaces term that includes a variety of features, • views and sight lines evidence and traditions surviving from the past.The most obvious heritage features • conservation areas are historic buildings and structures but • archaeological sites. buried archaeology, townscapes and landscapes, gardens, ancient woodlands, Each of these is considered in green spaces and landscape features more detail in the following pages. can be just as important, as can local place-names, customs, traditions, memories and oral histories. Some heritage features and historic places are protected by law (designated) because they are considered to be of particular importance. Most commonly these are listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens and conservation areas. More rarely they can be World Heritage Figure 11: © Peak District National Sites, protected historic shipwreck sites, Park Authority 2011 and registered battlefields. 7

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THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE A good initial understanding of last few hundred years is by examination Remember to consider the landscape the characteristics of the landscape of historic maps.This allows historic road surrounding the place where you live – which surrounds your village can be patterns, plot boundaries, field boundaries, it is just as historic as any listed buildings. obtained from the set of 159 National and the historic shape and relationship The pattern of fields, hedges, settlements Character Area descriptions available of settlements as they have changed and woodland across your parish is like at: www.naturalengland.org.uk through time to be easily understood. a patchwork quilt, with the character of These describe the underlying Information on access to maps is some patches little changed since medieval geology, land cover, land use and provided in Part 4 of this guidance. historic development of each area. times or the agricultural revolution, while Checklist: others have been much altered in More detailed information on your local ❖ modern times. landscape heritage is available from the If Historic Landscape Character GOOD PRACTICE: Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) mapping is available for your area HISTORIC MAPS AND Factors to consider include: that covers most of England.Where these consider what it tells you about UNDERSTANDING • How people in the past have studies have been completed, the reports the development of the place LANDSCAPE used and divided up the landscape. and maps will be available through your and include a map in your plan ❖ The Village Design Statement What variety of shapes is apparent local HER.They usually cover whole counties Consider including selected and easily for Murton, on the eastern in the surrounding fieldscape? and interpret today’s landscape landscape available historic maps of the parish side of York, makes good • How settlements relate to the land. through past and present uses and the in the plan use of the analysis of historic Do you live in a landscape dominated ‘ancientness’ of each part of the patchwork. ❖ If a Landscape Character Assessment maps from different periods by big villages or many smaller hamlets A local Landscape Character Assessment is available for your area summarise to understand the historic and farmsteads? (LCA) may also be available from your local it in your plan and cross reference it authority. This will cover a wide range of growth of the village and its • How people have moved through the ➢ Consider undertaking a more detailed present day form. attributes of the landscape, including some landscape.What can you learn from aspects of its heritage, although it will tend landscape study, with greater emphasis the pattern of pathways, lanes, roads, to focus more on the aesthetic appeal of on analysis of historic mapping. At Kinnerley, in Shropshire, canals and railways? the Parish Landscape Group the landscape than on the details of its produced a very detailed • Whether you live in a nationally history and development. Landscape Character designated landscape such as a National If you think a more thorough landscape Assessment as part Park, Area of Outstanding Natural study is needed to support a community of their Parish Design Beauty or Heritage Coast and what plan, a good way of understanding the Statement, which is special qualities this confers. development of a village or parish over the an extension of their Parish Plan.

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VILLAGE LAYOUT This information can set the scene for your buildings and structures that your While the buildings, structures and community plan and an understanding of community thinks are an important monuments in a village or hamlet are how settlements sit in the landscape and part of your heritage through discussions of importance, other less obvious aspects have grown in the past may help guide or questionnaires (see Appendix 1). make an important contribution to its decisions on future growth. Beside more recent housing developments, these might include landmarks, memorials, character and individuality.These include Checklist: its plan or layout. or other buildings of particular relevance ❖ Consider including selected and easily to your community such as a church, GOOD PRACTICE: A good starting point is to think about available larger-scale historic maps of chapel, hall, school or pub. Don’t stop at UNDERSTANDING how the layout of the settlement has the village in your plan the edge of the village: consider local farm DEVELOPMENT OF developed through time. ➢ Consider undertaking a more detailed buildings in the surrounding landscape, as THE SETTLEMENT • Does the parish have one large map analysis of historic village maps these also contribute to local character and can find important new uses. The Village Design Statement village or several hamlets? ➢ Consider including an annotated for Castle Hedingham, in • Is the village arranged around a map that shows how the village National and local Buildings at Risk North , describes the green or square, or along a street? has developed over time, including Registers can also be consulted to identify village in terms of its setting, Is it compact or ‘straggling’? any clearly defined areas that which buildings are threatened and in the development of the • Has it lost population and shrunk, have a different character or need of action to save them.The National overall settlement, and then leaving the ‘humps and bumps’ development history. Heritage List for England is available at goes on to describe the of ruined houses in adjacent fields? www.english-heritage.org.uk/list characteristics of the buildings and some local planning authorities Or have people decided to move HISTORIC BUILDINGS and spaces within the village. it to a completely new location? maintain a local ‘at risk’ list. Identifying historic buildings and structures The Town Design Statement • Is the parish church in the centre is a key consideration in any community Checklist: for Sturminster Newton, of the settlement, on its edge or plan. Many homes, business premises and ❖ Include a table and a map showing in North Dorset, incorporates distant from it? community spaces in the village will be in listed and locally listed buildings in detailed analysis of townscape • Does map evidence suggest the older buildings. Identifying any listed buildings your plan and includes a series of village has been added to gradually – the legally protected historic buildings ❖ Identify any buildings on the national analytical maps to define or in bigger planned blocks? considered to be of national importance or any local Building at Risk Register different aspects of – is the obvious starting point. ➢ townscape. It defines Historic maps, together with visual Consider consulting the community distinctive character areas inspection of buildings and immediately But also think about other buildings. to identify any other buildings of and systematically describes surrounding fields are the key to For example, some local authorities particular local importance and include and analyses each area. understanding these changes over time. maintain a list of historic buildings of them in the plan as a table and map. local importance.You can also identify 9

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LOCAL CHARACTER Your community’s sense-of place depends as much on everyday details as on the rare and extraordinary. Local materials, building traditions, and minor features all contribute to character of the area

