Landscape and Cultural Heritage 42
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
PEOPLE AND NATURE NETWORK THEME 2: LANDSCAPE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE INTRODUCTION be of archaeological, architectural, artistic or the character and quality of the landscape; and cultural interest; and some heritage assets can small-scale developments within designated areas 2.53 The People and Nature Network aims to form key components of the landscape. These could have a cumulative, erosive effect. achieve a strong environmental infrastructure include significant areas of multi-functional network within which planned settlements, 2.58 Climate change has the potential to alter open space such as parkland, gardens and sustainable growth and landscape change can the landscape and cultural heritage through battlefields. The rich cultural heritage of the be positively managed to assist with the delivery changes to coastal land, habitats and land uses. landscape adds to the distinctiveness of a locality of sustainable communities. Landscape provides The changing conditions and demands may and its setting for development. However, some the backdrop or setting for our lives. The role provide opportunities as well as challenges, heritage features may be at risk of being lost of landscape in green infrastructure planning is such as a move to renewable energy resources or damaged by neglect, poor management, fundamental as it provides the spatial context and and new crops. Changes to precipitation, and isolation, inappropriate development and the loss basic network for ecosystem services and green geological shrink/swell will be impacted by of expertise from local government due to lack of infrastructure. intense rainfall and longer drier periods which resources. are predicted as part of altered weather patterns 2.54 The wide range of landscapes across 2.56 Pressures on the landscape are increasing. due to climate change. These issues will impact the Network area provides varying patterns A continued high level of economic growth in the on archaeological preservation in situ and and scales of land-use and settlements. These south-east brings new development, an increasing potentially some permanent changes to the historic landscapes range from the Greensand ridge with population and the associated impacts on the landscape. its spectacular views, the wide open Downland of landscape of visual intrusion, noise, traffic and the chalk plateau and extensive areas of parkland; 2.59 A strategic approach to the development of light pollution. Indirect impacts of development the undulating landforms of the Wealden a people and nature network helps develop more include intensification of farming and demands Greensand; patterns of dispersed farmsteads and resilient landscapes which can adapt to change on already overstretched infrastructure; increased springline settlements below the Downs; the low- and retain character and distinctiveness. demand for water supply and processing and lying, grazed pasture and drainage networks on space for recreation. the Pevensey Levels; the medieval landscape of the HERITAGE Low Weald and the varied coastline. 2.57 The statutory planning network provides 2.60 The present landscape has been heavily protection to designated landscapes in presuming shaped by the interactions between people and 2.55 The historic environment is a key against major developments. However, component of the landscape and an integral places through time. The cultural heritage of the development outside and on the boundary of part of green infrastructure. Heritage assets may landscape is revealed by archaeology, historic designated landscapes has the potential to affect features, buildings and settlements; it provides 42 2. Understanding the Evidence amenity, educational and tourism value and adds where professional drying companies and events or flooding. However, it is important to to local distinctiveness. removal and replacement of plasterwork retain – and in some cases reinstate – the historic were utilised. Although heritage assets are at character of an area, as an essential component 2.61 Elements of the historic environment are huge risk from climate change, there are also of the landscape. recognised as heritage assets for their importance opportunities for us to embrace the strength of to society and are given a level of protection 2.64 Historic Landscape Character Assessment traditional buildings and materials. or consideration through designation. This (HLCA) identifies the time, depth and antiquity can include World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Sustainable Development is defined as of the present day landscape. It sets out a more Monuments, Listed Buildings, Registered Parks and ‘development that meets the needs of the present integrated, less site-based approach to heritage Gardens, Registered Battlefields and Conservation without compromising the ability of future conservation and a link with wider environmental Areas. generations to meet their own needs’ issues through identifying previous land uses and agricultural enclosures. HLCAs have been The conservation of our heritage is fundamental UN Brundtland Commission (1983) developed across the Network area35 and seek to to the principles of sustainable development. identify and understand the historic development The NPPF makes provision for sustainable 2.62 Historic England34 recognises that the of the landscape and place emphasis on the development to contribute to the protection and protection of heritage can contribute towards a contribution that past historic processes make to enhancement of the historic environment.33 range of other spatial planning goals through the character of the landscape as a whole, not its influence on environmental character and There is growing evidence for the value of just selected ‘special sites’ and can contribute to sense of place, as a potential to be a catalyst for traditional building materials and techniques wider landscape assessment, as well as guiding regeneration and as inspiration for high quality when it comes to recovery and adaptation to decisions on future change and management. design. climate change – a review of flood recovery HLCAs provide useful information and context for approaches at Hebden Bridge and Appleby by 2.63 Some heritage features may be at risk the development of strategic green infrastructure Historic England has pointed to the potential of being lost or damaged through neglect, plans and ensure that heritage is considered for historic building materials to recover from poor management, the effects of isolation or alongside other land uses. flooding quicker by using simple techniques inappropriate development; and the potential 2.65 Green infrastructure can play a role that work with the natural qualities of historic effects of climate change will make some heritage in helping to enhance the setting of heritage materials (such as ventilation), than situations features particularly vulnerable to extreme weather features, bring in resources to invest in heritage 33 NPPF Paragraph 8 34 Officially known as the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, Historic England is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport 35 Across the Network area HLAs have been carried out by the county authorities of Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey, and the SDNPA as part of its South Downs Integrated Landscape Character Assessment (SDILCA). 43 PEOPLE AND NATURE NETWORK projects and celebrate local heritage as part of boundaries and provide a sound basis for co- “Landscape means an area, as perceived by an integrated and multi- functional approach to ordinated cross-boundary plans and strategies. people, whose character is the result of the action environmental enhancement. Green infrastructure They also provide the basis for developing and interaction of natural and/or human factors.” can also help protect below ground archaeology guidance and policy on landscape change. This and the settings of historic features from the ELC, 2000. is a key issue for the Network area where the pressures of development. consequence of planning decisions in one area LANDSCAPE CHARACTER may impact on adjacent areas and landscapes. LANDSCAPE 2.69 The ELC defines landscape character as 2.73 At a national level Natural England has 2.66 The value and diversity of landscapes and ‘a distinct and recognisable pattern of elements developed National Character Areas (NCAs)38 the need to maintain and improve landscape that occur consistently in a particular type of (Plan 5). These are areas that share similar quality is recognised at national and European landscape.’ landscape characteristics and which follow natural level. lines in the landscape rather than administrative 2.70 Landscape character and quality strongly boundaries, making them a good decision-making 2.67 The National Planning Policy Framework influence our perception and enjoyment of green network for the natural environment. The NCA (NPPF) includes provision for local planning spaces as destinations, as settings to new and Profiles can help guide decision-making and authorities to protect and enhance valued existing settlements and movement routes through support the planning of environmental initiatives landscapes and the setting of criteria-based the landscape. policies for judging the impact of development on at a landscape scale, for example in informing landscapes. In particular the NPPF expects local 2.71 Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) data the delivery of NIAs and encouraging broader planning authorities to protect