Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

Chapter 12. Culture and Heritage
Introduction
12.1 This chapter considers the Borough’s cultural and heritage makeup, firstly looking at
the historic and archaeological assets in the Borough and then moving on to consider
how well served the Borough is in terms of museums, theatres, cinemas and the arts.
In each sub chapter, the existing provision will be looked at, as well as likely future
provision required to support growth over the plan period. Where new infrastructure is
forecasted over the plan period, the provider and sources of funding will be stated
(where known).
Historic and Archaeological Assets
Existing conditions
12.2 Surrey’s rich heritage is made up of archaeological assets, buildings and structures,
areas of landscape, cultural artefacts, memories and written, visual and oral archives.
12.3 Runnymede itself has a long history with significant Bronze Age and Iron Age sites at
Runnymede Bridge and Thorpe Lea Nurseries. The Domesday Book of 1086 shows
that most of the towns and villages in Runnymede Borough then belonged to Chertsey
Abbey, around which grew the historically important market town of Chertsey.
12.4 In addition to this, the sealing of the Magna Carta in Runnymede in 1215 by King John
remains a particularly powerful historic reference point for those living and working in
the Borough. June 2015 will mark the 800th anniversary of this momentous occasion
which has worldwide interest and heritage. This charter is acknowledged to be one
of the most significant documents in human history because it has been central to
establishing the rule of law/human rights throughout the Western world and beyond.
This event effectively immortalised Runnymede as a location and a name.
12.5 Windsor Great Park is a Royal Park which lies partly within the Borough and is
managed by the Crown Estate. The park was once part of a vast Norman hunting forest
which was enclosed in the late 13th century. The 2,020 hectares of parkland, which
includes a Deer Park, is a varied landscape of formal avenues, gardens, woodland and
open grassland. Over two and a half million people visit Windsor Great Park every year
(the Royal Landscape website).
12.6 Runnymede’s rich heritage forms an intrinsic part of the character of the Borough. This
rich heritage is recognised by the 400 or so statutory listed buildings and structures
within the Borough, including 4 Grade I listed properties: Runnymede Park, Tite Hill;
Founder’s Building, Royal Holloway College, Egham Hill; Great Fosters, Stroude Road
and Holloway Sanatorium, Stroude Road. A further 19 properties merit Grade II* listing.
Furthermore, 23ha of the Borough is designated as having High Archaeological
Potential. The Homestead Moat at Hamm Court Farm is a County site of
Archaeological Interest.
12.7 The Borough also contains 6 Conservation Areas, 7 Scheduled Ancient Monuments
and 5 Historic Parks and Gardens including part of the Grade I listed Windsor Great
Park discussed above (in which the Grade II* listed Savill Gardens is located).
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013