SST5394 - Historic Environment Character Assessment - Cannock Chase AONB - June 2015.pdf
Original Date/Time
June 2015
Title
SST5394 - Historic Environment Character Assessment - Cannock Chase AONB - June 2015.pdf
Description
The Cannock Chase AONB was designated in 1958 under the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act (1948). It covers an area of 68 km2 and comprises lowland heath, coniferous plantation, previously mined areas, ancient semi-natural woodland, parklands, farmland and several small settlements.
As well as AONB status, specific elements of Cannock Chase are safeguarded via a number of designations to protect both its natural and historic environment assets. The Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) covers 1,264ha of the AONB and is designated under the European Commission Habitats Directive. There are also five Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and 19 Sites of Biological Interest (SBI). In terms of the historic environment there are currently six Scheduled Monuments, 68 nationally Listed Buildings, two Registered Parks and Gardens and five Conservation Areas (see Map 1). The remains of the Great War camps and training landscape present on Cannock Chase, whilst not formally designated, are considered to be of national importance. Indeed, the remains of the Great War Messines Terrain Model are unique in the UK and rare on the Western Front and could be considered to be of international significance.
Over 600 heritage assets (both designated and undesignated) are currently recorded on Staffordshire’s Historic Environment Record (HER) within the Cannock Chase AONB. These assets span a range of types (from buildings, sites, monuments and finds) and periods (from the prehistoric to the mid-20th century). To date there has been no work to assess many of these heritage assets or their significance in order to identify opportunities for their enhancement and/or management. Neither has there been a project which has sought to review the resource with a view to identifying gaps in knowledge, highlighting the significance of the historic environment to promote public engagement or to understand the history of Cannock Chase through interpretation and/or education.
The Cannock Chase AONB management plan (2014-19) was adopted in July 2014 and its vision is to enhance the area in terms of its “landscape beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage…” by 20341. The management plan consequently includes the commitment to prepare a Historic Environment Assessment (HEA) as part of its Plan Delivery Actions (LA19). The aims and objectives of the HEA are laid out below and this work will form the basis for Plan Delivery Action LA20 to prepare a Historic Environment Management Plan (HEMP).
The principal aim of the HEA is to identify and highlight the contribution of the historic character and heritage assets to the AONB, to assess their significance and to identify outcomes. These outcomes include the enhancement and/or management of heritage assets as applicable as well as highlighting any key issues warranting further more detailed investigation. This work also aims to enhance visitor experience through the identification of interpretation and/or education opportunities. This assessment will then provide an evidence base to inform the production of a HEMP.
The main objectives of the HEA are:
* To understand and provide a synthesis of the historic development of Cannock Chase to the present day.
* To identify and create Historic Character Areas (HCAs) across the AONB to form the basis of the assessment.
* To understand and articulate the significance of the historic landscape character and heritage assets within each HCA.
* To identify the key recommendations and/or issues for each HCA arising from the significance assessment to include: management or enhancement priorities; informing research objectives; and to identify interpretation/education opportunities.
Creator
Staffordshire County Council
Keywords
AONB, Area of Outstanding Natural Beau, Cannock, Cannock Chase AONB, Cannock Chase District, Characterisation, Historic Character Assessment, Historic Environment Assessment, Lichfield District, South Staffordshire District, Stafford Borough
Date
24 October 19
Folder Tree
SCCData, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles/Designations, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles/Designations/HEA
Credit
suzyb
Copyright
Staffordshire County Council
IdThumb (old LibraryLink)
34860
Caption
Historic Environment Assessment: Cannocj Chase AONB (June 2015)