Discovery, Innovation and Science in the Historic Environment RESEARCH

ISSUE 14 . WINTER 2019-20 ...to the Winter issue of Research magazine.

This issue reports on a range of recent place-based research projects, situating them in the context of Historic England’s 2018 Places Strategy, which emphasises the important role played by research in successful place-making, and in the continuing development, deployment and evaluation of characterisation and Historic Area Assessment approaches .

Research carried out by our own architectural and archaeological investigators and commissioned by Historic England is an integral part of our input to Heritage Action Zones (HAZs), which involve working with local partners to harness the potential of heritage to promote sustainable growth in places facing a range of pressures. Johanna Roethe and Kaija-Luisa Kurik describe how our research in central Rochdale is enhancing the understanding of the special character of the area and laying the foundations for the grant-aiding of repairs to key buildings. Elsecar, encompassing an industrial landscape near Barnsley in Yorkshire, is a three-year HAZ approaching completion. As Dave Went explains, the research project there has provided a really powerful vehicle for community engagement. It’s a great example of how research can help communities discover more about their heritage and rejuvenate pride in their local place.

Recently Historic England was awarded £92m by Government to help revitalise often struggling historic high streets around England as part of its High Streets Heritage Action Zones initiative, and the programme will start from 1st April 2020. Owain Lloyd-James, Aimee Henderson and Rebecca Lane describe the context and the role Welcome... that research is likely to play in the High Street HAZs and discuss our demonstrator project in Coventry.

As a world city London is in many ways a special case requiring a Greater London-wide approach and an agreed set of terms to describe historic character. Dave Hooley talks about the work we are doing to support the Greater London Authority in this sphere.

Lastly, we’re involved in a number projects where there is a need for research to tease out the complex character of places such as Digbeth and Deritend in Birmingham in advance of development as Pete Boland and his co-authors explain. This encompasses the rural as well as the urban and Neil Redfern highlights the novel approach we are taking to the remarkable landscape that is the Yorkshire Wolds where we are working in tandem with local history and arts groups to build consensus around what the heritage of the area means to each of us and how it can be sustained for the future.

Claudia Kenyatta Ian Morrison Director of Regions. Director of Policy & Evidence.

Front cover image: The Strand, Derby City Centre, Derbyshire. © Historic England Archive, Patricia Payne, DP187421

2 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 3 We are the public body that helps people England’s spectacular historic environment care for, enjoy and celebrate Contents ...... Winter issue

RESEARCH magazine

Editor Colum Giles

Designer Vincent Griffin 6 12 30 40 58 Web design Robin Page

Managing Editor Robin Page

Previous issues of Historic England Research can be Uncovering Digbeth Researching High Streets viewed online at: http://bit.ly/ New research highlights the Heritage Action Zones HEresearchbackissues

threatened special character of an How research is adding value to the ISSN: 2058-1858 inner-city area in Birmingham. regeneration of historic high streets. Product Code: HE0030

Copyright © the authors or their employing institutions (text) and Historic England 2020. The views expressed are those of individual contributors and not necessarily those of Historic England.

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Historic England, research and Community engagement in the Heritage place-making and co- Sustaining London's vibrant Food for thought Textphone: 01793 015 0174 place: the past and the future Elsecar Heritage Action Zone operative connections historic places Community involvement in a Email: customers@Historic Informing the understanding, Working with and for the New research is supporting the Helping London's historic character research strategy for the Yorkshire England.org.uk management and enjoyment of community in a former South Heritage Action Zone initiative in build its fascinating future localities. Wolds. England's historic places. Yorkshire mining village. central Rochdale.

4 historic england research spring 2020 spring 2020 historic england research 5 Historic England and its predecessor an all-important national context for work organisations have been investigating in particular places. Historic England, and researching England’s historic places for many years. This collective research In 2017 Historic England published its effort has informed decisions about the Research Agenda which sets out what protection and management of places we see as the main research priorities for as varied as Birmingham’s Jewellery the heritage sector. Place-based research research and place: Quarter, Boston in Lincolnshire and permeates many of the nine priority Berwick-upon-Tweed. The research has themes identified in the document and helped create effective local partnerships the topics and research questions below and shaped how communities and local each, but it is particularly relevant to authorities perceive and value their the #Understand theme. It was always the past historic places. intended that the Research Agenda would in effect operate as a vehicle for Strategic programmes establishing research collaborations with Our focus on place making and our major universities and other organisations. national programmes such as Heritage and the future Action Zones (HAZ), High Street Heritage Historic England became an Independent Action Zones (High Street HAZ) and Research Organisation (IRO) in 2017. regional priority places all require a targeted IROs are recognised by UK Research and Informing the understanding, management research input that responds to the specific Innovation (UKRI) as possessing the in- and enjoyment of England’s historic places. needs of the place and local partners. As house capacity to carry out research that stated in our Places Strategy published substantially extends and enhances the in 2018 what research reveals ‘about a national research base, and are able to place’s significance is often catalytic to demonstrate an independent capability to the establishment of a shared vision and undertake and lead research programmes. informs its realisation’. They are also able to apply to the Research Councils for funding. Places come in all shapes and sizes and while we focus much staff resource and In the light of this, establishing productive research grant funding on particular partnerships with Higher Education landscapes and places we also research Institutions and Independent Research individual heritage assets at risk, and carry Organisations is a strategic priority for out a small number of strategic thematic us and there is great potential to bring studies of threatened and little understood together our applied heritage research with building and place types, e.g. 20th-century that being undertaken by others. We see public houses, 20 th-century new towns, such research collaborations adding real and a national study of the development value alongside our own contributions to of suburbs which is nearing completion. place making programmes such as the High These strategic national projects help Street HAZ. >> inform our listing programmes and provide

As stated in our Places Strategy published in 2018 what research reveals ‘about a place’s significance is often catalytic to the establishment of a shared vision and informs its realisation’. Architectural investigation at Ely. © Historic England Archive, Patrica Payne, DP172317.

6 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 7 Our research approaches that are of more limited heritage value. Core by Historic England in 2017. It draws Action Zones. A book on the Ramsgate Over the last two decades we have elements of the approach are incorporated on the approach adopted in its sister HAZ is the next one to be published. developed a range of approaches to in advice on undertaking Conservation Area document Understanding Historic assessing and characterising historic places, appraisals. Different combinations of the Buildings: a guide to good recording The available qualitative evidence points including broader brush characterisation above approaches can be used depending practice (first published 2006 and revised to these books having a significant programmes, such as Historic Landscape on the nature and size of the place, research in 2016) by advocating a series of levels impact in terms of enhancing knowledge, Characterisation and more urban focused need and the intended application. of assessment to help those specifying building partnerships and in helping to and finer-grained approaches of the kind the HAA and to ensure it is tailored to the shape local heritage strategies. A proto- explained by Dave Hooley on p.48. Sitting The HAA approach, which was deployed research need, the nature of the place and HAA and research project carried out on below these in this suite of approaches to in many of the projects described in this the resources available. Swindon’s railway works and estate and understanding place, and finer-grained still, issue, was developed in the course of published in the mid-1990s has been used is that known as Historic Area Assessment our own internal place-based research The main outputs of HAAs tend to be by the local authority on a regular basis (HAA). This is used to assess the historical projects and has been tested in a variety research reports published in our online since that time to underpin the provision development and character of a defined of urban contexts as well as in rural or Research Reports Series or small of conservation advice. The Swindon Below left: Ramsgate area usually a suburb, town or city centre. It mixed landscapes such as Alston Moor in accessible books, collectively published Railway Village and associated former Below right: Houses Harbour with the combines an analysis of fabric evidence with Cumbria and the Hoo Peninsula in Kent. as the Informed Conservation Series GWR buildings (see image below) are on Exeter Street, Clock House. Swindon Railway map regression and documentary research by Historic England. 34 titles have been now the focus of a Heritage Action Zone, © Historic England Village. © Historic Archive, Chris to highlight particular character areas or Guidance on the approach was produced published in the series to date and more and the benefit of having the detailed England, Steven Baker, Redgrave, DP084728. buildings of interest and also parts of places by English Heritage in 2010 and revised will emerge from our research in Heritage research ‘in the bank’ is clear. >> DP263281

8 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 9 Right: Swindon’s Railway Village becomes a Heritage Action Zone. © Historic England Archive, Damian Grady, 29615/042.

