Using Historic Landscape Characterisation

Partnership, Learning and Outreach
To ensure the greatest possible use of
HLC information, its reports and the
results of additional interpretations and
research projects need to be widely
available to the general public and
students as well as to agencies,
organisations and consultants. Some
counties have ensured that copies of
their final project reports are sent to
local libraries, so that reference copies
are easily accessible.
Local authority Internet sites are a
useful means of providing and
accessing this information. The
Hampshire HLC report is available
online along with map extracts and
charts that show the HLC profile of
parishes across the county
(www.hants.gov.uk/landscape).
In Lancashire the HLC report is also
available online at
www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/
archaeology/lhlcp/index.asp, and on a
CD-ROM that includes the GIS data
itself.
In most local authorities GIS is provided
on the general computer network. The
dataset can therefore potentially be
accessed in different departments by
people other than the usual heritage
specialists – the Development Control
and SMR Officers. However, in all of its
formats one thing is essential – if HLC
is to be used by its target audience to its
greatest potential, it needs to be
presented in a user friendly format with
jargon free text.
Stakeholder seminars
Many local authorities hold
presentations for outside agencies and
stakeholders during their HLC projects.
This enables future users to keep
abreast of developments, and ensures
that when projects are complete there
will be a certain level of familiarity with
the information and how it might be
used. It also allows questions to be
asked and, where appropriate, the
structure of an HLC to be influenced by
identified needs.
Raising awareness
Almost all HLC projects have been the
focus of promotional events organised
by local authorities, such as talks at
local societies and workshops for
potential users. The aim of these
events is to raise the profile of the
historic landscape and to improve
understanding of what HLC is and how
it can best be used. Presentations on
HLC have been given at national and
regional conferences, as well as
seminars for professional audiences of
various types.
Whilst talks to local societies can raise
awareness of HLC itself, presentations
on HLC projects can also be used to
raise awareness of the broader historic
environment. Most local authorities
undertaking HLC have promoted these
projects alongside other aspects of their
work. Some have also given specific
talks about HLC with a particularly local
emphasis; in Lancashire individual
parishes have been targeted for this as
part of the Forest of Bowland project.
In some areas authorities are looking to
develop their outreach programmes
further through a Heritage Lottery Fund
(HLF) SMR project.
Presenting
information
about the
historic
landscape,
including HLC
mapping
to local
communities
at Chipping
Village Hall
© Lancashire
County
Council
Cornwall County Council
Senior Archaeologist Peter Herring has given numerous talks on Cornwall’s HLC to local
groups. Presentations have been met with a great deal of interest and enthusiasm;
people are pleased to see that unlike in the past, when designated areas were the focus
of landscape attention and other areas were dismissed, the places where they actually
live and work have now been mapped and recognised as having historic character and
diversity. This exercise in social inclusion has led to rewarding discussions about the
historic environment, including the collection of local responses to particular HLC types.
49