English Heritage is calling on local authorities in the Yorkshire and the Humber region to carry out more assessments of their historic areas to help them retain their character and distinctiveness.
New guidance has been published called Understanding Place: Historic Area Assessment - Principles and Practice, setting out in detail a method of gaining a rapid understanding of the heritage interest of fairly small areas or neighbourhoods. Such historic zones could include suburbs, villages, hamlets, town centres or small to medium size towns.
Issues facing the historic areas include infilling of vacant sites, new developments, “garden-grabbing” in residential suburbs, or redundant and derelict buildings. The aim is to enable planners, developers, local authorities, other professionals as well as the public to judge which parts of an area are most significant or valuable and which are most vulnerable to change.
Trevor Mitchell, Regional Director for English Heritage, said: “The diversity of styles and architecture within the region is mind boggling, with areas having their own feel and character. It is what’s so enriching about living in Yorkshire and the Humber. That’s why it’s important to understand the things that make a place unique and attractive for businesses, visitors and residents. Possible developments can then be viewed from an informed position, leading to better care of the historic environment without hindering positive change.”
The guidance says that historic area assessments are especially valuable:
• During the early planning stages of eco towns, regeneration schemes and housing growth areas;
• When an area faces large scale redevelopment including major infrastructure projects;
• When an area is put forward for designation as a conservation area;
• When restoration schemes of historic estates, parks and gardens are being proposed; during the formulation of Masterplans, Heritage Partnership Agreements and Area Action Plans.
The full version of Understanding Place: Historic Area Assessment - Principles and Practice, and a shorter version specifically aimed at local authorities and developers are available on www.helm.org.uk
For info ...most of the buildings in Brigg's pedestrian area are listed.
ReplyDeleteTheir fascinating facades often go unnoticed by shoppers.....and this leaves on opening for an enterprising, local history buff to produce a systematic transect of Brigg's main shopping area offering details of each shop's architectural detail and dates.
For example, raise your eyes above Martin's window and gaze upon the dogtooth corbelling and window details of the Georgian 3 storey building.....a gem, although needing some TLC.
Much of Brigg's architecteral inheritance in the every-day buildings...not just the Angel and the Buttercross.
It is a pity that Brigg's 19th workers' cottages have almost gone. Brian's DIY demolished a derelict property in Grammar School Rd South over recent months to make way for a retail extension. The only ones now remaining are the ones (being used as storage units) in Cary Lane.....something should be done to preserve this heritage...even if means dismantling the buildings and re-erecting them in a different part of Brigg.