Very often the true impact of place-based research projects takes a long time to surface so there is a need for a long view in the process and to use this looking back to identify more effective evaluation measures for the future.

Evaluating value and impact Lastly, the research resulting from placed outcomes. The HAZ and High Street The author Above right: Market As part of our drive to ensure that based characterisation and HAA projects HAZ programmes offer us an unparalleled John Cattell MA (Hons) Place, Norwich, Norfolk. © Historic everything we do has clear public benefit provide the new understanding that fosters opportunity to demonstrate the value of MA (Arch Cons) FSA IHBC England Archive, Steve we are looking to improve the way we community engagement, wellbeing and research and investigation to place making, National Head of Research Cole, DP084728 evaluate the impact of research projects. wider social capital, as the research in the and to develop new approaches. We are with Historic England. Consequently, we have commissioned LUC Elsecar HAZ demonstrates so clearly with incredibly excited about it n consultancy to carry out a review of our 1300 members taking part in the research John has worked for urban characterisation programmes, and and activities associated with it and many Historic England and its further work may be required to assess more indirectly involved. Evaluation of The HAZ and High Street predecessors since 1989 the extent to which characterisation has place-based research needs to capture this HAZ programmes offer us in a variety of roles influenced local planning policies. We also wider impact beyond the significance of including Chief Buildings need to review the effectiveness of our HAA the bricks and mortar and the influence an unparalleled opportunity Historian and Research projects and their output. Very often the on local planning policy. All High Street to demonstrate the value of Director. He is now responsible ​for developing true impact of place-based research projects HAZ projects are required to produce research and investigation to and leading the organisation’s national takes a long time to surface so there is a community engagement plans which will place making, and to develop research work. John is also responsible for need for a long view in the process and be fully integrated with the other part s Historic England’s relationships with the to use this looking back to identify more of the project and will result in a range new approaches. We are Research Councils and leading on Independent effective evaluation measures for the future. of sustainable community engagement incredibly excited about it. Research Organisation engagement.

10 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 11 Uncovering Digbeth

New research highlights the threatened special character of an inner-city area in Birmingham.

Cool, funky and beautiful, as well as dusty and noisy, Digbeth is one of Britain’s most varied, dynamic and colourful inner-city areas. It is located just to the south-east of the sleek Bullring shopping centre but this is a place with a very different character, full of contrasts. It contains Birmingham’s oldest building as well as the large industrial complexes of household names such as Typhoo tea and Bird’s custard. The urban landscape is strikingly multi-layered, with canals crossing the river Rea and viaducts looming over roads. Former industrial buildings have been creatively repurposed or transformed into colourful canvases by graffiti and street artists. The area is greatly loved by many, who are attracted by its diverse character. >>

Left: Digbeth’s overlapping routes of railway, canals, river and streets, with Fazeley Street to the right. © Historic England Archive, Damian Grady, 33191_002

12 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 13 Masterplanning for Digbeth In the Regional office of Historic England there were greatly assisted in the overall masterplanning process first time, from local creative businesses, academics Arising from potential development pressure concerns that traditional approaches to the appraisal by emphasising that, whilst Digbeth’s urban fabric and residents which has given a fresh perspective. >> connected to the arrival of the High Speed 2 of historic areas, that tended to assign value based may be architecturally modest and quite late in date, (HS2) Terminus in the Curzon Street area of on architecturally polite styles and early date, were it is nevertheless highly significant in the context of Birmingham, the City Council produced an initial unlikely to adequately capture the essential nature the city as a whole, as an area which has retained the special interest here was masterplan and committed to the undertaking of of Digbeth. The perception was rather that the some continuity of industrial use. derived from very different and a conservation area review. As part of the latter, special interest here was derived from very different revised character appraisals and management and quite modest components all intertwined More recently, the principal landowners in Digbeth (the quite modest components all plans are being prepared for the Digbeth/Deritend with a vibrant range of creative uses that in Gooch Estate, Oval Real Estate and Homes England) intertwined with a vibrant range and Warwick Bar conservation areas. The City themselves helped to define the ‘place’. Architectural commissioned their own masterplan called ‘Digbeth of creative uses that in themselves Council also commissioned a further, more detailed Investigation staff were, therefore, commissioned Vision’. This has been informed by the Historic Area helped to define the ‘place’ Digbeth Masterplan. to produce a Historic Area Assessment and this has Assessment and a stakeholder meeting drawn, for the

Left: Location map showing the boundaries of the Historic Area Above: Gibb Street, the main route through the Custard factory Assessment and relevant designations (derived from OS mapping complex, a successful example of the reuse of historic buildings © Crown copyright [and database rights] 2020 OS 100024900; as studios, shops and workshops. © Historic England, James O additional information derived from Birmingham HER) Davies, DP195109

14 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 15 Above: The late 15th-century guildhall on Digbeth High Street. Top: The ‘banana warehouse’ (about 1850) and the Warwick & Bottom: Suki10c, the former Spotted Dog pub built as a ‘brew © Historic England Archive, James O Davies, DP195933 Birmingham Canal (1800). © Historic England, James O Davies, house’ in about 1810. © Historic England, James O Davies, DP195952 DP219838

What makes Digbeth special? of metalwork, and in 1538 the antiquary John Leland Digbeth’s history has been particularly shaped by described the approach through Deritend as inhabited transport infrastructure, including the river Rea, by ‘smithes and cuttelers’. the main road into Birmingham, the canals, and the railways. During the Middle Ages, Digbeth and its close Development focused largely on the High Street until neighbour Deritend were on one of the main approaches the late 18th century, when the arrival of the Digbeth to the medieval settlement, and ideally situated for branch of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, and the development, near the river but within close reach of the Warwick & Birmingham Canal prompted the development market place in the Bull Ring. The settlement straddled of the surrounding area. A grid of new streets was laid the approach road, with burgage plots laid out to the out between the canal routes and the earlier settlement north and south. Central Birmingham’s only intact along the High Street, including the main west-east medieval building, the former guildhall of the Guild of routes of Bordesley Street and Fazeley Street. This phase St John the Baptist, was built in the late 15th century. of development, of which the nightclub Suki10c (the Like the rest of Birmingham, the main local industries former Spotted Dog pub) is a rare survivor, contained a in the early modern period were related to all aspects mixture of domestic and industrial properties. >>

Central Birmingham’s only intact medieval building, the former guildhall of the Guild of St John the Baptist, was built in the late 15th century

16 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 17 Above: Duddeston Viaduct seen from Hack Street. © Historic Top: The former Typhoo tea packing works by Harry W. Weedon Bottom: The former gas retort house of 1909 off Adderley Street. England, James O Davies, DP195887 were built in several phases between 1929 and the 1960s. © Historic England, James O Davies, DP195945 © Historic England, James O Davies, DP195920

...three viaducts dominate the streetscape and vistas of Digbeth. One of them, now known as Duddeston Viaduct, was never actually used and remains unfinished to this day

The railways arrived in the mid-19th century and actually used and remains unfinished to this day. The added another layer of transport infrastructure, presence of the canals and railways brought industry including the Grade I-listed Curzon Street Station and businesses to the area, including gasworks and of 1838, as well as three viaducts which dominate warehouses but also later concerns such as the Typhoo the streetscape and vistas of Digbeth. One of them, tea packing works which in 1925 moved to a site now known as Duddeston Viaduct, was never in Bordesley Street with its own canal dock. >>

