Other consultation results
These are presented in two parts; a) Survey of stakeholder organisations and b) Public Survey.
a) Survey of Stakeholder Organisations
Stakeholders were provided with a copy of the draft CMP in hard copy or electronically and an
online survey was carried out using a questionnaire to gather their views. Respondents were asked
to consider each of the overarching policies proposed in the document, and whether they felt the
objective actions associated with them could achieve
those aims.
Of the stakeholders contacted, 20 responded in some
way, with 10 completing the whole questionnaire.
Almost all of the invited stakeholder respondents had
read the draft Battlefield Conservation Management
Plan in full, indicating awareness of all proposed
policies and their respective associated actions. For
each of the seven key policies, respondents were asked to;
a. consider the policy itself and state how far they felt it fulfilled its overall aim
b. state how far they thought the associated actions supported that policy
c. add detail to explain their answers in open text format.
Policy 1: Battlefield Location & Protection
"Any operations which may result in disturbance of potential archaeological evidence or
contamination with metallic artefacts should be appropriately assessed by a battlefield archaeologist
to ensure that any archaeological evidence of the battle is recorded, interpreted and protected."
Of the 8 organisations that answered
this question, 6 felt the policy itself
achieved its aim fairly well; 1 fairly
poorly and 1 not at all.
7 organisations felt the policy actions
supported the policy completely or
fairly well and 1 not at all.
Comments made about this policy related to disagreement with actual site of the Registered
Battlefield. This respondent felt archaeological work was not necessary as some areas to the eastern
edge of the registered site had already been disturbed by building and the extant golf course.
However it is not within the scope or influence of this plan to change the Registered Battlefield site,
which was designated by the Battlefield Trust.
Other respondents felt it was important that archaeological work should be carried out, that this
was needed and that it may help identify “the epicentre of the battle”.
Policy 2: Historic Landscape
“Conserve and enhance the historic and planned elements of the Registered Battlefield’s built
environment and landscape including remnant medieval features and the designed parkland.”
7 respondents answered questions on
this policy, all of whom felt the policy
fulfilled its aim completely of fairly well.
1 respondent felt the associated actions
supported the policy fairly poorly,
whilst the remaining 6 thought it did so
completely or fairly well.
Respondents felt that it was important
to protect and maintain the land, but that this should not preclude use of that land by the public.
Policy 3: Nature Conservation
“Retain and enhance the Registered Battlefield’s habitats and natural resources to promote its
intrinsic biodiversity value, its role as a component in wider green chains. Conservation and
management will be underpinned by the principles of environmental sustainability.”
The Nature Conservation policy was
thought to be suitable by 6 of the 7
responding organisations that answered
this question, whilst 1 felt it was not at
all suitable.
5 respondents felt the policy actions
supported the policy completely or fairly
well, 1 thought fairly poorly and 1 not at all. Respondent comments suggested that whatever can be
done to save the environment, should be done, and that information relating to the battle could be
sited along the river for public use. It was also felt that natural environment was important for
families to share with children.
Policy 4: Access & Interpretation
“Ensure the battlefield is accessible through improving and maintaining physical access and providing
appropriate interpretation of the battlefield’s heritage and nature conservation importance.
Encourage community involvement through activities and volunteer schemes.”
Regarding the Access and
Interpretation policy, 5 of the 7
respondents thought this met its
aim completely of fairly well; the
remaining 2 considered it met its
aim fairly poorly or not at all.
6 thought the policy actions were
appropriate, and 1 felt they were
faily poor.
Respondents felt it was “important to raise awareness and inform the community (and visitors) on
the battle, its location and context”, and that information on the battle should be provided within
Delapré Abbey as well as along the river.
Policy 5: Public Use and Events
“Promote activities and events within the Registered battlefield to increase public awareness and
understanding and hence perceived value of the site whilst ensuring that those activities do not
adversely affect the historic fabric or biodiversity of the site (such as ridge and furrow), or
contaminate battle archaeology.”
All 7 respondents felt this policy
fulfilled the aim. 5 Felt the
associated actions supportedthe
policy completely or fairly well,
while 2 felt they were fairly poor.
Comments indicated that the Abbey
chould be used to promote the
battlefield, although the public
must have some influence over activity. It was felt an increase in interest nationally in history and
heritage presented an oopportunity to ‘help put Northampton on the map’. Car parking and other
facilities were felt to be very important, but said that building car parks on-site was not appropriate.
Policy 6: Landscape
“Maintain the landscape assets of the site, key views linking the town of Northampton to the
battlefield, parkland within the site, the quality of the Abbey grounds.”
Almost every respondent felt policy 6
and its associated actions achieved
the landscape aims completely or
fairly well. Only 1 respondent
disgreed, saying the policy actions did
not meet the aim at all.
Repsondents felt that pressure would
grow in future for third-party
development of the land and that this should be avoided. Any changes must be in keeping with the
current landscape, especially around Delapré Abbey.
Policy 7: Management and Maintenance
“Ensure that the natural and built components of the site are managed and maintained in a manner
which conserves and enhances their heritage, ecological and amenity value and provides for the
health, safety and well-being of people visiting, working and living in the site.”
All 7 respondents felt the policy aim
was met completely or fairly well by
the policy statement, and 5 felt the
policy actions were appropriate; 2 felt
they did not support the policy at all.
The only comment received in respoct
of Policy 7 was re re-state the
impiortance of the health & safety of
the public.
Public Survey
A simplified version of the stakeholder questionnaire was made available for anyone to complete on
a self-selection basis. This questionnaire was also made available online, with hard copies provided
with a drop-box at Delapré Abbey. The public questionnaire was publicised in local press and
through the Council’s social media channels, and completed by 480 respondents.
Principle of the Adoption of a Conservation Management Plan
Respondents were asked how strongly they
agreed or disagreed with the principle of a
conservation management plan for the
registered battlefield being adopted.
87% strongly agreed or agreed, while 13%
disagreed or strongly disagreed;
demonstrating substantial majority support
for the adoption of such a plan.
Policy: Battlefield Location and Protection
Of the 480 respondents, 81% (391) felt it
was appropriate to carry out more survey
work to identify important areas and
understand archaeology within the
registered battlefield site. 62% (298) felt
that the depth of the ground surface in
1460 should be established on the meadow
north of Delapré Abbey, as a possible
indicator of remaining archaeology.
Policy: Historic Landscape
The majority of respondents were
supportive of all three policy actions on
historic landscape management. 78%
(375) felt links to Delapré should be strengthened, 65% (316) thought lost boundary features
including the Delapré entrance should be replaced, and 67% (324) wanted sections of historic
footpaths to be restored.
Policy: Nature Conservation
66% (318) thought it was important to
review Delapré Abbey’s Management
Plan in the light of this plan, and 74%
(357) thought a strategy for ancient
and modern trees should be included
here.
However, under half (46%/222) of
respondents thought it appropriate to
retain standing dead trees and create deadwood piles. 56% (271) felt products such as mulch,
compost, wood fuel etc. from the land should be used.
Policy: Access and Interpretation
Of the six policy actions proposed for
Access and Interpretation, only one
attracted support from less than half of
all respondents; 48% (231) selected
‘improving links with River Nene
National Park’.
The remaining actions were more
strongly supported;

