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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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:
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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.
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