d:\533565037.doc COTSWOLDS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT (REVISED) VISION (This is where we want to be in 20 years time)1 “The Cotswolds AONB is a place where, in the context of a coherent and sustainably managed historic landscape, the significance of the archaeology, distinctive settlements, vernacular buildings and landscape features is understood and valued. Change is accommodated in a way which conserves and enhances these special features.” DESCRIPTION Within the Cotswolds AONB there is an enormous breadth of historic resources – ranging from pre-historic remains to listed buildings and parts of the City of Bath World Heritage Site; they include landscape features derived from the past and features of our cultural heritage. These resources are an essential element of the natural beauty of the area. Information on the historic environment is held in Historic Environment Records (HERs) maintained by the county and unitary councils. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the responsibility of district and unitary councils. Some archaeological sites of national importance are Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs). These are administered through English Heritage. Currently much archaeological work is reactive, carried out in response to specific development proposals and designed to assess the potential risk of damage from each proposal. The AONB designation recognises the importance of this heritage and reinforces the need to protect and manage characteristic features. The protection and conservation of buildings and settlements is largely administered through planning legislation and regulations, but there are many aspects of this heritage that can be influenced by this Management Plan. Local distinctiveness The former Cotswolds AONB Partnership commissioned Latham Architects of Derby in 2002 to research local distinctiveness and landscape change. The aim of the study was to assist understanding of what it is that makes the Cotswolds AONB different from other parts of the country, with particular reference to the built environment. The study reported in October 2003. It emphasised that “distinctiveness is essentially about the nature of the landscape, as defined and understood in its broadest sense. The built environment and its elements are part of the landscape and cannot be considered in isolation from its characterisation. Their contribution to local distinctiveness must be understood in the context of the landscape character types...” The report states that local distinctiveness of the built environment can be categorised in terms of the following key themes: Settlement: The importance of the internal and external form of the various types of settlement found within the AONB (market towns, compact villages, etc) is examined in relation to where they are located in the landscape (eg valley bottom, hillside). Definite links between the type of settlement form and physical location of the eight types of settlement within different landscape character types are shown. Boundaries: 1 Explanations of headings (in italics) are taken from the Countryside Agency Guidance for the review of AONB Management Plans d:\533565037.doc This includes the dry stone walls, hedges and other types of boundary that sub-divide the landscape, whether they occur within settlements, parkland or farmland. The approximate distribution of dry stone walls and hedges in the landscape were identified. Roofs and walls: Roofs and walls are elements that play the greatest part in defining the distinctive appearance of buildings within the AONB. The distribution over the AONB of different types of roof covering and various types of walling was examined. The historical importance of quarrying in defining the character of the area is emphasised. Special features There are many special aspects of historic environment throughout the Cotswolds AONB, including high-quality archaeological sites and other landscape features, such as: • Prehistoric sites such as Neolithic barrows – Hetty Pegler’s Tump, Nympsfield and Belas Knap and Lugbury • Iron Age hill forts, such as Painswick Beacon, Crickley Hill and Old Sodbury • Mediaeval sites, such as planned towns and deserted villages • Roman sites, especially villas and roads (with major towns just outside the AONB) • Saxon origins in the grouping of farmsteads and many place names • Commons on the edge of the escarpment, such as Minchinhampton and Cleeve Common, which have not been affected by modern agricultural practices • Stone circles, such as the Rollright Stones henges, such as at Condicote • Classic geological sites • The form of settlements integrated with their landscape settings • Distinctive unconverted barns, particularly with their characteristic roofscapes • Field systems, hedges and old pollard trees, roads, trackways, and droving routes • Extensive traditional dry stone walls and features such as sheep washes, stone stiles and dew ponds • Many listed buildings of traditional stone in the streets of Cotswold market towns and villages • Historic parks and gardens • Mediaeval ‘wool’ churches. FORCES FOR CHANGE (new issues in italics HK1: Recording and access to information Better recording of heritage resources is required using modern technology, including LIDAR surveys. This would assist in avoiding damage to hidden archaeological sites and features. Historic Environment Records (HERs) are key sources, which need adequate resources. Limited resources have led to a cessation of the Monuments Protection Programme by English Heritage. This has delayed designation and statutory protection of new monuments and their settings; it particularly affects the recording of valuable Roman remains. Awareness of sources of information on archaeological resources is limited. There is a need to promote better awareness of HERs as a key source (while acknowledging that these often record some types of heritage