more information at entrances (75%/362)

network of paths and circular route rlund lake and parkland (57%/278)

new signs, better directions and maps around the site (67%/324)

improved links with Delapré Abbey and Eleanor’s Cross, and (64%/308)

using the abbey for information display and connected events (68%/327)
Policy: Public Use and Events
71% (345) wanted to ensure suitable
and appropritate parking toilets and
access etc., while 65% (315) felt it was
important for parters to work together
to provide a variety of events.
Policy: Landscape
All three policy actions proposed for
general landscape management were
supported almost equally; between 65%
and 66% of respondents wanted
partnership working to keep border
views open (312), and ensure that any
planting on the site (313), or changes to
the landscape (317), conserves the parkland character.
Policy: Management and Maintenance
Of the four policy actions proposed for
the Management and Maintenance
policy, improving drainage within the
site was least popular, receiving only
40% (192) support.
The remaining three actions however,
were popular with respondents.
Working with DAPT, FoDA, Battlefield
Trust, Northampton Wildlife Trust and
the general public was important, with 73% (355) supporting this.
Respondents also felt it was beneficial to work with landowners and tenants within the Registered
Battlefield for a joint approach 68% (329) and that new funding and help such as volunteering should
be sought for all battlefield projects 66% (318).
Public Survey Conclusions
It is clear from the survey results that there is very strong support for almost all policy actions within
the draft Battlefield Conservation Management Plan, with only two actions attracting less than 50%
support;
46%/222) retain standing dead trees and create deadwood piles (Nature Conservation Policy)
48% (231) improve links with River Nene National Park for easier access to the National Trail (Access
and Interpretation Policy)
Taken alongside 87% of public respondents supporting the adoption of a Battlefield Conservation
Management Plan in principle, it is obvious that this plan is wanted and that people consider that
the proposed policies within it are likely to achieve what the policies set out to do.