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PLACES OF WORSHIP Help in researching and caring for places of These details may vary significantly Places of worship – the church, meeting worship is available from denominational from one part of the village to another, house or chapel – have been at the heart websites including www.churchcare.co.uk between settlements in the same parish, of the village for centuries.The church and www.english-heritage.org.uk/ or between neighbouring parishes. All are will often by the oldest local building protecting/places-of-worship at the heart of our ‘sense of place’ and standing and its fabric, extensions and their identification and description will alterations will tell the story of the Checklist: be important in a community-led plan, community’s changing lifestyle, prosperity ❖ Do not forget to include places of particularly a Village Design Statement. and experiences.The churchyard or burial worship, the churchyard and facilities The ‘townscape’ can be systematically ground may provide tranquil communal such as church and community halls described and illustrated using a open space and a haven for wildlife as in the scope of the plan) straightforward procedure known as well as a permanent record of those who ❖ From the outset, involve the Parochial Historic Area Assessment. Historic Area lived locally. Memorials, monuments and Church Council or minister (or their Assessments help people to understand headstones can reveal a great deal about equivalents in other faiths) in the what makes a place distinctive by the social mix, health and occupations of preparation of your plan. describing the buildings, patterns previous inhabitants whose experiences and features that are special. Equally may still have an influence on the modern importantly they establish what makes community.Together, the church and a place characteristic of its locality by churchyard may offer clues about the VILLAGE CHARACTER AND ‘TOWNSCAPE’ establishing what is typical and what community’s story that are otherwise are recurring local themes. undocumented. As places of worship The materials, styles, scales, detailing sometimes move from one denomination and groupings of buildings within the All communities can undertake a basic or faith group to another, records may village, together with their relationship historic area assessment. Don’t just be held in different places. with streets, plots, boundaries, open confine this to conservation areas, but spaces and views all provide the overall take account of the entire community, character (or ‘townscape’) of the by covering the whole village or all the settlement. Other aspects, such as settlements in the parish. Look at what traditional street surfaces, street furniture has been achieved in other community or signage (such as cobbling, fencing, plans to see different ways of describing and fingerposts) are also important. and illustrating village character and design and think about what will work best for your community.

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Checklist: Although written initially for local These historic open spaces are often ➢ authorities Section 5 of English Heritage important for their nature conservation GOOD PRACTICE: Consider and describe what makes UNDERSTANDING one part of the village or parish guidance Understanding Place: Historic value as well as their heritage. It is LOCAL CHARACTER different in character from another. Area Assessments in a Planning and important to consider both aspects and Development Context provides a useful attempt to balance them if proposals in The Village Design Think about the community history that might explain these differences and longer checklist of issues to think the plan might lead to conflict. Statement for Wymeswold, about when analysing and describing

➢ , contains Identify the way building materials the character and ‘townscape’ of your Nationally important parks, gardens excellent hand drawn sketches, (stone, slates, bricks, cobbles, timber) village or parish.This is available at: ornamental landscapes and battlefields photographs and descriptions contribute to the place and whether www.english-heritage.org.uk/ are listed on English Heritage registers. of building features, identifies there are problems of supply or skills publications/understanding­ These can be accessed via the Heritage predominant styles in different for maintaining them? place-planning-develop Gateway. Others important landscapes streets and pays attention may be on local registers or can be ➢ Think about the way styles, scales, to local boundary styles. detailing and groupings of buildings identified through advice from County Garden Trusts (see are used in different parts of the village GREEN SPACES The Village Design Statement or parish. Are there predominant styles www.gardenstrusts.org.uk) for Winterborne Stickland, or recurring themes? Historic green spaces commonly in North Dorset, is strong in encountered in the parish include village Checklist:

➢ Look at the way buildings relate to its analysis of distinctive local greens and ponds, commons, veteran trees, ❖ Include a list and map of any registered themes, especially recurring each other, to streets, to building plots woods, orchards, historic parks or gardens parks, gardens or battlefields and to open spaces. Are there areas local building materials and churchyards. Recreation grounds, play ➢ Include any other parks gardens and detailing. of greater housing density and some grounds, burial grounds, verges and historic parts of the village that are more or battlefields considered important transport routes, such as canals, also have by the community The Village Design Statement sparsely settled? historic interest. Occasionally parishes may ➢ Include a list and map of other types for Prestbury, in Cheshire, ➢ Consider how aspects of approaches also include the sites of historic battles. provides systematic descriptions to the village and its streetscape, Some of these green spaces are public and of historic open spaces that are of listed buildings, as well as street furniture and surfacing contribute others will be privately owned, but may be important to the whole community, other buildings of architectural or detract from the character of accessible by rights of way.Together they such as parks, commons, village greens merit. Local character is the settlement provide an important aspect of the historic and churchyards and burial grounds. described street-by-street character of the village and parish. ➢ Consider the role of paths, lanes, roads, both within and outside the canals and railways and the way these conservation area and there connect your village and parish to the is a section on the landscape surrounding landscape. setting of the village.

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GREEN SPACES Green spaces in and around your settlement – whether large or small – are important for its heritage, wildlife and character Figure 12: Village pond, Ashmore, Dorset © Brian Kingsland. Source: English Heritage. NMR Figure 13: Churchyard at St Nicholas, Cramlington, Northumberland © Peter Wakely, Natural England 17 18 Figure 14: Earthworks of medieval fields, Bradbourne, Peak District National Park © Peak District National Park Figure 15: Gardens, stream and grass verges, Rockbourne, Hampshire © English Heritage Figure 16: Castle mound, Earls Barton, © English Heritage Figure 17: Village Green, Minstead, New Forest National Park © English Heritage Figure 18: The Common, Hungerford, © English Heritage