better than others, so other sources should also be used). Understanding needs to be raised, particularly amongst landowners and managers. This should assist in tackling a current lack of proactive management and loss of the resource. Local authorities are encouraged to produce local lists of non designated buildings and sites of local interest. HK2: Land use management Arable farming on shallow Cotswold soils is a key issue because repeated ploughing, particularly deep ploughing by powerful machinery, can seriously affect large numbers of archaeological sites. Increased reliance on contractors without intimate knowledge of the fields they are ploughing can accentuate such problems. Development of scrub results from lack of grazing. This can mean that archaeological sites become harder to recognise when overgrown and are prone to severe damage if trees or shrubs establish themselves. Overgrazing, on the other hand, can result in erosion. Loss of ridge and furrow and permanent pasture to ploughing are undesirable impacts of continued changes and diversification in agriculture. Organic farming is a desirable practice but this should not be at the expense of ploughing up areas of permanent grassland because of their inherent fertility. d:\533565037.doc Burrowing animals such as badgers and rabbits are also an increasing problem in causing damage to underground remains. Their activities also lead to difficulties in interpreting strata and higher costs in preserving sites. Badgers in particular need careful monitoring. The recreational use of sites and excessive visitor pressure can lead to erosion. Irresponsible use of metal detectors is a significant issue and is causing widespread damage. New woodland planting and forestry operations can damage the historic environment; archaeological sites in particular need careful assessment. An increase in the number and size of new planting proposals in the Cotswolds is evident over the last few years. Promotion of short rotation coppice and other energy crops such as Miscanthus could add to these difficulties. The current area threshold for Environmental Impact Assessmentof new trees planting proposals is too high. All significant sites need to be properly assessed prior to planting. Opportunities should be taken to raise the awareness of farmers , such as through the guidance published by the former AONB Partnership and Gloucestershire Archaeology Service. New agrienvironment schemes should also offer greater opportunities to improve the management of historic sites. There may be opportunities to relate information and guidance to the recently defined Landscape Character Areas HK3: Development Careful planning and design is required to ensure that development pressure does not adversely affect the traditional character of villages and other settlements throughout the AONB. Otherwise it can result in housing and industrial developments that can be inappropriate to the scale of existing towns and villages. The increasing demand for rural living shows no signs of ceasing. The settings of settlements can be compromised by development on their edges. Infilling of open areas can also significantly affect the appearance of towns and villages and the relationship between them and their landscape settings. Such sites are often subject to pressure to redevelop at densities that are inappropriate to the character of traditional villages. The Planning and Development Theme of this Management Plan refers to planning powers that can be used to control such impacts. There is a serious threat to surviving, unconverted traditional farm buildings. Government guidance requires that employment is considered before other uses but the greatest demand is for residential occupation. This can result in unsympathetic conversions, including badly designed extensions that are out of keeping with their surroundings. Collectively such development can dilute the traditional Cotswold character. The design of new agricultural buildings is also an important issue for the AONB. Unsightly and poorly positioned structures can be seen throughout the area, conflicting with the ‘unique sense of harmony’ that is so characteristic of the Cotswolds countryside. Inappropriate materials and features such as the use of reconstituted stone, non-vernacular architectural features, modern street layouts and design treatments can have a ‘suburbanising’ effect upon the landscape. Established features which give towns and villages their distinctive character, such as existing trees and hedgerows, need to be respected and accommodated by new development. Landscape planting of conifers and ornamental shrubs often replaces cottage gardens. Production of Design Guidance, Village Design Statements and Parish Plans can assist in achieving sensitive development. Planning permissions and activities which are not classed as development, or are permitted development, need to be subject to appropriate assessment of the archaeological and historical implications. Otherwise they can severely damage the archaeological sites, historic towns and landscapes that are crucial to the character of the area. The introduction of renewable energy micro generation technologies could have adverse impact on the historic environment unless care is taken with siting and design. Local planning authorities are reporting an increasing reluctance by some owners of historic buildings to use natural materials when undertaking repairs or restoration, usually on grounds of cost. Climate change impacts – drying out of organic remains, impact on masonry, erosion, introduction of energy conservation measures into historic buildings d:\533565037.doc Consideration is being given to deal with climate change issued raised in each theme review as a cross cutting theme. OBJECTIVES (This is what we want to achieve) Objectives of current plan: H1: To support better identification, recording, evaluation and understanding of the wealth