18 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 19 The post-war development was shaped by severe bomb 19th and 20th-century industrial buildings, which the character of the area is not only The authors damage and the subsequent ‘zoning’ of the area for provide a distinctive home for cultural and creative Pete Boland IHBC MCIfA industrial uses, which saw the demolition of housing in activity. Digbeth’s special character as a vibrant inner- determined by the built environment Historic Places Adviser with Historic England. the area and the displacement of the local population. city area which yet is on the fringe, with a significant but also by the people who live and The units built in the post-war period were generally industrial heritage, is partly recognised in the existing work here and their activities Pete worked as a local authority associated with Birmingham’s metal trades, but their designation of two conservation areas. However, the planning archaeologist and large open-plan spaces have proved ideal as flexible character of the area is not only determined by the conservation officer for over 25 space for newer industries. Today, many historic built environment but also to a large degree by the The impact of our research years and has for the past five buildings have found new uses; for example, a Victorian people who live and work here and their activities. Our research made the case for placing Digbeth’s special years been working for Historic Unitarian chapel in Fazeley Street and an adjacent Activities vary from street to street and between interest at the centre of the masterplanning exercises. It England in the West Midlands light industrial unit are now Fazeley Studios, home day and night-time, including those by residents, will also feed into the revision of the conservation area as a Historic Places Adviser. to numerous digital and creative businesses. Other workers, businesses, consumers, people who come appraisals, which the City Council proposes to adopt as buildings provide a home for Digbeth’s fast-changing here for entertainment, those who explore the area supplementary planning guidance. As the area evolves, Rebecca Lane music and art scene, and are decorated with often or are simply passing through. Many people are Historic England’s assessment and on-going advice will Senior Architectural Investigator startling street art and graffiti. keen to ensure that this varied and lively character, make the case for the history and character of Digbeth with Historic England. which has deep historic roots, survives the potentially which is already such a vital part of the cultural and Much of the area’s appeal is based on its unique substantial changes, including new residential social life of the area and which will be an important Rebecca worked in the commercial character, with its mixture of canals, viaducts, and developments, that HS2 may bring in its wake. asset for any future developments in the area n sector for six years as a buildings archaeologist, and latterly as a historic buildings consultant before joining the Architectural Investigation team at English Heritage (now Historic England) in 2010. She is currently responsible for a range of projects looking at Early Fabric in Historic Towns, and has recently drafted the new edition of Understanding Historic Buildings, a guide to good recording practice.

Johanna Roethe Architectural Investigator with Historic England.

Johanna joined Historic England in 2017 after working in the commercial sector for seven years. She has contributed to several historic area assessments, including for the Heritage Action Zones at Weston-super-Mare and Rochdale. She is one of the authors of the recent book on Weston-super-Mare in the Informed Conservation series.

Further information Bayer, O, Herring, P, Lane, R and Roethe, J 2018 Digbeth and Deritend, Birmingham, West Midlands: Outline Historic Area Assessment. Historic England The former Argyle Works in Great Barr Street, an unlisted factory built between 1937 and A metalworker in one of Digbeth’s workshops. Above: Above: Research Report Series 031-2018 1952, has been used as a performance venue by Birmingham Opera. © Historic England, James O © Historic England, James O Davies, DP219874 Davies, DP196448

20 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 21 Community engagement in the Elsecar Heritage Action Zone

Working with and for the community in a former South Yorkshire mining village. The grand façade of the Miners’ Lodging House (listed grade II) built by the 5th Earl c 1853, Fitzwilliam Street, Elsecar. © Historic England Archive, Alun Bull, DP175862

The former mining village of extending and sharing our Devised to serve industrial rather Elsecar in South Yorkshire was knowledge of Elsecar’s heritage. than agricultural needs, it stands one of the first ten places to apart from the rural villages created be awarded Heritage Action The Industrial ‘Estate Village’ by many of the Fitzwilliam’s Zone (HAZ) status by Historic Elsecar’s heritage is very significant aristocratic contemporaries. England in 2017. The project indeed, both at the local and Indeed, as a means to showcase was formed as a partnership national level. The village lies less the Earls’ enlightened political between Historic England and than a mile from the great country views and religious principles, Barnsley Metropolitan District house of Wentworth Woodhouse, it had more in common with Council, and its aim was to focus whose owners, notably the 2nd the emerging ‘model’ industrial expert advice, research and grant Marquis of Rockingham and the villages – such as New Lanark, aid on the task of safeguarding 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, took a direct and later Saltaire and Bourneville the village’s industrial heritage, interest in the development of – whose proprietors came from whilst developing opportunities local industries on their estates, lower social positions and were to maximise its potential for including a succession of coal often motivated by non-conformist economic growth and the greater mines and two major ironworks convictions. This aristocratic well-being of the local community. at Elsecar. patronage is clearly demonstrated A Historic Area Assessment in the architecture chosen for the of the entire village lay at the Throughout the late 18th and 19th purpose-built workers’ housing and heart of Historic England’s centuries this unusual level of the Central Workshops, built at the Elsecar’s schoolchildren gathered at research project, informed by a aristocratic patronage saw Elsecar heart of the village to consolidate the launch of the HAZ in 2017 © Scott number of specific archaeological developed as a unique variant all the services needed by the Bairstow (all permissions secured) investigations all aimed at of the traditional estate village. estate’s mines. >>

22 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 23 Nearby stands the only Newcomen engine in the world remaining within its Elsecar’s unique and valuable past plays a central, dynamic and successful role original engine house in its future

The workshops, together with the Railway in South Yorkshire, The conservation area which covers association between the village and personal expectations, and of Historic England. One crucial rolling mill of the adjacent Elsecar whose volunteers use a former the core of the village is similarly and Wentworth Woodhouse, but areas of deprivation. aim has been to bring the local Ironworks (which produced plate iron-casting house of the Elsecar due for reappraisal. the greatest change came with the community with us in this metal for the world’s first ironclad ironworks as a repair shop for closure of Elsecar Main in 1983. The HAZ programme was venture, which has been done in warship, HMS Warrior), now house its steam locomotives. The Elsecar’s decline Tremendous local efforts in the developed to help tackle this close partnership with Barnsley the Elsecar Heritage Centre. engine house is a recently revised The two ironworks, Elsecar and 1990s helped to preserve Elsecar’s situation by ensuring that an Council’s Museum Service, who scheduled monument. The Milton, closed in the 1880s, and proud industrial heritage and appreciation of Elsecar’s unique run the Elsecar Heritage Centre Nearby stands the only Newcomen workshops, the principal examples from that time onward the village’s create a viable visitor attraction, and valuable past plays a central, and are assisting community engine in the world remaining of workers’ housing and institutions fortunes were inextricably bound but profound effects of the collapse dynamic and successful role in its discussions on future development within its original engine house, provided by the Fitzwilliams are to the sole pursuit of coal, latterly of the mining industry here, as in future. This has been a vital step plans for the village. >> and beside that runs a restored listed, but all of these designations focused on Elsecar Main Colliery. many former mining communities, in a process that began with the section of the South Yorkshire have been subject to review as a Nationalisation after the Second still resonate in terms of low conservation of the Newcomen Railway, the only Heritage consequence of the new research. World War stripped away the employment, limited local services Engine in 2014, with the support

Left: The Newcomen engine, installed to pump water from Elsecar’s ‘New’ Colliery in 1795, remained in operation until 1923. The mechanism was brought back into operation (although no longer steam- powered) with assistance from English Heritage in 2014. The restored engine and the house are together designated as a scheduled monument. © Historic England

Above: Elsecar's Heritage Railway occupies the site of the former ironworks. Note the casting house in the distance and the rolling mill to the right. © Historic England Archive, Alun Bull, DP175855

24 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 25 Community engagement has been extensive and highly varied throughout the The work of our geophysical survey team was followed avidly in the field by three-year duration of the HAZ large parties of children from the local schools

Engaging with Elsecar guided walks conducted in twilight its industrial legacy. This brought the content of HE’s forthcoming Digging deeper avidly in the field by large parties Community engagement has and darkness which, although not our specialists into regular contact Historic Area Assessment report, Some of the most rewarding of children from the local schools, been extensive and highly varied without a few logistical problems, with residents and local historians which is important as the report areas of community engagement and they were even more closely throughout the three-year duration proved to be a highly evocative way who were curious to know what is intended to root Elsecar’s future led directly from our historical involved when we decided to probe of the HAZ. Public events to of explaining recent discoveries by we were about, and keen to share development in an understanding research. In the summer of 2017 the depths of the original 18th- explain the scope of the HAZ and HE’s research staff and others, and their memories and knowledge. of its historic significance, and the study of historic maps and century canal basin, which was showcase the results of various of re-imagining areas of industrial Specific ‘Making History’ events that significance must embody a records was followed up by a buried beneath railway sidings investigations attracted over 500 activity that have been swept away organised by Barnsley Museums wide spectrum of values reflecting programme of geophysical surveys around 1870. This provided 50 local people in the first year and and largely forgotten. delved further into local people’s the ways in which local people in search of evidence for apparently or so local children (and many nearly 800 in the second, and the memories and helped us to better and visitors experience Elsecar’s lost areas of industrial activity. of their parents) with a taste of messages have reached many more Our research teams were frequently understand how certain areas and heritage. These conversations have the excitement of archaeological through local radio, newspaper and to be found across Elsecar in workplaces functioned in the near also provided a wealth of engaging The work of our geophysical discovery, and inspired numerous social media coverage facilitated the first and second years of the past. These conversations, as well stories for a future Elsecar guide survey team – involving ground imaginative classroom activities by Barnsley Museums. Among project, investigating the evolution as more formal consultations with book. penetrating radar (GPR) and about what it was like to live and the more innovative events were of the village and significance of local historians, have informed other techniques - was followed work in the Elsecar of the past. >>

Left: Historic England deploying Ground Penentrating Radar in the Newcomen engine boiler yard in 2017. © Barnsley Museums.