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VIEWS CONSERVATION AREAS These are very valuable sources of Views and lines-of-sight within the Some villages and hamlets lie partly information – but also remember to settlement and the settings of its historic or wholly within a conservation area – consider the character and heritage buildings are important, but so are views a designation that provides protection of your parish or village outside the to the landscape beyond or views into for parts of the settlement that are conservation areas. it from the surrounding countryside. identified as having a special character Checklist: Views from high ground looking down on and appearance.These are usually ❖ the village may be particularly important the oldest or best preserved parts. Identify the existence and boundaries to the community, as may deliberately This designation recognises and protects of any conservation areas and include designed views (such as along an avenue historic townscape, historic spaces, a map showing them in your plan

of trees). Features within your village, trees and landscapes, the relationship ➢ If there is one, obtain the conservation such as a church spire, may also be of groups of buildings, and important area character appraisal or management important eye-catchers when viewed views in addition to individual buildings. plan, summarise the key issues they from a distant viewpoint. set out and cross-reference them in Assessments of character and appearance your plan. Planning policy requires the settings of have been produced for about half of designated historic buildings and sites to England’s conservation areas. Known as be taken into account when there are Conservation Area Appraisals, these identify development proposals, but community the characteristics and appearance that plans can go further and identify other give the area its special qualities, such as key views.These should generally be views recurring local themes. Such documents that are important to the community as vary in scope and coverage but, where GOOD PRACTICE: a whole, rather than just to individuals. they exist, they can be usefully summarised UNDERSTANDING VIEWS and cross-referenced in your community Checklist: plan. Some conservation areas also have The Town Design Statement ➢ Identify which views are most sensitive a management plan, which you will need for Sturminster Newton, and important to the community as a to take into account.Your local authority in North Dorset, indentifies whole and consider how these might planning department can tell you whether selected principal views both be affected by development an Appraisal or Management Plan exists within and towards the town for conservation areas in your village or ➢ Depict key views on a map in your plan. and looking outward into the parish or you may be able to find the surrounding countryside. information on the Council web site These are depicted on a or in the local HER. Town Analysis map.

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VIEWS AND SIGHT LINES 23 Views and lines of sight can be an important aspect of your local heritage, particularly when they are valued by the community as a whole Figure 19: ‘Glimpses’ of local landmarks within the settlement can be important. Church of St Peter and St Paul,Weobley, © Skyscan Balloon 22 Photography. Source: English Heritage Photo Library Figure 20 and 21: Long-distance views into and out of settlements can be important to the community, whatever the topography. Lyddington, Rutland (20) © Skyscan Balloon Photography. Source: English Heritage Photo Library and Boscastle, Cornwall (21) © English Heritage Figure 22: Designed views are particularly sensitive.This tree-lined avenue provides the approach to New Arlesford, Hampshire © English Heritage Figure 23: Views from high ground can be sensitive in terms of the village roof-scape and back-land development. Longnor, Peak District National Park © Peak District National Park Authority 2011

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ARCHAEOLOGY Information on local archaeology is 24 Archaeological remains are an important, available from the PastScape website but often overlooked, part of the heritage (via the Heritage Gateway) and a more of the parish and village.They include the comprehensive record is available from the evidence of thousands of years from the local authority Historic Environment Record. earliest traces of human activity to remains Remember that this information will not from industry, the World Wars and even be complete and many more features later.They represent far more of your remain to be discovered. community’s history than its historic buildings. A large number of archaeological Checklist: ❖ sites occur within the landscape of each Include in your plan a table and map parish and some lie underneath its villages, showing any scheduled monuments hamlets and farmsteads. in the parish and consider extending this approach to include other Some archaeological sites survive as important sites impressive monuments, such as a standing

➢ GOOD PRACTICE: stone or a castle mound. Elsewhere, they Include in your plan a table and map UNDERSTANDING may be deeply buried or may occur as showing all known archaeological sites LOCAL ARCHAEOLOGY ‘humps and bumps’ in surrounding fields. and finds adjacent to or in the village. The Village Design Statement These ‘earthworks’ on the edge of villages for Horton, a small hamlet in may show the site of abandoned houses , includes an account because the village has shrunk over time. of its local archaeology, Don’t forget your industrial archaeology, including a map and schedule features such as canals, lime kilns, quarries identifying the location of and mills. archaeological sites and finds. It also refers to the Some archaeological sites (scheduled settlement’s industrial monuments) are protected by law, but archaeological heritage in many other archaeological sites are also the form of the Kennet important.They can all illuminate your and Avon Canal. community’s most distant history and provide the excitement of actively discovering it. Figure 24: © Peak District National Park Authority 2011

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DOING YOUR OWN If your community intends to develop a 25 COMMUNITY SURVEY WORK questionnaire, open days or workshops to inform your plan, as recommended The sources signposted in this document by ACRE, consider including questions will help your community to identify its on local heritage to identify what features local heritage without having to employ local people value. Some suggested professional help. If their workloads questions to ask are included in permit, local authority staff such as Appendix 1 planning officers, historic building conservation officers and archaeological advisers may be able to offer additional advice; help you identify buildings, sites and places that are protected by law or recorded in the HER; or direct you to Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans. For Village Design Statements, it is particularly important for your community to identify aspects of your heritage that you think important, alongside the places protected by law. This may involve carrying out survey work to identify buildings that contribute to the quality of the village townscape or which are ‘at risk’. Or it could involve undertaking historical research on the settlement, documenting community memories, or collecting old photographs.

Figure 25: © English Heritage

17 � PART 2 � RECOGNISING OPPORTUNITIES

Understanding the history of your parish Amongst actions you may wish to LOCAL LISTING AND or village will show how much and how consider, as preparatory projects, as CONSERVATION AREAS often it has changed over time. So caring plan recommendations and guidelines A number of local authorities have for your local heritage does not have or in an action plan are: policies which encourage ‘local listing’. to be about stopping all further change. Local listing does not bring any additional Instead it can be used to guide and inspire consent requirements over and above future development, ensuring it is of high RISK AND CONDITION SURVEYS the requirement for planning permission quality and contributes to sense-of-place. English Heritage maintains a national but it is a status recognised in national Preparing a Parish Plan or Village Design Heritage at Risk register www.english­ planning policy so locally listed heritage Statement provides an excellent way of heritage.org.uk/caring/heritage-at­ is a material consideration when making identifying opportunities to enhance the risk and some local authorities maintain planning decisions. value of local heritage to the community. their own more local registers (see above). The writing of a Community-Led Plan These opportunities can be addressed Risk registers provide opportunities to in various ways. can provide a useful opportunity to identify priorities for action and grant-aid, determine whether there is community • Some can be undertaken as preparatory but local authority lists can be out-of-date and local authority support for local listing projects needed to inform the drafting and rarely include non-listed buildings and what aspects of local heritage might of the plan. or other types of historic site such as be designated. It can also help to make • Some can be dealt with as archaeological monuments or parks the case for putting an area forward for recommendations and guidelines within and gardens. designation as a conservation area or the plan (see Part 3). Preparing a Village Design Statement reconsidering the boundaries of existing • Others can be identified as desirable offers your community the opportunity conservation areas. actions for the future. to establish the condition of key historic The English Heritage Good Practice buildings and sites, to update the local Guide for Local Listing is available at: The range of projects you undertake and authority register or to extend it to recommendations or actions you set out www.english-heritage.org.uk/ unlisted buildings and other features caring/listing/local/local-designations will vary from community to community of importance to the community. and depend on your timetable for action and your available resources.

