Archived decisions
Hampshire County Council
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 7
19 February 2003
Silchester Roman Town Management Plan and the improvement of public interpretation and access
Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
Contact: Stephen Locke Ext. 6700
1. Summary
That the following decision is sought:
To note the draft Management Plan for Silchester Roman Town approved by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources and the Director of Recreation and Heritage be authorized to develop proposals to improve public access, interpretation and educational facilities in line with the Management Plan.
2. Reasons
To promote improved heritage understanding and enjoyment of a very important archaeological site with respect for the conservation of the site and the interests of local residents.
3. Other options
Maintaining the status quo and not improving interpretation and access.
4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted.
None.
5. Dispensation
Not applicable.
6. Reasons for matter being dealt with, if urgent.
Not applicable.
Approved by: (signature) Date: (date of decision)
................................ ................................
Cllr. J. Waddington
Hampshire County Council
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 7
19 February 2003
Silchester Roman Town Management Plan and the improvement of public interpretation and access
Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
Contact: Stephen Locke Ext. 6700
1. Introduction
1.1 This report seeks approval for a policy to improve interpretation, education and public access to Silchester Roman Town within the opportunities and constraints of its status as a scheduled ancient monument, the needs of the local community, and the overall management of the site as part of the County Farms Estate.
1.2 It is recommended that policy is related to a Management Plan which was approved by the Executive Member, Policy and Resources on 16 January, and which will be a basis for consultation with interested parties.
1.3 An application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant to improve interpretative and educational facilities is planned.
2. Background
2.1 Silchester Roman town covers 57.1 hectares (140.9 acres) and was acquired by the County Council in 1979 with funding from English Heritage. Since that time it has been managed within the County Farms portfolio with the land let on an agricultural tenancy. The area is a scheduled Ancient Monument and the walls are the responsibility of English Heritage.
2.1 Silchester Roman town was called Calleva Atrebatum after the tribe which first built on the site and which was redeveloped by the Romans in the first century AD.
2.3 Silchester is of international archaeological importance being one of the few sites in Europe where a Roman town has been abandoned without any significant redevelopment. The only redevelopment within the town walls at Silchester has been the construction of the Norman Parish Church and adjoining farmhouse. Just beyond the north east corner of the town walls lies the Roman amphitheatre which was believed to be capable of accommodating over 5,000 people and used for sports and gladiatorial events.
2.4 |
Silchester was a significant regional town and located on the main system of Roman roads with routes radiating out from the town centre. This contrasts with the highway access now afforded to this area which consists of narrow lanes linking to adjoining villages with no direct access to the county`s primary road system. |
2.5 |
A visitor car park has been provided to the north west of the town walls and on site interpretation is limited to a number of information boards and a very small wooden museum of only five square metres in floor space, located some distance from the car park adjacent to the Parish Church. |
2.6 |
As the interest in the former Roman town grows, so the management of this site should continue to seek to balance the pressures for increased visitor numbers with the physical constraints of the site and the surrounding area under the guidance of the Panel. |
3. |
Management Plan |
3.1 |
The Management Plan seeks to consolidate past management practices and provide a blueprint for the future strategy. It forms the basis of a framework for decisions and policy. |
3.2 |
As mentioned above, the site is currently managed by the Estates Practice of Property, Business and Regulatory Services as part of the County Farms Estate. However, as interest in the site grows it is becoming more important that a balance is struck between conservation interests (principally archaeology) and recreational uses as the site is `discovered' by increasing numbers of visitors. |
3.3 Within the Plan is a recommendation to explore opportunities to improve visitor facilities to replace the small wooden building which is currently used to provide a temporary museum and is leased from Silchester Parish Council.
4. Interpretation, education and access
4.1 Improvements to the interpretation, education and access to Silchester Roman Town are being promoted in partnership with the Calleva Trust, (which sponsors the excavations at Silchester) the Hampshire Museums Trust and the Joint Advisory Panel.
4.2 The Heritage Lottery Fund are considering an application by the Hampshire Museums Trust on behalf of the Silchester Roman Town Advisory Panel for c£8,000 to fund an appraisal by an external consultant of the need for further public interpretation at Silchester and the potential impact and management implications of this. The result of this application should be known by mid February.
4.3 If the application is approved, the study will be completed by the end of July 2003. This coincides with the commencement of this summer's excavations and provides an opportunity to appraise public interest in this aspect and future benefits for volunteers.
4.4 The study will be undertaken in the context of the Management Plan, and considers a range of interpretation, including a visitor facility, new on-site graphics and an education and access officer. The results of the study will be the main basis for the next steps.
4.5 If the study does support a new visitor facility, then an application will be made to HLF. For planning purposes we can assume this will be based on the proposals considered by the Silchester Advisory Panel. The total cost is c£250,000 and includes revenue costs of an Education and Access Officer for 3 years.
4.6 The application will be made on the basis of a maximum contribution of 90% from HLF, with 10% partnership funding. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have indicated that they would certainly consider providing half of this amount. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will also need to agree an application for planning consent.
4.7 The results of any application will not be expected until early 2004.
5. Conclusions
5.1 The approval of the Executive Member for Policy and Resources of the draft Management Plan, provides a firm context for improving the interpretation of Silchester Roman Town.
5.2 The results of the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to assess the interpretative needs at Silchester will also be an important element in developing improved interpretation and access.
Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents
The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.
NB the list excludes:
1. Published works
2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the act.
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