Right: Children from Elsecar School learning about coring on the old canal basin with Reading University’s Geoarchaeological team. © Barnsley Museums (all permissions secured)

26 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 27 The success of community engagement at Elsecar has benefitted massively from the curiosity, knowledge, enthusiasm and pride of its residents

Above: Community excavation at Milton Ironworks 2018. © Barnsley Museums (all permissions secured)

Taking things one step further, from three different local schools members of local heritage societies encourage and focus local interest The author Further information our investigations helped to pin- and visited by over 360 people over such as the Friends of Hemingfield around new research, the improved David Went MCIfA FSA You can find out more about point areas suitable for community the two week period. The 2019 dig Colliery and the Elsecar Heritage understanding of the village and its Manager of Archaeological the Milton excavation project excavations in the summers of 2018 looked at the site of the Newcomen Railway (all largely orchestrated heritage, and the creation of future Survey & Investigation (North & on YouTube, via the ‘Great and 2019. The first, run by Barnsley engine’s boilers: a much smaller by the HAZ Project Officer), has development plans for Elsecar. East) with Historic England. Place’ scheme’s channel at Museums and ArcHeritage Ltd area which nonetheless involved proved to be utterly invaluable: Long-term success depends on the https://www.youtube.com/ with support from the ‘Wentworth 125 young people, engaged 40 each contribution multiplying the value that heritage professionals He joined watch?v=KWSVfnk0jaQ, and about and Elsecar Great Place’ project, volunteers in the excavation efforts of the others to extend the and local people together place on English the Newcomen yard excavation looked at the site of the former process, worked with 5 local artists project’s reach both locally and the historic environment arising Heritage in at https://www.youtube.com/ Milton Ironworks, built by Walkers (including music, drawing, textiles further afield. from their different perspectives. 1993, working watch?v=n6LiCYipKQ8 of Rotherham in 1795 and famous and ceramics) and attracted over Protection is not just the result first for the for the manufacture of iron bridges, 350 visitors over an 11-day period. In all over 2000 local people of formal legal instruments Monuments The Historic Area Assessment among many other things. Long have attended HAZ events, over but it is achieved through the Protection Programme and later report encapsulating the research after its demolition the area was The success of community 200 local volunteers have been understanding and appreciation of the Characterisation team, before project at Elsecar is due for landscaped for playing fields which engagement at Elsecar has directly involved in front-line everyone with a stake in the future joining the Research Department general release in February 2020 left few visible hints of its former benefitted massively from the research, and a further 1000 young of the place. In this regard the HAZ in 2007. His particular interests to coincide with events marking existence. The excavations found curiosity, knowledge, enthusiasm people from nearby Barnsley and project has helped to ensure that are Roman archaeology, the early the end of the 3-year HAZ. It will rare evidence for an early calcining and pride of its residents, as Rotherham have been able to Elsecar’s unique and important church and medieval landscapes. be available online at https:// (ore-roasting) kiln but that was not well as the steps that the HAZ engage in heritage-led activities. heritage is safeguarded for, and by, Current research includes the use research.historicengland.org.uk/ the only success. partners have taken to build local These figures speak volumes about its community for years to come n of drone photography for localised by searching the keyword ‘Elsecar’. interest. Partnership working the success of the community archaeological survey. Of equal importance, 100 members with Barnsley Council, further engagement and close partnership Acknowledgements The ‘Report on Geophysical of the community volunteered to collaboration with local schools, work that has been at the heart of Thanks to Dr Tegwen Roberts, Heritage Surveys, Elsecar, Barnsley’ (Linford Action Zone Officer, Barnsley Museums, for take part in the excavation, which university and commercial this project. What the HAZ has N, Lindford P and Payne A, 2017) advice in compiling this article. was assisted by 55 school children archaeologists, and support from done is to provide the impetus to is already available to download.

28 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 29 Heritage, place-making and co-operative connections in central Rochdale

New research is supporting the Heritage Action Zone initiative.

The ‘Co-operative Connections’ Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) programme launched in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in May 2018. A partnership between Historic England Rochdale Borough Council and a variety of local organisations, the HAZ focuses on the historic Drake Street leading from the railway station to the Town Hall and aims to revitalise one of the key gateways to the town centre, encourage investment into historic buildings, and significantly contribute to the town’s wider regeneration programme.

The HAZ area includes two conservation Some of the main challenges The 5-year HAZ programme includes strategies as a launch-pad for regeneration. Above: Annotated aerial areas: the Maclure Road Conservation building grants and an ambitious research, Historic Englands’s recent historic area photo showing the affecting the area include HAZ area (aerial photo: Area and the Rochdale Town Centre engagement and events programme and assessment of Rochdale’s town centre is one high vacancy rates and © Historic England Conservation Area, which is on Historic is framed by an interest in exploring and of the first completed projects. This article Archive, 33758_003; England’s Heritage at Risk Register. Some continuous loss of historic highlighting Rochdale’s co-operative heritage details some of the findings and puts them overlays: © Rochdale of the main challenges affecting the area built fabric and using co-operative place-making in the wider context of the initiative. >> Development Agency) include high vacancy rates and continuous loss of historic built fabric.

30 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 31 Left: Built for the Below: Drake Street Vavasour family in leads from the west 1708, 17 Yorkshire (top left) past the canal Street is one of the terminus site (centre oldest buildings in the left) to the town HAZ area. © Historic centre (centre right). England Archive, © Historic England James O. Davies, Archive, Damian Grady, DP248371 33758_046

Above: The remains of Central Rochdale’s character meaningful results, by placing the HAZ area Water Street Mill, an and significance in its historical context. early steam-powered Historic England’s guidance Understanding woollen mill, include an engine house of Place defines an historic area assessment as First mentioned in Domesday Book, the 1820s (far left). ‘a practical tool to understand and explain Rochdale started as a medieval market © Historic England the heritage interest of an area’. It is based town at the centre of a large parish Archive, James O. on archival research and fieldwork, which and developed into a woollen and later Davies, DP221867 at Rochdale also included a comprehensive cotton town. Trade and industry were photographic survey. The historic area dominated by several local families, such assessment provides an overview of the as the Vavasour family of merchants. history and development of an area, defines its character and significance, and highlights Between the 1540s and the 1790s, the any vulnerabilities. While the HAZ programme market place on the north side of the river in Rochdale focuses on a relatively small Roch was the commercial centre. However, and clearly defined area, the historic area in 1798 this was complemented by the assessment covers the wider town centre, basins and wharves of the Rochdale Canal including part of Yorkshire Street and the branch, which prompted the development of area surrounding the river Roch. Widening the glebe land on the south side of the river, the focus slightly was thought to yield more with Drake Street as a major new road. >>

The historic area assessment provides an overview of the history and development of an area, defines its character and significance, and highlights any vulnerabilities