of historic resources. H2: To manage change in ways that protect, conserve and enhance the historic environment and the cultural heritage of the AONB. Proposed revised objectives (Objectives are to be written to include outcomes) H1: The wealth of historic resources in the Cotswolds AONB is better identified, recorded, and understood. H2: Change is managed in ways that protect, conserve and enhance the historic environment and the cultural heritage of the AONB. POLICIES (This is how we will get things done) Policies in current Plan: HP1: To ensure that a thorough and representative record of important historic and cultural features within the AONB is maintained in a secure and easily accessible form. HP2: To promote wider awareness of historic settlement features and cultural issues amongst the many organisations and land managers that operate in the Cotswolds, and also by residents and visitors, so that they more fully understand the significance of human influence on the area’s heritage HP3: To provide advice and guidance on local distinctiveness throughout the AONB in order to encourage the retention, restoration, and appropriate new design of locally distinctive features within the Cotswolds which contribute to its local character. This should include advice on design in towns and villages, the design of agricultural building conversions and the promotion of best practice. HP4: To provide support and assistance in the preservation, reclamation and interpretation of significant local features within the AONB, including traditional agricultural buildings and parks and gardens. HP5: To support provision of archaeological advice across the whole of the AONB and ensure adequate protection and recording of any significant remains HP6: To provide information on heritage features and settlement character to encourage environmental responsibility by various land managers. d:\533565037.doc Proposed revised policies (Alternatives in italics are used for SEA process) It is the policy of the Board: HP1a: To encourage and support the development of a thorough Historic Environment Record within the AONB which is maintained in a secure and easily accessible form. HP1b: To pursue as the highest priority the recording of histories features. HP1c: To assist with the maintenance of the current Historic Environment Record. HP2a: To promote wider awareness of historic environment features and cultural issues amongst the many organisations and land managers which operate in the Cotswolds, and also by residents and visitors. HP2b: To support organisations providing information for visitors regarding the historic environment. HP3a: To provide by itself, and encourage the provision by other, advice and guidance on local distinctiveness throughout the AONB. This will include advice on design in towns and villages, the design of agricultural building conversions and the promotion of best practice. HP3b: To use currently available guidance to promote good design. HP3c: To seek consistent design across the AONB HP4a: To provide support and assistance for the conservation, restoration and interpretation of significant local features within the AONB. HP4b: To encourage owners of local features to manage them in an appropriate way. HP5a: To encourage the provision of historic environment advice across the whole of the AONB to ensure adequate protection and recording of any significant remains. HP5b: To use local organisations where existing to provide advice on the importance of the historic environment. ACTIONS (Actions are specific tasks to deliver the policies – ‘These are the things we want to do’) Actions in current Plan: d:\533565037.doc HA1: Continue the support/restoration of traditional field boundaries, especially dry stone walls and hedgerows41 through grants, condition surveys and the development of related skills via provision of training and competitions. HA2: Provide good access to both information on the historic environment and to archaeological and conservation advice in order to raise awareness of the value of the historic environment resource and assist the appraisal of development proposals. HA3: Conserve and enhance historic features by making better use of agri-environment schemes and Whole Farm Plans to influence agricultural practice. HA4: Support preservation and sustainable management of the area’s heritage and lobby English Heritage to accelerate the scheduling of ancient monuments and the review of listed buildings. HA5: Organise training and seminars to raise awareness of the historic environment amongst farmers, landowners and land management advisers within the Cotswolds. HA6: Develop a network of organisations involved in managing the heritage of the area, improve dialogue between them, and maintain a register of current research and fieldwork in the AONB. Proposed revised actions; THE BOARD WILL HA1: Provide information through the Board’s website on how to obtain access to both information on the historic environment and to archaeological and conservation advice. HA2: Lobby for land management schemes to include measures to encourage the conservation and enhancement the historic environment. HA3. Lobby English Heritage to accelerate the scheduling of ancient monuments and the review of listed buildings. HA4. Promote awareness of the historic environment amongst householder’s farmers, landowners and land management advisers within the Cotswolds. HA5: Maintain contact with organisations involved in managing the historic environment of the area, and facilitate dialogue between them, HA6; Encourage the production of, and contribute to the development of, strategies, design guidance and Supplementary Planning Documents which promote the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment. HA7: Provide information on the mitigation of the impacts of climate change on the historic environment, and guidance on the means of adaptation to such changes. d:\533565037.doc