1. Research, Conserve, Campaign
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORDS
Title page only! Re-think a title?

2. Research, Conserve, Campaign
What are Historic Environment Records (HERs)?
HERs, a brief history (Sites and Monuments Records/SMRs)
The records have progressed from simple card indexes with paper maps to complex databases which interact with digital mapping
HERs contain information on: archaeological sites and monuments, artefacts, historic buildings and other structures, and historic landscapes, from prehistory through to modern times, and whether they survive or not
An important aspect is the record of archaeological and/or historical endeavour, what recording activities have taken place, how and when they were done
HERs conform to national standards and guidance
HERs have status within the planning system
HERs are dynamic!
Originally called SMRs, these records were created, largely by County Councils, as a response to economic growth during the 1960s and 1970s as a means of keeping track of the ongoing threat to archaeology. They were essentially based on Ordnance Survey record cards, some of which formed the backup to antiquity-related symbols found on OS maps such as those for battlefields, or simply “Roman Remains found in 1864”. (RCHME volumes?)
SMRs were mostly based within the field-based Archaeology Units which were doing much of the archaeology at this time, but their growing importance in relation to the planning system was recognised in 1989 when they became part of formal planning guidance (PPG16).
During the 1990s there was increasing awareness that the records needed to be extended to include the post medieval, industrial and modern periods, and with this their remit was also extended to include historic buildings and landscapes, at which point they started to change their name to HERs. However a few are still called SMRs.

3. National Planning Policy Framework (www. gov
National Planning Policy Framework (
Conserving and enhancing the historic environment
Para 128. In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant Historic Environment Record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary.
Para 141. Local planning authorities should make information about the significance of the historic environment publicly accessible. They should require developers to advance understanding of the significance of any heritage assets to be lost and to make this evidence publicly accessible. Copies of evidence should be deposited with the relevant Historic Environment Record.
Plan making
Para 169. Local planning authorities should have up-to-date evidence about the historic environment in their area and use it to assess the significance of heritage assets and the contribution they make to their environment. Local planning authorities should either maintain or have access to an Historic Environment Record.
Conserving and enhancing the historic environment
128. In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.
141. Local planning authorities should make information about the significance of the historic environment gathered as part of plan-making or development management publicly accessible. They should also require developers to record and advance understanding of the significance of any heritage assets to be lost (wholly or in part) in a manner proportionate to their importance and the impact, and to make this evidence (and any archive generated) publicly accessible. However, the ability to record evidence of our past should not be a factor in deciding whether such loss should be permitted. Copies of evidence should be deposited with the relevant Historic Environment Record, and any archives with a local museum or other public depository.
Plan making
169. Local planning authorities should have up-to-date evidence about the historic environment in their area and use it to assess the significance of heritage assets and the contribution they make to their environment. They should also use it to predict the likelihood that currently unidentified heritage assets, particularly sites of historic and archaeological interest, will be discovered in the future. Local planning authorities should either maintain or have access to a historic environment record.

4. Research, Conserve, Campaign
How are HERs used?
For strategic planning for future development
To monitor planning applications (and proposed applications), and inform appropriate responses
To inform designation processes (including Conservation Areas)
To inform other conservation schemes and initiatives, nationally and locally
For forward planning of both professional and amateur fieldwork
For research and education
For passing interest by the general public
Strategic planning by Local Authority planners
Monitoring by archaeological planners
Designation processes as used by Historic England and Local Authorities
National conservation schemes such as Stewardship (Natural England), or local such as guardianship schemes…. Nene Valley Project?
Not all activity is planning related, there is also fieldwork for academic research and work organised by local interest groups or societies
HERs are sometimes used for school projects, by undergraduates and academic researchers
Some HERs have very strong public outreach agendas
IT MIGHT BE WORTH SAYING HERE THAT HERS TEND TO REFLECT THE INTERESTS AND CONCERNS OF THE STAFF WHO RUN THEM!