32 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 33 Above right: 7-11 The problems of a rapidly expanding Centre in 1978 and The Wheatsheaf Oldham Road of industrial society contributed to the opening Centre in 1990) marked the first major 1864-5 is the earliest of the world’s first modern co-operative changes for the historic high streets. Such surviving purpose-built co-operative branch shop in 1844 by the Rochdale Society of changes in retail patterns have particularly store in Rochdale. Equitable Pioneers. They developed the affected businesses on Drake Street. © Historic England so-called ‘Rochdale Principles’, which Archive, Steven Baker, balanced mutuality and self-interest and Today, the character of central Rochdale is DP235562 gave workers the means of feeding their largely shaped by its historic road pattern, families and taking control of their lives. the topography of the river valley, the Purpose-built branch stores and other prevalent building materials (local stone co-operative societies soon followed. and red brick), and its ginnels (alleyways). Several building types are characteristic for During the Victorian and Edwardian central Rochdale and are of local, and in periods, Drake Street and Yorkshire some cases of national, significance: shops Street developed as the main high streets, and banks, co-operative buildings, the late- connecting the two commercial hubs Georgian buildings of the Drake Street area, of the canal terminus and the market. industrial buildings and workers’ housing. However, in the 20th century, the textile and engineering industries declined, The smaller buildings of artisanal industry, leading to the demolition of many including domestic workshops, are industrial buildings and the in-filling of particularly rare and vulnerable. These the canal terminus. The opening of two findings and the research captured as part large shopping centres on the north side of the historic area assessment will inform of the river (Rochdale Exchange Shopping the next phases of the HAZ programme. >>

Several building types are characteristic for central Rochdale and are of local, and in some cases of national, significance

Left: The late-Georgian house and workshop at 24 Baron Street are important survivors of the smaller-scale industries. © Historic England Archive, Steven Baker, DP235587

Right: The former Union Bank of Manchester of 1906-7. © Historic England Archive, James O. Davies, DP221832

34 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 35 Right: A mural by the artist Philth on the west elevation of the former Water Street Mill, whose white cotton bolls refer to the building’s and the town’s textile history. © Rochdale Development Agency

The HAZ programme culminated in the exhibition ‘Rochdale A central aim of the Rochdale HAZ is to Reimagined’ in the Rochdale Central revitalise Drake Street by encouraging Library and the publication of an a greater diversity of uses and using a accompanying catalogue of the same title. heritage-led approach to regeneration A large-scale mural festival called ‘Rochdale which is sensitive to context but also Uprising’ brought local and international innovative and community-led. The mural artists to the town who worked historic area assessment is a valuable to a brief created by Rochdale Council basis for a programme that enhances and in collaboration with the Co-operative protects heritage assets while supporting Heritage Trust and delivered 12 artworks the creation of high-quality contemporary highlighting Rochdale’s unique heritage. space. The success of residential conversions and small businesses taking The Council’s collaboration with the Co- over vacant properties depends on creating operative Heritage Trust is also central to and supporting a sense of place that a further HAZ project: Opening in early celebrates local heritage. 2020, a Co-operative Enterprise Hub in the former Butterworth Jewellers’ building will The first year of the HAZ programme provide an innovative community space for included a year-long collaboration with young people wanting to develop their own Manchester School of Architecture that co-operative businesses. >> Above: The former Butterworth’s Jewellery shop on Drake Street will be brought back into use as the HAZ’s Co-operative Enterprise Hub. © Historic England Archive, James O. Davies, DP221858

36 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 37 The authors Johanna Roethe Architectural Investigator with Historic England.

Johanna joined Historic England in 2017 after working in the commercial sector for seven years. She has contributed to several historic area assessments, including for the Heritage Action Zones at Weston-super- Mare and Rochdale. She is one of the authors of the recent book Weston-super- Mare: the town and its seaside heritage (Historic England, 2019).

Kaija-Luisa Kurik Heritage Action Zone Project Officer with Rochdale Development Agency.

Kaija-Luisa has been working as the Heritage Action Zone Project Officer in Rochdale Development Agency since 2018. She moved to the role from the Conservation and Design team in Rochdale Borough Council where she contributed to variety of masterplans and conservation area appraisals as well town centre regeneration projects. She is a final year PhD student at The first-year building grants programme Laying the foundations for areas. Reviews of the national and local Above left: The newly- the Manchester School of Architecture. focuses especially on historic shops in The Rochdale further work designations are currently underway, listed Rochdale Bridge has medieval origins South Parade and the northern part of The Rochdale HAZ has the potential to using the information provided by Further information HAZ has the but was widened on Drake Street. This aims to link the HAZ deliver lasting benefits for the area by the historic area assessment. The first several occasions. Roethe, J and Williams, M 2019 Central area to the river crossing, which was potential to improving the condition of the historic outcome of this process is the listing of The Victorian town Rochdale, Greater Manchester: Historic recently the focus of an award-winning deliver lasting built environment and bringing empty the historic Rochdale Bridge at Grade II. hall is visible beyond. Area Assessment (Historic England © Historic England restoration project, and the new Riverside buildings back into use, and thereby Report Series 56/2019) benefits for Archive, James O. cinema and shopping centre development, the area changing perceptions of the town centre. While the initial research is a key part of the Davies, DP221862 which will open in 2020. This building The research component is a fundamental programme, the collaborative and heritage- Historic England 2017 Understanding frontage and shop front reinstatement part of the early phases of delivering this, led approach of the HAZ will provide many Place: Historic Area Assessments scheme will be complemented by public by highlighting the area’s special character further tangible benefits for the local (Historic England website) realm works. Additionally, a number and the significance of its heritage assets, community over the next few years n of residential conversions of historic and by providing an evidence base for the buildings are underway in the HAZ area. future management of the two conservation

38 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 39 Whilst use of the term ‘high street’ can be traced (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/ back several centuries, the development of sep/11/retailers-call-for-action-as-high-street- high streets, as we would now recognise them, store-closures-soar) and the fall in retail employment Researching High coincided with more people living in urban areas, (https://brc.org.uk/retail-insight-analytics/other- and the provision of shops and market stalls kpis/retail-employment-monitor/reports). The reality, serving a wider, and growing, population. however, is that these places have always provided their communities with more than this and so preparing However, as these streets developed they offered more their obituary on the back of falling retail is premature. Streets Heritage than the opportunity to buy goods and became places where people congregated, seeing shopping as a leisure High Streets as ‘experience’ pursuit (English Shops and Shopping, Kathryn A. Recent evidence points to successful high streets being Morrison, 2003). In the 1960s, cheaper manufacturing places where people enjoy spending time, not just processes and the rise of ‘disposable culture’, meant money. See, for example Making sense of mixed use Action Zones that retail became increasingly important to what town centres, Turley, 2019; High streets and town high streets offered the communities they served. It centres in 2030, Housing Communities and Local is therefore not surprising that high streets remain Government Select Committee, 2019; and The Deloitte How research is adding value to the defined by their retail offer and the narrative of their Consumer Review: Reinventing the role of the high regeneration of historic high streets. ‘death’ is one that uses evidence of shop closures street, 2013). >>

Recent evidence points to successful high streets being places where people enjoy spending time, not just money

Left: High Street Heritage Action Zone. Bedford, Bedfordshire. North end of High Street, Historic England Archive, Patricia Payne, DP261578 Right: Derby City Centre, the Strand, Historic England Archive, Patricia Payne, DP187421

