SST679 - Historic Environment Character Assessment - Stafford Environs.pdf
Original Date/Time
2009
Title
SST679 - Historic Environment Character Assessment - Stafford Environs.pdf
Description
An assessment of the historic environment character of the key settlements within the Borough of Stafford, including Eccleshall, Gnosall, Stafford Environs, Stone and The Haywoods. The assessment was commissioned by the Forward Planning Section at Stafford Borough Council to form part of the evidence base for the options assessment of their local spatial strategy.
This HEA report covers Stafford Environs (please note that the HEA for Stafford does not include the extent of the modern development of the town which is being covered by a separate project, the Extensive Urban Survey (EUS) of the county’s towns).
The aim of the project was to provide an overview of the historic environment of the district through the identification of Historic Environment Character Areas (HECAs) at a broad level. For the buffered area around Stafford a more detailed assessment of the historic environment character was undertaken. The assessment included a scoring system to evaluate the impact of medium to large scale housing development upon each of the zones. The extent of the project area to be assessed was agreed between the Cultural Heritage Team, SCC and Stafford Borough Council; being an approximately 500m buffer around the built-up extent of the town.
These HECAs were then subdivided into Historic Environment Character Zones (HECZs). These HECZs are more geographically discrete than the HECZs which enabled a more detailed analysis to be carried out.
A separate report for each HECA that lies within Stafford Borough has been produced and each provides an overview of the historic environment. This incorporates the HLC with the HER data and is informed by a general understanding of the topographic, land form and general drift geological influences upon human activity and agency. Each then examines the Historic Environment considerations, looks at the impact of medium to large scale development within each of the character areas and addresses issues which should be addressed by any future development proposals. These considerations are partly based upon the West Midlands Research Frameworks for archaeological work within the Region (although please note that the research frameworks were not fully completed at the time of this study).
A more detailed assessment, comprising the identification of HECZs and the production of a separate report on each which summarise the main areas of interest followed by the archaeological and character of each zone. This information is then brought together and analysed and provides the basis for an assessment of significance for each zone.
The assessment was produced specifically for the Stafford Borough housing allocation areas and has identified areas where the historic environment is a consideration when assessing the most appropriate location for new housing development. The summary of each report provides a short paragraph on the importance of the historic environment in each zone along with guidance or advice on the ways in which development may have an impact upon the historic environment.
The documents can be used to identify historic environment considerations at an early stage in the planning process within each zone. The reports summarise the potential historic environment impacts and opportunities that would need to be taken into account to ensure the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment assets within the Borough.
The project provides an initial assessment of the potential for the historic environment within each zone. However the assessment is not intended to replace the need to consult the SCC Cultural Heritage Team at an early stage to identify potential impacts and the possible need for mitigation on individual development sites or areas.
There are 7 HECAs that coincide with the Stafford HEA project area. These have been subdivided into 24 HECZs.
Creator
Debbie Taylor (Staffordshire County Council)
Keywords
Character Areas, Character Zones, HECA, HECZ, Historic Character Assessment, Historic Environment Assessment, Stafford, Stafford Borough
Date
06 October 14
Folder Tree
SCCData, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles/Designations, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles/Designations/HEA
Credit
Suzy Blake
Copyright
Staffordshire County Council
IdThumb (old LibraryLink)
33137
Caption
Historic Environment Character Assessment: Stafford Environs