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FINDING ADDITIONAL AND NEW USES FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Finding additional uses for historic buildings can help to ensure their continuing value to the community.Where original uses are no longer possible, new functions can be found that retain their historic character

Figure 26: Farmers market in 29 30 St Giles’ Church, Shipbourne, © English Heritage

Figure 27: A village shop has recently been opening in outbuildings of the community-owned Derby Arms, Witherslack, Lake District National Park © English Heritage

Figure 28: Well-designed village shop, cafe and meeting place within St Leonard’s Church in Yarpole, Herefordshire © English Heritage

Figure 29: Chapel converted to residential use, St Dennis, Cornwall © English Heritage

Figure 30:Village school converted to study 31 32 33 centre, Minstead, New Forest National Park © English Heritage

Figure 31: Methodist chapel converted to affordable rural housing, Ambleside, Lake District National Park © English Heritage

Figure 32:Traditional farm building converted to workshop, Stoke-sub- Hamdon, © English Heritage

Figure 33:Traditional farm building converted to community centre, Little Basing, Hampshire © Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

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ADDITIONAL AND NEW • New Uses for Former Places of ACTION ON CONSERVATION AREAS USES FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS Worship available at www.english­ One in 7 conservation areas is ‘at risk’, Ideally, if they are to be kept in good heritage.org.uk/publications/new­ meaning it has deteriorated over the heart, all historic buildings need to be uses-former-places-of-worship/ last three years, or is expected to do so in active use. If their original use is no • Living Buildings in a Living Landscape: over the next three.Your community can longer viable, consideration can be given Finding a Future for Traditional Farm play an important part in reversing this to finding additional uses or to adapting Buildings and The Conversion of deterioration.Three key actions that them to wholly new purposes, while trying Traditional Farm Buildings:A Guide can address this loss of character are: GOOD PRACTICE: to maintain their character and evidence to Good Practice available at • making sure each conservation area COMMUNITY-LED of past use.These buildings could include www.helm.org.uk/farmbuildings has a Conservation Area Appraisal CONSERVATION AREA redundant places of worship or industrial • providing each conservation area APPRAISALS or agricultural buildings. Giving redundant historic buildings new life through sensitive refurbishment to improve with a Management Plan With the encouragement If the community needs a new service services, facilities or energy efficiency needs • removing permitted development rights of their local authority, the or space, consider whether this can be to be considered before options involving (development rights that do not require people of Cranbrook, a provided in a currently under-used historic demolition and new building.This is because planning permission) where there is small town in Kent have building, such as a church hall, village shop it will retain the historic character of the good evidence that this is damaging taken the lead in producing or pub, to ensure it is kept in regular use. community and is generally more cost- local character.This can be achieved an appraisal of their effective than new-build projects. It also through a formal process known as an Conservation Area. In rural areas, historic farm buildings makes more environmentally sustainable Article 4 direction, on which your Local The Conservation Area present a particular opportunity for re-use, use of the energy and materials already Planning Authority can provide advice. Advisory Committee, as so many are becoming redundant with used in creating the original building. comprising representatives the potential to become derelict eyesores. The local authority is ultimately responsible of local interest groups, the Some agricultural buildings are situated in More detailed guidance on the sensitive for taking these actions, but concerns and business community, relevant villages and hamlets and may be particularly refurbishment of historic buildings includes: widespread backing for action set out professionals including suitable for conversion to community use, • Refurbishing Historic School Buildings within a community-led plan will help architects and parish and business or live-work units or housing. available at www.english-heritage. make the case.With limited public borough councillors drew Buildings lying outside the village have org.uk/publications/refurbishing­ resources for heritage there may also up the appraisal informed by similar potential, although local plan historic-school-buildings be potential for more direct community the relevant English Heritage policies will need to be taken into account. leadership in producing appraisals (see guidance. The Appraisal has • advice from the Campaign for Real Cranbrook, to left), although this is still subsequently been adopted More detailed English Heritage guidance Ale on the sensitive refurbishment rare and does require good local as a Supplementary on the adaptive re-use of historic buildings of historic pubs is available at expertise and a lot of effort. Planning Document. includes: www.heritagepubs.org.uk/ home/adviceforplanners.asp 20

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For more detailed advice on dealing IMPROVING CARE FOR 34 with conservation areas at risk, see: YOUR PLACES OF WORSHIP www.english-heritage.org.uk/ Caring for places of worship can benefit publications/conservation_ the whole community.This is because they areas_at_risk can accommodate a wide range of uses, ranging from post offices to crèches; lunch clubs to adult education classes, concerts, TAKING OWNERSHIP exhibitions and markets. However the An increasing number of community-based cost and responsibility of maintaining them organisations are taking on responsibility generally falls on a few volunteers who are for managing assets that were formerly part of the congregation. If historic places owned by local authorities.This can focus of worship are to be well-maintained and the energies of local people to prevent made available for everyone in the parish, these assets, which are often local the wider community, not just those who landmarks, from falling into decay or want to worship in the buildings, needs inappropriate use or to help secure to help out. Inventive community plans the future of a local amenity, such as a will recognise the potential of places of community hall or public open space. worship as a possible venue for community English Heritage, along with partner space and facilities, particularly where organisations, including the Heritage there are no other public spaces. Lottery Fund and the Asset Transfer Unit, More detailed advice on caring for places of has published guidance to support the worship and finding new uses is available at process of successful asset transfer. www.english-heritage.org.uk/ Its purpose is to ensure that all parties publications/caring-for-places­ involved in the process have access to of-worship all the information they require to make it a success.That guidance, along with a Additional information on the wider number of case studies can be found at use of places of worship is available on www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/ www.churchcare.co.uk/develop.php get-involved/take-ownership