5. Research, Conserve, Campaign
How can HERs be used by
County Gardens Trusts?
By visiting the Heritage Gateway (contains HER contact details, access and charging policies, and provides links to online data via the Gateway or local arrangements)
Visiting the host local authority’s website
Requesting an HER database search to be sent out
Making an appointment to visit an HER in person
Making direct face to face contact with HER staff
Getting local HER staff to speak to your Trust

6. The Heritage Gateway (www.heritagegateway.org.uk)

7. Some HER information may be available online via the host local authority website

8. Research, Conserve, Campaign
Why County Gardens Trusts
should use HERs
To search the database for sites by name or location for example, or thematic searches such as public parks, cemeteries, grottoes
To provide a range of designations information on sites of interest
To use HER supporting collections to further research, such as fieldwork reports, reference library, specialist aerial photographs
To establish what level of research, recording and assessment has already been carried out on historic designed landscapes
To identify gaps in current understanding
To plan future research and recording for individual sites
For access to detailed current mapping (and possibly historic)

9. Ordnance Survey Record Cards

10. HER content: mapping
The importance of mapping and how it links to the database

11. HER content: archaeological monuments
The importance of looking at monuments beyond the known designed landscape…
Also point to how incomplete the records may be for some designed landscapes eg. The ponds at Cransley Hall are not recorded.
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

12. HER content: historic buildings
The importance of recording monuments which no longer exist…
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

13. HER content: monuments
How records are supplemented with additional survey and fieldwork…. Fishponds at Steane, from OS cards to earthwork survey and aerial archaeology
Also Listed Buildings (and SM)
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

14. HER content: historic buildings (Listed)
Designations: Listed Buildings and SM
Lack of information on the landscape parkland at Laxton Hall… needs significant enhancement, mapping etc
Also note the monument type fields at the bottom of the screen, these enable thematic searches….
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

15. Search and map on themes (eg. Follies)
….such as “folly” from the Northamptonshire HER
Distribution mapping
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

16. Search and map by name (eg. Castle Ashby)
Or searches by name eg. Or monument numbers (to gain everything interpreted as part of a parkland)… perhaps more explanation needed?
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

17. HER content: Recording Events
Records of archaeological endeavour, and linked mapping
Need to know what has happened previously and exactly where
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

18. Search and map on finds (portable objects)
Even search on artefacts relating to designed landscapes… and associated mapping
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

19. Search and map on Designations (eg. Registered Parks and Gardens)
Designations: Registered parks and gardens, full list and their mapped distribution
Clicking on items in the list will open the designation record for that item eg. Ashton Wold
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

20. Supporting collections in HERs: planning-generated reports (grey literature)
HER collections will include grey literature submitted as part of the planning process
These are recorded as sources on the database, then linked through to the recording events, monuments and artefacts revealed…
Mention OASIS and access to grey literature via ADS?
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

21. Supporting collections in HERs: one-off reports
Other sources, such as non-planning related sources (Supplementary Files, or library if properly bound)

22. Supporting collections in HERs: aerial photographs
Index of aerial photos, their NGRs used to create a map layer for ease of searching
Data copyright Northamptonshire County Council

23. Specialist aerial photographs
The importance of specialist photography as opposed to Google Earth etc
Mention the HE archive at Swindon…
… next Lidar?

24. Research, Conserve, Campaign
How County Gardens Trusts
can contribute to HERs
By providing information on previously unrecorded sites
By updating and enhancing existing records with new information eg. new features, or clarification of dates
By updating and enhancing mapping information
Supplying detailed information on current site conditions, accessibility, advising on potential threats, assessments
Providing Statements of Significance
Keeping the record dynamic!
Establish reciprocal role. Supply of data in exchange for return of data to enhance the HER.
Remember that the HER staff, and other users of the HER material, will probably not know as much about historic parks and gardens as you do!