Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2011 - 2016

Heritage & Culture

Visions

• The impact and importance of historic, human influence upon the character and local distinctiveness of the AONB is fully understood, appreciated and celebrated by all

• A full understanding of the historic character and features of the countryside and rural settlements in the Cornwall AONB with appropriate management in place for long term protection and enhancement of this resource

Background

Cornwall, and the Cornwall AONB in particular, has a rich and diverse history of human activity dating back to Mesolithic times with some of the earliest evidence of settlement in the country and among the highest densities of archaeological monuments in Europe. The Cornwall AONB is one of the oldest continually farmed landscapes in the world, the ancient field pattern marked out by Cornish hedges which, in parts of West Penwith, are thought to be older than the Egyptian pyramids. Much of the visual interest of the AONB is created by its historic buildings and structures, from the wonderfully varied vernacular housing and farm buildings to Iron Age hill forts and coastal cliff castles. It is particularly important that this special variety is both conserved and interpreted because the AONB has a landscape that is in most areas, both ancient and still readable.

The AONB also contains much evidence of more recent episodes of land use, such as hard rock mining, that have in turn added another rich dimension to the landscape. The inscription of parts of the AONB and other sites in Cornwall as the ‘Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site’ confirms the international importance of this historic landscape and provides a focus for its continuing celebration and management. Aside from
mining heritage, the literature and creative arts of the Cornwall AONB both past and present, have a crucial role to play in shaping local distinctiveness, with the amazing landscapes of the AONB being celebrated in the works of du Maurier and Betjeman, the paintings of Jackson, and the plays delivered to amazed audiences at the Minack Theatre.

Other historic features within the AONB include the wealth of historic parks and gardens, large estate parklands and highway features such as Cornwall’s distinctive fingerposts, milestones, stone crosses, ancient Cornish hedges, and the plethora of standing stones and monuments. Wherever you care to look in the Cornwall AONB, there’s always a fascinating piece of history to discover.

Management Framework

• The Heritage Protection Reform programme was born out of the Heritage Protection Review set out by Government in 2003 to improve the way our historic environment is managed

• PPS5 ‘Planning for the Historic Environment’ strengthens the protection for heritage assets

• In 2008 Cornwall County Council established a Heritage Assets ‘Single Issue Panel’ that considered the management practices of the Council with regard to heritage features and made a number of key recommendations

• The ‘Cornwall and Scilly Historic Environment Record’ (HER) is a comprehensive record of
Cornwall’s historic features and built heritage which is available via the Heritage Gateway website3

• There are 145 Conservation Areas in Cornwall, with 52 of these within the AONB. Conservation appraisals and management plans are to be produced for all Conservation Areas

• The ‘1994 Historic Landscape Character Assessment’ is a time depth analysis of land use in Cornwall and guides work on historic character

• Historic Seascape Characterisation (HSC) maps provide an understanding of the cultural processes shaping the present landscape in coastal and marine areas

• Historic Environment Action Plans or HEAPs are the equivalent to Biodiversity Action Plans and use a historic character based approach to set out management objectives for the heritage of an area. There is a draft HEAP for Bodmin Moor

• The historic environment is a vital educational asset and fosters strong communities

• Museums, galleries, records centres, learning establishments and digital media provide excellent venues and channels through which to promote the historic resource

• The website ‘Historic Cornwall’4 is a great portal for access to information and studies on
Cornwall’s heritage, containing links to ‘The Cornwall Industrial Settlements Initiative’ ‘The Cornwall Urban Survey’, Access 2 Monuments- interactive mapping, the ‘Flying Past’ aerial archaeology project and information about the World Heritage Site

• The Cornwall AONB and the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site (WHS) between them cover over 35% of the Cornwall

• There is an opportunity to build upon active Cornish associations such as Cornwall
Archaeological Society, Cornwall Heritage Trust and Old Cornwall Societies

• Conservation and historic building maintenance can offer long term sustainable employment

• The Cornwall Sustainable Buildings Trust aims to mainstream sustainable construction and gives advice and training in the understanding and practical use of traditional building skills

• There are a number of groups in Cornwall dedicated to the management and construction
of Cornish hedges such as The Stone Academy, Bodmin, the Guild of Cornish Hedgers and the Cornwall Hedge Research and Education Group

• A Cornwall Culture White Paper is being produced by Cornwall Council which will set out a 5 year programme to develop the cultural sector

3. http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/chr/default.aspx
4. http://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk/

Heritage & Culture Policies

HC1	Ensure all AONB terrestrial and marine heritage assets, not simply those which are designated, are brought under high quality management and use, and that appropriate monitoring is put in place to ensure their continuing survival, in good condition
HC2	Continue to seek opportunities to designate important heritage assets within the AONB to ensure their long term protection
HC3	Take a character led approach to management of the historic landscapes, settlements and seascapes of the AONB, using Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC), Historic Seascape Assessment and Historic Environment Action Plans (HEAPs) as key tools, integrating fully with the natural environment and landscape
HC4	Seek opportunities to increase access to and understanding of both the physical and intellectual historic environment within the AONB, working with education providers and venues to promote the historic environment and deliver opportunities for lifelong learning
HC5	Support the recording and appropriate interpretation of all aspects of the AONB’s historic environment to ensure local communities and visitors gain a good understanding and experience of place
HC6	Support the work of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site (WHS) Partnership in the management, interpretation and celebration of the mining heritage of the AONB. Protect the Outstanding Universal Value and settings of the WHS by contributing to the actions set down in the WHS Management Plan
HC7	Promote the use of traditional land management and construction techniques and support initiatives to provide education and training to these sectors in order to conserve and enhance the character of the historic built environment and rural heritage assets
HC8	Support the awareness raising and celebration of the historic arts and literature of the AONB and support the current cultural sectors of creative arts, performance and media that celebrate and enhance the character of the protected landscape

Heritage & Culture Actions

A/HC1	Produce guidance on the range and management of heritage assets, historic buildings and historic character within the protected landscape and undertake training with planning, highways and rights of way officers on the management of the historic environment – Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/HC2	Monitor and report on the condition of heritage assets within the AONB with the help of local communities and heritage organisations – Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/HC3	Build on the Cornwall Urban Survey and the Industrial Settlements Initiative with a project to map and describe the heritage of the smaller villages within the Cornwall AONB – Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/HC4	Ensure that all Conservation Areas within the AONB have Character Appraisals and Conservation Area Management Plans – Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/HC5	Develop Historic Environment Action Plans for sections of the Cornwall AONB, using the Historic Landscape Characterisation and more detailed local characterisation work – Cornwall Council Environment Service and English Heritage
A/HC6	Undertake an audit of current education provision for heritage and culture and establish a group to better co-ordinate existing resources – Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/HC7	Promote and further develop ‘Historic Cornwall’ as a web based portal for the dissemination of information on Cornwall’s historic environment and cultural heritage – Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/HC8	Develop a programme of courses in traditional building techniques in partnership with the Cornwall Sustainable Buildings Trust and rural skills such as Cornish hedging with local groups and experts – Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/HC9	Input into the development of the Cornwall Culture White Paper to ensure local cultural activity within the Cornwall AONB is supported and encouraged – Cornwall AONB Unit

Further Information

Further information on condition, predicted trends, management framework and monitoring can be found in the web based appendices to this chapter http://www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk/management-plan/further-heritage.html