Figure 34: © English Heritage

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NEW BUILDING AND GOOD DESIGN IN THE COUNTRYSIDE If well designed, new or converted buildings can enhance the character and vitality 38 39 of your community.Traditional or novel design and the use of local materials all have a part to play

Figure 35 and 36: Affordable rural housing using traditional materials at , Dorset (35) © English Heritage and Bakewell (36) © Ovi Rominger

Figure 37: Earthen-walled toilet block, Swanage Steam Railway, Norden, Dorset © English Heritage

Figure 38: Contemporary conversion of a farm building in Northamptonshire © English Heritage

Figure 39:The RIBA award-winning 40 41 Jerwood Centre, Grasmere, Lake District National Park uses traditional materials and respects existing buildings © English Heritage

Figure 40:The David Mellor cutlery factory, Hathersage, Peak District National Park, built in local gritstone and with a spectacular lead roof © English Heritage

Figure 41: Modernist conversion of ruinous manor house at Blencowe Hall, near Penrith in , for use as a private residence and holiday accommodation © English Heritage

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ENCOURAGING GOOD DESIGN AFFORDABLE HOUSING travel to more distant work locations. Your Community-Led Plan provides an A population that is diverse in background, Old buildings can house community opportunity to encourage good design age and income benefits the vitality of energy schemes and some, such as old in new development.Your appraisal will the community, but retaining this diversity water mills, can easily be converted to have explained the village layout and often requires new affordable housing. produce power. defined its character so new development The historic character of the village need Detailed English Heritage good-practice can be designed to reflect and complement not be a block on affordable housing if guidance on energy efficiency is available at that character.A rural location does not it is well planned.You might consider, www.climatechangeandyourhome. prevent high-quality innovative design for example, the potential of redundant org.uk and your home. and this can be particularly effective buildings to provide affordable housing. when re-using and extending a traditional building or when executed in local Where new housing is proposed in building materials. sensitive historic locations it needs to ACTION TO ENHANCE be carefully designed and use appropriate THE STREETSCAPE materials. Good design will pay attention to – and take inspiration from – the scale, The condition of the streets and lanes SKILLS AND MATERIALS density, character and setting of around your village can have a huge impact It is not possible to maintain the distinctive surrounding historic buildings. on its appearance, and they can easily historic character of the place you live become cluttered with unnecessary signage without access to craft skills or the right Detailed English Heritage guidance and road markings. Rural streetscapes tend traditional materials.There is a national on the affordable housing is available at to be characterised by their simplicity and shortage of skilled craftsmen and some www.helm.org.uk/affordablehousing lack of intervention, so it is important to local materials, such as building stone, avoid inappropriately urban characteristics can also be very hard to obtain. when introducing traffic calming or parking ENERGY EFFICIENCY control measures in your village. Retaining Your plan could consider the opportunities or reintroducing traditional signage helps for bridging the gap in both skills and Community-Led Plans may also consider to reinforce local distinctiveness. materials.This might be through proposals whether re-using historic buildings can that encourage the creation of new contribute to the community’s energy A street audit can identify problems and businesses, such as local building firms, efficiency, while retaining local character. issues and contribute to your community local timber production, or small-scale Many rural historic building types are plan. More detailed English Heritage ‘delves’ for building stone.You may also already energy-efficient and the performance guidance is available as Streets for All: Practical address skills and materials shortages as of others can be easily and cost-effectively Case Studies.This consists of a summary and part of heritage projects following up enhanced.The re-use of buildings as local ten leaflets on different aspects of making on your plan. work spaces can reduce the need to better streets, each featuring a community 23

� 42 43 44 �

45

MAKING A DIFFERENCE By acting as an inspiration for community action, your heritage can support the future of the place you live Figure 42: Traditional building skills are 46 essential to the maintenance of local heritage © Natural England Figure 43: Gibson Mill, a former cotton mill at Hardcastle Crags,, is now used to generate energy © Figure 44: Affordable rural housing 47 combining converted farm buildings with new build at Blanchland in the North Pennines AONB © Bob Edwards Figure 45: Repairing a cobbled road, Hawes,Yorkshire Dales National Park © English Heritage Figure 46: Skills training session at Holy Trinity Church, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire © SPAB Figure 47: Repairs to a traditional road sign in Somerset © AONB Service

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where this has been put into practice. Consider, for example, whether there 48 The guidance is available at: is widespread community support for www.helm.org.uk/server/show/ protecting open space through registration nav.19645 as a Town or Village Green or for negotiating improvements to your surrounding rights-of­ A good example of local design advice way network, to offer new ways to access for the rural streetscape is provided by your local heritage. ‘Rural Streets and Lanes:A Design Handbook’ published byThe Kent Downs Area of Advice on the conservation Outstanding Natural Beauty, available at: of churchyards is available at: www.kentdowns.org.uk/pdf/ www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk masterfinal.pdf Advice on common land, village greens, In addition, advice on traditional rural open spaces and public rights of way is road signage is available at: www.english­ available from the Open Spaces Society at heritage.org.uk/professional/advice/ www.oss.org.uk advice-by-topic/planning-and­ transport/streets-for-all/future­ Advice on caring for historic trees is available for-fingerposts at: www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk

ENHANCING OTHER MAINTAIN HERITAGE IN THE HISTORIC GREEN SPACES SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE Give consideration to conservation and Many local historic features and buildings enhancement projects for other aspects will lie in the farmland around your village of historic public open space as well as the and many will be visible from footpaths ‘streetscape’.These include churchyards, or on common land. If these are in village greens, parks and gardens; bodies poor condition, the landowner or of water such as mill or village ponds; and the commoners may be able to get even individual veteran and other historic assistance to help improve things trees.They can also include historic through Natural England’s Environmental transport routes such as canals or disused Stewardship Scheme. railway lines and the footpath network Figure 48: © English Heritage surrounding the village.