40 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 41 While the failure of a number of significant high street With funding from central government, High Streets understanding and regenerating historic buildings The role of research in High Street Heritage brands has been well reported, not every enterprise is Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ), the programme on the high street, along with investing in the public Action Zones seeing the same level of decline. The success of some developed and managed by Historic England, will realm, restoring local character and supporting the Central to the HSHAZ programme is the targeted stores, in particular those whose activities that cannot see £92m invested into 69 high streets in England features that help make these places unique and research that Historic England will be carrying out be replicated online (barbers, independent coffee shops, (with an additional £3m from the National Lottery attractive for residents and visitors alike. Success where the history and evolution of the High Street as etc.) suggest grounds for optimism for those high streets Heritage Fund). As high streets become more about the of the programme will not just be measured in it stands is poorly understood or underappreciated. that are able to offer what is being called ‘experiential ‘experience’ and less about simply buying and selling, terms of historic fabric restored, but in the impact This will build on the success of integrating research retail’. This refers to a place providing more than just a the quality of the environment and its contribution it has on the economic, social and cultural well- into the current Heritage Action Zones, which has location for buying and selling goods. To quote the House to that ‘experience’ becomes more important. The being of the place and the people who use it. provided research to underpin proposals for change, of Commons Briefing Paper, Retail Sector in the UK: HSHAZ programme will see investment focused on and to link into wider cultural programmes to raise people’s awareness and appreciation of the history of “…increasingly, what attracts people to the town their local areas. centre…is no longer just the shops (which have often been substituted by online vendors), but As part of the HSHAZ programme, Historic England is rather the leisure facilities that they can access Below: The Burges Conservation Area in Coventry city centre, making use of a ‘demonstrator’ project, The Burges in there, such as cafes, restaurants, cinemas and © Historic England Archive, James O. Davies, DP249153 Coventry. By beginning work in The Burges, Historic children’s activities” England is able to use it to inform the development of the other HSHAZs. This early start to the work in The Burges Research undertaken on behalf of the Mayor of means that we are able to highlight the positive link that London in 2017 found that “45% of surveyed users’ exists between applied research and regeneration projects primary high street use was non-retail related” and and use that to influence other historic high streets. that “High streets are important gathering spaces for marginalised and under-represented groups” For the ‘demonstrator’ project £1.9m has been allocated https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/ by Historic England, to the Historic Coventry Trust, high_streets_for_all_report_web_final.pdf. High working in conjunction with Coventry City Council and streets are one of the few places where all people Coventry Business Improvement District to regenerate are able congregate and mix and that makes them The Burges Conservation Area in the city centre. This incredibly important, not just for local economies, has also included a programme of research designed to but also for local social cohesion and well-being. highlight the early origins of the street, which are not immediately apparent from the surviving shop frontages. What is the future for our high streets? High streets are evolving. Online shopping and out- of-town retail mean that they need to offer people The Burges represents a surviving something different to what they did in the latter part of section of one of the historic routes

the 20 th century. Whilst that ‘offer’ will vary in different into the city places (what works for Hastings might not work for Blackpool), we can see demand for retail falling and an emphasis on personalised offers to customers, providing The Burges represents a surviving section of one of the goods and services that can’t be got elsewhere. (https:// historic routes into the city, and now provides one of www.raconteur.net/retail/high-street-independent) the main gateways into the commercial heart of the city from the north. With adjoining Hales Street it forms a small conservation area, focused on the eastern side of Online shopping and out-of-town The Burges, which is lined with an assortment of shop retail mean that high streets need to fronts mostly dating from the 20th century. Behind offer people something different to these facades however the buildings range in date from the 18th to 19th centuries, and some have earlier what they did in the latter part of the origins with 17th-century timber-framed sections 20th century visible from Palmer Lane to the rear. >>

42 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 43 23 The Burges: Godiva Tailoring Number 23 was also known as Palmer House due to the alleyway which leads to Palmer Lane, one of the oldest streets in Coventry. A number of alleyways linked The Burges to Palmer Lane and small ‘court’ buildings.

In 1861 the building was occupied by a tailor named John Sutton and his family. Although it has seen a number of uses including as a tobacconist, confectioners, and boot makers, the building has now returned to use as a tailors. Top photo taken in 2017 © Historic England Above image reproduced by kind permission of Culture Coventry Trust/ Coventry Archives, taken in about 1934 [1434-26-75]

Above: An example of a poster displayed in a local shop as part of the project. © Historic England

In support of the work of the Historic Coventry Trust, allowed the creation of a timeline of the owners and Architectural Investigators at Historic England have occupants of each property on the street – providing been researching the history of these buildings and an insight into the shops and trades that characterised undertaking a small Historic Area Assessment, to Coventry in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including inform the proposed conservation work and to help tailors, drapers, butchers, jewellers and watch makers. promote the heritage of the area. For the Heritage Open With the support of Historic England’s photography and Days in September 2019 a walking tour leaflet was graphics team, these have been used to create posters produced which was available throughout the weekend, which have been hung in each shop window, telling the in conjunction with guided tours by the Coventry story of each property over the past few centuries. >> Society. Research into individual buildings has also

Research into individual buildings has also allowed the creation of a timeline of the owners and occupants of each property on the street Above: This 1930s photograph of Palmer Lane was one of those included in posters displayed in local shops. © Coventry Archives, PA2465_15

44 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 45 This work has provided a valuable tool for the Historic Rebecca Lane Coventry Trust to engage the general public in the area, Senior Architectural Investigator and also in providing interest and information for the with Historic England. shop owners and tenants in the streets today. The tenants of 23 The Burges, now operating as Godiva Rebecca worked in the commercial Tailoring, were thrilled to learn that their shop had in sector for six years as a buildings fact been a tailors in the late 19th century – providing archaeologist, and latterly as a an important connection between the shop as it is today historic buildings consultant before and its occupants 150 years ago. This work is therefore joining the Architectural already making both residents and visitors more Investigation team at English aware of the history of The Burges, an appreciation Heritage (now Historic England) in 2010. She is which will serve both to support conservation of the currently responsible for a range of projects looking at historic fabric of the area, and its economic viability. Early Fabric in Historic Towns, and has recently drafted The research products of this demonstrator project the new edition of Understanding Historic Buildings, a will also form a template for similar work in selected guide to good recording practice. other High Streets as part of the wider project. Aimee Henderson The High Street scheme is focused on providing a Architectural Investigator sustainable future for the area, but in doing so it is with Historic England. illuminating to reach back into the past, to reveal generations of owners and occupants, identify the Aimee started her career in a alterations, small or large, that they made to the conservation workshop; conserving buildings, and the wider changes they would have and repairing large-scale museum witnessed around them. These are common threads in objects, sculptures and architectural the evolution of an area to which we can all relate n features, before becoming a Heritage Consultant for a large The authors architectural practice. She joined Historic England in Owain Lloyd-James MCIfA 2017 as part of the Heritage at Risk team in the West Head of Places Strategy with Historic England. Midlands, and has recently moved into a new role as an Architectural Investigator. Her first project has been to Owain is the strategic lead for the undertake historic research and building analysis of The High Streets Heritage Action Zones Burges in Coventry, as well as supporting Heritage at programme, the £95m fund aimed Risk Projects through research and investigation in at regenerating historic high streets order to enhance our understanding of a number of in England. He is also responsible buildings on the HAR Register. for implementing Historic England’s Places Strategy. He started his professional life as an archaeologist, after which he worked for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport working largely on policy related to portable cultural property. Since joining English Heritage (now Historic England) in 2007, he has been responsible for the co-ordination and development of work with local government and national infrastructure, and undertaking research looking at the impact of development on the historic environment.

Above: The frontage of Godiva Tailoring at 23 The Burges, Coventry. © Historic England Archive, James O. Davies, DP248442

46 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 47 London’s iconic landmarks are set amid a wealth of characterful neighbourhoods © Historic England Archive, Damian Grady, 33088_006 Sustaining London’s vibrant historic places

Helping London’s historic character build its fascinating future localities.

48 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 49 As London accommodates growing and add new contributions to their inherited transformations of London’s traditional development policies to the historical pressures for change, Historic England is local places to meet their purposes. neighbourhoods more incrementally context of places earmarked for change. helping ensure its emerging new places developed over many generations. retain their historic identity. Resolving tensions of scale National planning policies – such as the However London’s economic success as That research highlighted the need to National Planning Policy Framework (2012 London is an energetic, cosmopolitan a global city and its needs to resolve such accommodate the city’s growth and and later 2018) and the Govt’s Planning and distinctive city, a major cultural and social issues as ensuring adequate housing development with greater respect to Practice Guidance- have similarly asserted economic player on the world stage. provision for its population have produced those neighbourhoods’ existing character the key planning roles of local character and a scale and intensity of development if we are to retain the historically- distinctiveness in sustainable development For those experiencing London, whether pressures across Greater London that rooted identity that makes London and the important contributions made by in their everyday lives or on visits, much of transcend effective management by such a fascinating, distinctive complex the historic environment to local character, that valued distinctiveness is framed by its forward planning at purely local levels. of local places in which people want echoed also in the 2016 Culture White uniquely characterful neighbourhoods, the to build their lives and businesses. Paper and 2017 Heritage Statement. But outcomes of its people’s interactions with Research commissioned by Historic the issue remains: the need to sustain local places they’ve inherited through time, using England on London’s local character The Greater London Authority’s (GLA) character and the heritage underpinning it and modifying them to fulfil their own and density by consultants Allies and Supplementary Planning Guidance ‘Shaping form major threads in the developing draft needs, styles and aspirations. Morrison showed how, in recent decades, Neighbourhoods: character and context’ of the new London Plan. >> the overarching scale of those pressures responded in 2014 to earlier concerns We stand in that continuum as today’s and planning policies designed to address about impacts on local distinctiveness from culturally diverse generations use, adapt them are producing rapid and substantial insensitive application of London’s strategic

Left: Bermondsey’s present character reflects fortunes and traumas in its eventful past. © Historic England Archive, Damian Grady, 33086_005

Right: Historic warehouses give the Bermondsey Street Festival a unique setting. © Historic England Archive, Chris Redgrave, DP232620

50 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 51 Addressing inconsistencies London. The GLA’s ‘London Housing Top right: Hanway Despite this raised profile for the roles of Strategy’ 2018 describes far-reaching Street’s older frontages offer historic local character, Greater London measures to address that, with its engaging contrasts lacks a consistent overall assessment implementation required to accord with with nearby Oxford of its historic character to underpin GLA policy on ‘London’s form, character Street. © Historic planning and development roles. and capacity for growth’ to promote well- England Archive, Chris Redgrave, DP165586 designed future places across London. In Characterisation studies use a rapid response, London’s ‘Homebuilding Capacity broad brush approach to capture the Fund’ invited bids for Borough-wide distinct patterns and features charting characterisations that will enable due regard the historic development and changing to the capacity and sensitivity of places to uses of a whole area. accommodate changes in housing density taking into account, amongst other aspects, In 2016, to inform the GLA’s review their ‘historical evolution and heritage assets of the London Plan, Historic England (including assessment of their significance commissioned Land Use Consultants (LUC) and contribution to local character)’. to examine how far London’s historic environment had been characterised and Developing a common language how this was being applied in planning, GLA guidance will underpin these notably in linking local character and characterisations’ approach. Additionally significance to strategic planning. Their to promote their consistency and ability to report found over half of Boroughs had inform both Borough and strategic-level characterisation studies in place, with understandings of London’s character, widely varying influence on Local Plans’ Historic England has commissioned LUC to development management policies. build on their earlier research by compiling However their diversity of approach and a thesaurus of historic character terms and Botton right: Brixton’s lack of context beyond their Borough their meanings, relevant to a fine-grained bustling Electric Avenue, among the produce substantial inconsistencies and characterisation of Greater London’s first streets with inward-looking perspectives that work historic environment. electric lighting. against strategic overviews of Greater © Historic England London’s character or assessment of The ‘London’s Historic Character Thesaurus’ Archive, Chris Redgrave, DP183522 how far a Borough’s character reflects will allow Borough characterisations all London’s broader development. to use a common language, enabling the GLA to assess and monitor consistently the Particular urgency to overcome these application of its design-led approach to limitations arises from needs to accelerate new residential development sites across delivery of affordable new homes across Greater London. >>

Despite this raised profile for the roles of historic local character, Greater London lacks a consistent overall assessment of its historic character to underpin planning and development roles

52 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 53 Broader roles for urban in shaping sustainable new places whose Left: Langham Street, Right: Continuity with Our latest initiative for a UAD in Westminster England’s initiative with local partners historic character vibrancy, identity and distinctiveness can varied rooflines fine-grained change and Whitehall will explore time-depth to kick-start regeneration and renewal in and frontages in adds interest in Scala LUC’s work is in progress but the rest on strong contributions from their characterisation of this complex urban area heritage-rich places facing challenges from London’s Fitzrovia Street/ Whitfield Steet, Thesaurus and the characterisations historic cultural narratives. district. © Historic Camden. © Historic helping to bring the disciplines of archaeology neglect and economic decline. Recently it informs have roles wider than the England Archive, Chris England Archive, Derek and built heritage closer together. extended to 69 of England’s high streets, immediate context of alleviating London’s Historic England’s engagement with this Redgrave, DP177575 Kendall, DP134690 HAZs celebrate their places’ unique shortage of new homes. The London Plan’s work builds on its long-standing advisory Historic England’s engagement also draws character and heritage, helping rebuild a 2019 draft comments: ‘as change is a roles on London’s historic environment. on extensive national experience from sense of local pride. >> fundamental characteristic of London, Historic England operates the Historic the Historic Landscape Characterisation respecting character and accommodating Environment Record for Greater London (HLC) of the former metropolitan counties change should not be seen as mutually and, as part of its enhancement, we have and Extensive Urban Survey (EUS) of HAZs celebrate their places' exclusive’. By providing a consistent commissioned Urban Archaeological smaller towns and cities across England. unique character and heritage, common language for historic character Database (UAD) Projects akin to those That experience now finds application in helping rebuild a sense of across all of London, Historic England carried out in other historic cities. bringing character-based understanding gives that character a more effective voice to Heritage Action Zones (HAZs), Historic local pride

54 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 55 Place, people and sustainability When recognising our familiar local places Above left: Tottenham Above right: Sutton’s The author Land Use Consultants 2016 London Plan London’s local places, as elsewhere, as distinctive, part of our own identity joins High Road’s character Heritage Action Zone Dave Hooley MCIfA Review. Project No. 3: Characterisation of is central to its uses distinctiveness as encompass far more than their buildings’ with the thoughts and actions of people Senior Archaeological Investigator London’s historic environment. Report for diverse communities’ a regeneration asset. materiality, important though that is. who have previously made use of these identities. © Historic © Historic England with Historic England. Historic England, available at: https:// They are about areas and how people same areas. Historical sustainability for our England Archive, Chris Archive, Damian historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/ perceive them. Their unique patterns of thriving city means recognising we too can Redgrave, DP262553 Grady, 33091_034 Dave has for many get-involved/luc-characterisation-london- age, design, form, scale, public space and add our contributions that accommodate years worked with historic-environment-final-report-pdf/ thoroughfares conflate successive narratives our needs and hopes while still passing colleagues and partner of past people’s daily lives, hopes and fears, on historically distinctive places to future organisations developing Mayor of London 2014 Character and struggles won and lost, whether from generations n and applying approaches Context. Supplementary Planning recent post-war decades or reaching back to characterising the Guidance. London: City Hall, available at: into London’s earlier phases. Some places Acknowledgements historic dimension of England’s present https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/ now celebrated for their rich heritage have The author wishes to thank Sandy Kidd for his landscape and seascape. He now works in planning/implementing-london-plan/ input on the Westminster and Whitehall UAD. previously suffered economic decline; Historic England’s Archaeological Survey planning-guidance-and-practice-notes/ others await realisation of their potential. and Investigation Team. character-and-context Far from being a blank canvas, they are our historic cultural context. Further information For more information on Historic Allies and Morrison 2016 London’s Landscape Characterisation: https:// Local Character and Density. Report for historicengland.org.uk/research/ Far from being a blank canvas, local places are our historic Historic England, available at: https:// methods/characterisation-2/historic- cultural context historicengland.org.uk/get-involved/ landscape-characterisation/ protect/keep-it-london/

56 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 57 Community involvement in a research strategy for the Yorkshire Wolds.