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u u 49 50

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Local action is the key to ensuring your community heritage is cared 51 52 for and appreciated Figure 49: Members of the parish planting trees on the historic common at Chesham Bois to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 © Cllr David Hamer, Chesham Bois Parish Council Figure 50: Volunteers surveying risk at the ruined 18th-century Banqueting House at Hornby Castle, Bedale, © Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland Figure 51: Churchyards can be cared for in ways that benefit both people and wildlife. St Weonard’s churchyard, Herefordshire © Caring for God’s Acre Figure 52: Community workshop, Cranborne Chase AONB © CCWWD AONB

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English Heritage advice on managing Once information is gathered for a Parish You may also want to go beyond your the heritage and archaeology of Plan or Village Design Statement, it can local buildings, townscape and archaeology farmland is available on also be used in a variety of ways to stop to consider place names, customs and www.helm.org.uk/farmadvice it being forgotten again, for example by traditions.The names of fields, woods, lanes providing a parish history board in a public and local pubs are also important aspects place, an attractive parish map in the parish of the history of a parish and can deepen IMPROVE INTERPRETATION or church hall or extra pages on the parish understanding of local heritage AND UNDERSTANDING web site. (see, for example, www.commonground.org.uk) Any survey you undertake of local You can also establish a longer-term heritage may identify aspects that are project to dig deeper into your history FUNDING not recognised or are under-appreciated than is immediately needed for your Funding for community heritage projects by the community. Consider whether community plan. For a more in-depth is inevitably limited, but a community-led these can be better explained, perhaps study, the key local organisations and plan provides a good basis for making a by providing an information board for a places to search are local studies libraries, grant application and can improve the poorly understood ancient monument local museums, and local civic societies. You likelihood of success. or by opening a building or historic site could study the parliamentary enclosure on Heritage Open Days, during the maps and tithe maps often available Advice on securing funding for a wide Festival of British Archaeology or Civic Day through local studies libraries, county range of heritage projects is available at (see www.heritageopendays.org.uk, record offices and land-owning estates. www.ffhb.org.uk and through the www.britarch.ac.uk and Where they exist, local history societies Heritage Lottery Fund website at www.civicvoice.org.uk/campaigns/ and local historians can be invaluable. www.hlf.org.uk civic-day) Above all, local people can be a valuable source of information about the history Some assistance is also available through You may also want to go beyond your of your village or parish. Ask local residents funding streams such as the LEADER or local buildings, townscape and archaeology for old photographs, newspaper cuttings, Environmental Stewardship schemes of the to consider place names, customs and family history, and old records that might Rural Development Programme for England. traditions.The names of fields, woods, give an insight into earlier use of land For examples of LEADER schemes which lanes and local pubs are also important and buildings. have benefitted local heritage see Leader aspects of the history of a parish and and the Historic Environment at can deepen understanding of local www.english-heritage.org.uk/ heritage (see, for example, publications/leader www.commonground.org.uk)

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u u 53 54 55

DEVELOPING OBJECTIVES

56 Action to explore, interpret and understand your local heritage will make sure it stays at the heart of the village and parish Figure 53: Community archaeological excavation of the old parish church at Perranzabuloe, Cornwall © Dick Cole, 57 Historic Environment (Projects), Cornwall Council Figure 54: Interpretation board at Cawood Castle and Garth, North Yorkshire produced by the Cawood Castle Garth Group, on behalf of the parish council © English Heritage Figure 55: Opening heritage properties to the public on Heritage Open Day, St Nicholas’ Church, Charlwood, Surrey © Rod Shaw Figure 56: An interpretation board produced by the Friends of Pulverbatch Castle highlights the heritage and wildlife value of this Shropshire site © Friends of Castle Pulverbatch Figure 57: Simple information board provided by the Moat Society, St Briavel’s Castle, Gloucestershire © English Heritage 28 � PART 3 � DEVELOPING AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS

The key section in your Community-Led If you wish your plan to be adopted by Guidelines in your plan are likely to Plan is an action plan that sets out the Council you need to demonstrate develop naturally from this process. recommendations for actions to be taken, that all sections of the community, including For example by identifying: identifies who will take them and gives dates local businesses, residents and voluntary • which buildings and areas are protected; for completion.A Village Design Statement groups, have been involved in the planning or equivalent will also have descriptions of process and that your proposed actions • which other parts of the village contribute local character from which guidelines for recommendations and guidelines have been to its character and which views the future changes are developed. discussed with the council officers, land community thinks are important to owners and organisations which might retain or enhance Your plan will be more effective if it includes implement them.You may also wish to • which parts of the village need renovating recommendations and guidelines for your undertake some additional preparatory • what you think is harmful to the historic local heritage alongside those for other projects before you begin the process of topics, such as the natural environment interest and character of your village and drafting recommendations. Or you may is capable of improvement or village services.These recommendations want to identify some future projects in the will be the guiding principles to help you Action Plan. Possible options are suggested • where the heritage interest of the achieve the community’s aims in terms of in Section 2. buildings and landscape lies its heritage and to set out clearly how you • what size and scale of buildings or want your village or parish to be in the Before you begin to frame any detailed materials contributes to the character; future. Even if you do not expect a great recommendations or guidelines on heritage and what you are looking to emulate deal of of change locally, your plan will need it will be helpful to: in any new buildings recommendations repair your local heritage • check the existing policies for heritage • where archaeology may be important and to respond adequately to future or for your village or parish in the problems and opportunities. in terms of the location of any proposals, adopted local development plan or as it may need to be preserved or Although your plan may have particular its proposed replacement excavated before development. sections dedicated to local heritage, it is • assess the information you have very important to consider the implications gathered from records, maps and of all aspects of the plan for your heritage. guidance on heritage For example, your plan might be concerned • weigh up opinions you have been offered with education provision and your local in community meetings and surveys and school may be a historic building. If so, consider how these relate to local heritage proposals for the school should take account of its historic character. • list the strengths and weaknesses of your local heritage, together with any threats to it, or any opportunities it provides.

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Keep in mind your social and economic Finally, consider what trends are affecting 58 proposals when you are considering what the place you live in, such as changes in buildings the community wants to keep or employment patterns, population or enhance.Try to match proposals for village the nature of local businesses.Are they services with space in under-used buildings. harmful or beneficial? Do they need to be For example: modified and what is most effective way • Are there enough homes in the village of achieving this? Will there be unintended to sustain your local school or village effects? Think through the consequences shop? If not, can conversion of redundant of any proposed action. historic farm buildings or other disused If you want your plan adopted formally by structures contribute to meeting the need the council you will need to have discussions for new housing and helping to retain the with officers and members of the council population and services? at an early stage to check how you plan • What sort of new businesses might be relates to the heritage policies in your local needed in the future and what sort of development plan or any supplementary GOOD PRACTICE: guidelines are needed to encourage planning documents. Do your proposals fit GUIDANCE ON them to invest? Are under-utilised with these? Could the local plan policies be LANDSCAPE buildings available and are they best added to and improved upon? The Landscape and Design suited for use as housing, workshops Statement for Kelsall, in or live-work units? Cheshire, draws attention • Does all new development need to be to the relationship between in the village or main hamlets, or are new the landscape setting of the recommendations to encourage housing village, with its sandstone or businesses in outlying farmsteads geology, and the distinctive desirable as well? character of traditional buildings and boundaries Consider adding recommendations within the settlement. It seeks your plan for all aspects of the historic to protect this landscape and environment, including the streetscape, distinctiveness by augmenting green space and other aspects of public development plan policies. space. Remember to check your recommendations for green spaces Figure 58: © English Heritage to ensure they respect both their historic and natural importance. 30

� PART 4 � PRESENTATION OF YOUR PLAN

Advice on drafting and presenting your is well-documented elsewhere (in a shaded. A map is the best way to plan is provided by the ACRE toolkit, Conservation Area Character Appraisal explain site-based or area-based plan which also sets out a suggested structure or Landscape Character Assessment or recommendations. Access to Ordnance for a community-led plan. Information, in Supplementary Planning Documents), Survey maps is discussed below but a map recommendations and guidelines on the it may be sensible to cross-reference to drawn by a local artist or community group community’s heritage will be only one these other documents, and summarise can also be visually engaging.The process part of the plan and needs to be fitted their content in your plan. of producing such maps can also lead to into its overall structure. a greater understanding of the place and Some of the best plans adopt a more GOOD PRACTICE: • Information on heritage from records, are invaluable when monitoring changes visual approach, with descriptions and over the long term. ATTRACTIVE maps and surveys would form part photographs related to key maps. PRESENTATION of Section 3: Snapshot Profile of Illustrations make a document easier to Remember to date your plan (when The Parish Plan for Brereton the Community. digest and are particularly appropriate prepared and when adopted) and the and Ravenhill, is available • Results of questionnaire surveys would when considering your settlement’s maps and photographs it contains as both in hard copy and as a be included in Section 4: Consultation. ‘townscape’.Well-taken photographs of the statutory designations and other web version.The version on • Specific actions relating to protection, key heritage assets and views are always heritage information will change over the website is contains an regeneration, or enhancement of the desirable and should be clearly dated and time. Ensure a copy is deposited in an interactive map of the village, historic environment would be included located. Historical photographs are helpful accessible place – it will become an locating the listed buildings in the Action Plan. in interpreting previous uses of buildings, important historical document in its and buildings of interest understanding the evolution of a place, own right – and consider whether it as well as providing a Presenting information about your local and appreciation of historic views. will be easily understood when it is photograph and description heritage will usually require a mixture of consulted in the future. of each feature. written description, illustrations and maps. Maps are particularly important for You may even opt for a more interactive understanding heritage.They can be The Village Design web-based approach. Remember that, used to show the locations of individual Statement for Good Easter, alongside a specific heritage section, buildings and sites and are the only in Essex is available as a heritage issues need to be fully integrated practical way to mark key boundaries web version which can be with other sections of your plan. such as the extent of a conservation downloaded. The document area. As well as using maps to identify contains good illustrative Don’t overload the plan with too much the location of historic buildings and maps of the village detailing detail on heritage.Too much text can be sites, they are also useful for presenting character areas, settlement off-putting and obscure the really important analysis, proposals and recommendations. pattern supported with good issues. If you have a lot of information, you For example, key views can be marked photographic evidence. can include the key points and make use of with arrows on a suitable base map and tables or appendices. If your parish heritage areas that need enhancement can be 31

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ACCESS TO MAPS Ordnance Survey base maps at a scale 59 Large-scale Ordnance Survey maps, of 1:1250 or 1:2500 are often the most which were first produced in the suitable for Village Design Statements, as later 19th-century, can be particularly they show individual buildings and plots. informative and are easily accessible in If they are kept uncluttered they will be digital format from commercial retailers easier to read, so you may need more such as emapsite and Landmark. than one map for different categories of local heritage. Remember that listed The Ordnance Survey ‘OS OpenData’ buildings do not have designated boundaries. initiative provides free access to a range The extent of land covered by the listing of modern OS maps and data that can be (the ‘curtilage’) is a matter for legal downloaded and used.These are restricted interpretation, so is better identified to mid-scale map products, which may be with a dot or other symbol. of greatest use in presenting whole-parish scale information. Large-scale mapping data, for illustrating your plan, is available from a number of Ordnance Survey also Ordnance Survey sources – depending on the status of your also maintains ‘OS OpenSpace’ a simple group or society.To investigate the best online Geographic Information System option, contact the Ordnance Survey (GIS) developer portal which provides directly at: customerservices@ access to a range of OS mapping products ordnancesurvey.co.uk and allows the creation of simple on-line GIS for inclusion in local community-based websites. Some software development skills are required but the system uses simple industry-standard coding and programming. OS OpenSpace data is free to use and is covered by a simple Creative Commons user licence. Both OS OpenData and OS OpenSpace may be accessed through the Ordnance Survey website www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Figure 59: Historic OS Mapping: © and database right Crown Copyright and Landmark Information Group Ltd (All rights reserved) Licence numbers 000394 and TP0024.