In 2018 Historic England commissioned the York Archaeological Trust to carry out Food for the ‘Food for Thought’ project to help us explore the story of the Yorkshire Wolds in the East Riding of Yorkshire and to create a research strategy. Principal Inspector Neil Redfern shares his experience of the interaction with thought the community that formed an important part of this project. >>

The Wolds in winter. Thixendale runs away between the tops. © Historic England Archive, Dave Went, 34098_066 31-JAN-2018

58 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 59 few people outside the area know about the Wold’s wealth of archaeological monuments and historic landscapes

What matters in the Driving along the tops of the Wolds, But it is also testing new ideas. Yorkshire Wolds? across the open landscapes beloved of These include a focus on sample As landscape the Yorkshire Wolds David Hockney, you are confronted areas reflecting different aspects of is outstanding for its quality and by a picture dominated by highly settlement and land use across the richness in archaeological sites and productive, quite featureless arable Wolds, from the coastal peninsula heritage assets which provide us the fields. But great linear earthworks, at Flamborough to the great estates means to understand how countless ancient churches and historic and larger settlements of the generations have lived and farmed estates lie only slightly out of view interior and southern fringe. the area over thousands of years. in the valleys and underneath the wooded slopes. Many more highly These areas lie at the heart of a What they have left behind are not significant archaeological sites are broad conversation about the past just fantastic archaeological sites - ploughed down and even harder and future of the Wolds involving Neolithic cursus monuments, Iron to appreciate. These are now only not just those with an established Age square barrows and chariot visible to the informed eye as faint interest, but anyone, local or visitor, burials, Anglian cemeteries, and undulations or strange patterns in drawn to ‘Food for Thought’ events, Above: Hidden heritage: one of a myriad deserted medieval villages like the ripening crops, best appreciated workshops, market-place stands complex Wolds cropmarks recorded from Wharram Percy, to name but a few from the air. and pop-up museums. the air. © Historic England Archive, Emma Trevarthen, 34030_023 05-JUL-2018 – but also great estates, historic houses, model farms, designed Research frameworks and The Food for Thought project has gardens and parklands. The quality local communities as its aim the creation of a vision for of these sites and places can Historic England has long the wider heritage of the Wolds, for compete with any in Britain for supported the development the whole community as well as for their impact and importance. of regional and local research the specialist archaeological sector. frameworks, designed to pool A number of innovative approaches Curiously, however, despite more knowledge and define priorities have been adopted to create this than a century of archaeological for future investigation, whether vision and make it accessible to a discoveries by local luminaries, by universities, commercial range of audiences. This includes national bodies and universities, archaeological units, Historic its development as one of a small few people outside the area England or community groups. number of pioneer online wiki know about the Wold’s wealth of systems which Historic England is archaeological monuments and The Yorkshire Wolds project has currently helping to develop. These historic landscapes, and fewer still this aspect at its core, and it is will make frameworks much more visit them. The cultural heritage of currently gathering and analysing accessible and easy to find, allowing the Wolds is relatively untapped information in order to provide them to be managed and updated and has yet to contribute its full a robust model of our current by their own research communities potential to the tourism and rural understanding and key questions and thereby kept relevant and economies of the area. for future research and engagement. sustainable into the future. >> Left: The Rudston Monolith, a very visible Wolds monument set amidst a sea of prehistoric cropmarks. © Dave Went

60 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 61 Food for Thought: a new Left top: Community action: a ‘Food for Left bottom: Word-cloud from an early Right top: A treasure trove of Grimston Right bottom: Aerial view of an Inspirational archaeology strategy for the Wolds Thought’ conversation with the people ‘Food for Thought’ workshop at Driffield finds, and of stories woven around excavation undertaken by volunteer and heritage In developing the Food for Thought of Driffield. © York Archaeological Trust, in 2018, dominated by ‘chips’ and them. High Wolds Heritage Group and groups at Hanging Grimston in 2019. As part of this conversation the project we are trying to understand Jennifer Jackson ‘landscape’. Thixendale Art Group. © Neil Redfern © Historic England, Dave Went project held its first public meeting where best to focus activity and in June 2018. This is when I first resources to develop the rich heritage came into contact with the work of of this unique landscape. But we the Thixendale Art Group and their also want this work to go beyond a work with the High Wolds Heritage discussion amongst experts. We want Group at Hanging Grimston. One it to be a much wider conversation group had followed in the footsteps about what we know and understand of the other. The High Wolds about the archaeology and heritage Group was busy partnering the of the Wolds, and how this relates Scarborough Archaeological and to the present-day population. Historical Society in excavating We want to know how we a deserted medieval settlement might collectively shape future on the western side of the investigation and reveal the stories Wolds overlooking the Vale of locked up in the landscape and the York. The Art Group, from an lives of those who shaped it. adjacent valley (many of whose members also participated in Through an open conversation we the dig), took inspiration from are seeking to understand what it their discoveries to fuel their means to those who live, work and own visions of what the dig had visit this fascinating landscape. We revealed about the Wolds landscape want as many people as possible to and the lives lived within it. be part of this discussion. We want to explore what people want to know What I saw and the conversations about this landscape and how I subsequently had both inspired communities and specialists can me and underpinned how I now work together to unlock its potential. talk about role and impact of archaeology, heritage and art, A common thread to the story of the locally and nationally. To me Wolds is the production of food and archaeology is a process and not a its central role in shaping the thing or a product. The stuff in the appearance and identity of the Wolds. ground is just stuff in the ground Hence the name ‘Food for Thought’: until we dig it up, give it a different a link between populations past value and call it ‘archaeology’. But and present, between the lost who gives it that value, and how, arrowheads of early Neolithic is not be limited to archaeologists hunters, the medieval sheep walks, or heritage professionals. >> the immense fields created since the 1970s, the resurgence of farmers’ markets and the artisan food fairs of the present day.

We want to explore what people want to know about this landscape and how What I saw... inspired me and underpinned how I now talk about role and communities and specialists can work together to unlock its potential impact of archaeology, heritage and art, locally and nationally

62 historic england research winter 2019-20 winter 2019-20 historic england research 63 anyone can participate in illuminating the past, help to define it, shape it and Heritage and archaeology are about inquisitiveness and curiosity, but also, make it more meaningful and brilliant crucially, about creativity

In the children’s cartoon movie At Hanging Grimston the artists Heritage and archaeology are about Manchester, and has over 22 years’ ‘Ratatouille’ award winning Chef became the archaeologists and the inquisitiveness and curiosity, but experience of cultural heritage Gusteau maintains that ‘anyone archaeological product changed into also, crucially, about creativity – the management, archaeological can cook’, but food critic Anton Ego something far more meaningful, passion to apply what we learn so fieldwork, survey and assessment pours scorn on this view. Until, creative and inspirational, in the that others might draw meaning and museum practice working for that is, he is cooked a meal by Chef process changing the perspectives and inspiration from it n English Heritage, the Cambridge Remy – a rat! – leading him to the of the professional archaeologists Archaeological Unit, the Council for realisation that what Gusteau said involved (including me). Acknowledgements British Archaeology and the was true, and furthermore that There also seems to be a more Thanks to Dave Went (Archaeological Wordsworth Trust. He is Investigations Manager, North), and Daniel ‘whilst not everyone can become fundamental shift in how we as particularly interested in the Miles(, Research Resources Adviser) for their a great artist, a great artist might heritage or archaeological experts advice in compiling this article. practical and philosophical come from anywhere’. To me this operate. For me, heritage is a challenges of conservation and how is a good analogy for archaeology collaborative process that needs we work with the wider communities and heritage. I would add my own different ways of knowing and doing. The author to better understand how we perspective and interpretation: Formal research-based knowledge Neil Redfern M.Phil. articulate and discuss the meaning whilst not everyone might become a is an important part, but only one Principal Inspector of Ancient and values we all attach to places. professional or expert archaeologist, part of the recipe to return once Monuments and Development anyone can participate in again to the cooking metaphor. Advice Team Leader Yorkshire. Further information illuminating the past, help to You can see more about the ‘Food define it, shape it and make it more More than that, doing it Neil has for Thought’ project, including meaningful and brilliant. collaboratively with people means worked for Neil’s views on the Wolds landscape heritage is different, richer, more Historic captured on video, at https:// This is what the work of the art dynamic, more sustainable and England in www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/case- and heritage groups have done. more widely relevant. That is what York for 18 studies-blog/food-for-thought Indeed carrying the analogy of the the work at Hanging Grimston Years and is movie further, not only was the chef and the art produced from it responsible for the delivery of different but the food was too. Who illustrates to me, and what we Historic England’s statutory advice did the cooking changed and so did are trying to capture with our in Yorkshire. A graduate of the the content of what was cooked. work on the Yorkshire Wolds. universities of Cambridge and

Above: Drawing on the past: a display of artworks created by the High Wolds Heritage Group and Thixendale Art Group. © Neil Redfern

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