32 � APPENDIX 1: COMMUNITY SURVEY ON HERITAGE �

The Action with Communities in Rural 6. Are there any particular views that England (ACRE) toolkit provides advice you consider it is important to identify on Community Consultation, including and protect? guidance on consultation techniques 7. Do you think any historic parts of and developing questionnaires. the village or parish should be put Communities need to consider whether to to better use? include questions on community heritage 8. Do you have any historical information, in any wider survey or questionnaire and such as old photos, or old documents any projects specifically to identify heritage relating to the village or parish? valued by local people should have regard 9. Are there any local traditions than to the ACRE guidance. can be supported or revived? Examples of possible questions to include are: 1. What particular historic aspects of the village or parish do you value? 2. What traditional qualities/aspects of the village or parish do you think it is important to protect? 3. Which buildings are most valued by the community? 4. Do you think any historic aspects of the village or parish could be enhanced? 5. What do you think is unique and/or distinctive about your village or parish?

33 u u APPENDIX 2: USEFUL LINKS

Action with Communities The Domesday Book online Looking at Buildings in Rural England (ACRE) www.domesdaybook.co.uk www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/ www.acre.org.uk index.html English Heritage Ancient Tree Forum and Woodland Trust www.english-heritage.org.uk MAGIC (Multi-Agency Geographic www.frontpage.woodlandtrust. Information for the Countryside) org.uk/ancient-treeforum/ Directory of all County Gardens Trusts www.magic.defra.gov.uk atfaboutus/aboutus.htm www.gardenstrusts.org.uk Natural England The Ancient Tree Hunt HELM (Historic Environment www.naturalengland.org.uk www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk Local Management) www.helm.org.uk The Open Spaces Society Association of Gardens Trusts www.oss.org.uk www.gardenstrusts.org.uk Heritage Funding Directory www.heritagelink.org.uk/fundingdire Ordnance Survey Mapping The Association of Small Historic Towns ctory/main/fundinghome.php and Data Centres and Villages of the United Kingdom www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsit www.ashtav.org.uk The Heritage Gateway e/partnerships/mdc/index.html www.heritagegateway.org.uk Campaign to Protect Rural England OS OpenData service www.cpre.org.uk Heritage Lottery Fund www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ www.hlf.org.uk oswebsite/opendata Civic Voice www.civicvoice.org.uk Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Parks & Gardens UK Downs AONB historic landscape www.parksandgardens.ac.uk The Domesday Book online characterisation www.domesdaybook.co.uk www.historiclandscape.co.uk Pevsner Architectural Guides www.pevsner.co.uk Common Ground Images of England www.commonground.org.uk www.imagesofengland.org.uk Victoria County History www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk The Council for British Archaeology Listed Buildings Online www.britarch.ac.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ A Vision of Britain through Time lbonline www.visionofbritain.org.uk

34 u u APPENDIX 3: LINKS TO SOME EXEMPLARY COMMUNITY-LED PLANS

Acton, Edleston & Hunhull Prestbury www.cheshireaction.org.uk/forms/ www.macclesfield.gov.uk/publication parishplans/completed/Acton%20 .asp?pageid=12766 Edleston%20Henhull%20Parish%20 Plan.pdf Sturminster Newton www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? Brereton & Ravenhill mediaid=148859&filetype=pdf www.davecottongraphicdesign.com/ Parish_Plan_Intro.htm Winterborne Stickland www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? Castle Hedingham mediaid=148010&filetype=pdf www.braintree.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ 9FEE2331-8003-489A-B2A5­ Wymeswold 6DDA9C127B1A/0/CastleHedingha www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mVillageDesignStatement.pdf mediaid=148010&filetype=pdf

Good Easter www.goodeaster.org.uk/vds_ document.htm

Horton www.wiltshire.gov.uk/horton_village _design_statement.pdf

Kelsall www.kelsall.org.uk/VDS.html

Murton www.york.gov.uk/content/45053/648 48/64860/Planning_advice_and_guid ance/Murton_vds

35 u ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

English Heritage intends to keep this advice under review and to amend it in response to feedback from community groups and others.We will also review and update it in response to developments in neighbourhood planning. If you have comments or suggestions about it please contact Sarah Tunnicliffe, National Rural & Environmental Adviser at [email protected]. This document was prepared by Stephen Trow and Sarah Tunnicliffe with assistance from Pat Aird,Tim Brennan, Tim Brooks, Nick Chapple, Katy Coate, Katja Condy, Andrew Davison, Keith Emerick, Diana Evans, Phil Garner, June Gosling, Sarah Green, Grover Lewis Associates, Martin Hawkins, Pete Herring, Sarah Holloway, Jon Humble, Lindsay Jones, Jeremy Lake, Owain Lloyd-James, Erick Matthews, Kate Minnis, Louisa Moore, Ian Morrison, John McCann, Judith Nelson, Ann Preston-Jones, Ferol Richards, Alyson Rogers, John Sewell, Amanda Smith, Rohan Torkildsen, Phil Turner, Charles Walker, Ben Wallace, Ruth Watkinson, Rowan Whimster, Jenifer White, Andrew Wood, Helen Woodhouse and Phillip Vincent.

Cover images: Top left: Tree planting by parish members at Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire © Cllr David Hamer, Chesham Bois Parish Council Top middle: Square and Compass pub,Worth Matravers, Dorset If you require an accessible version of this document © Tony Jerome, CAMRA (for instance in audio, Braille or large print) please contact Top right: Heritage Open Day, our Customer Services Department on 0870 333 1181 St Nicholas’ Church, Charlwood, or email [email protected] Surrey © Rod Shaw Bottom left: Community archaeological excavation at Perranzabuloe, Cornwall This advice is supported by © Dick Cole, Historic Environment (Projects), Cornwall Council Council for British Archaeol ogy Bottom middle: St Mary Magdalene, www.britarch.ac.uk for all Caldecote, Hertfordshire © Brijesh Patel Archaeology Bottom right: Peak District village O05/11) from a distance © Peak District National Park Authority 2011 Country Land & Release 1.2 May 2011

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