Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy and Resources

Executive Member, Recreation and Heritage Item 6

11 November 2004

18 November 2004

Silchester Roman Town - Proposed Conservation Management Plan

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

and the Director of Hampshire Museums Service

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

That approval be given to:

(i)

Proceed with the preparation of a Conservation Management Plan for Silchester Roman Town

(ii)

Develop a brief for this Plan in consultation with partners

(iii)

Apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the costs of consultants needed to co-ordinate the preparation of the Plan and associated consultation

(iv)

Thank the Silchester Roman Town Advisory Committee for their continuing commitment to Silchester and seek their support for the preparation of the Plan

(v)

Thank the Hampshire Musuems Trust for their work in support of the public interpretation of Silchester and its educational benefits, and seek their support in the submission of the revised application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

(vi)

Report back with the outcome of the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

2

Reasons

2.1

To promote the progress stewardship of Roman Silchester.

2.2

This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy:

Aim 2 - Stewardship of the environment by the preparation of the proposed Conservation Management Plan will assist the County Council with its management of its landholdings at Silchester which has international historical importance.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Maintaining the status quo, continuing to rely on the current Management Plan and not considering the long-term conservation and interpretation of the site in the light of increased knowledge of the site and public needs.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

None

5

Dispensation

Not applicable

6

Reasons for the matter being dealt with, if urgent

Not applicable.

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy and Resources

Executive Member, Recreation and Heritage Item

11 November 2004

18 November 2004

Silchester Roman Town - Proposed Conservation Management Plan

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

and the Director of Hampshire Museums Service

How the conclusion in this report fits in with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of the following Corporate Aims:

Aim 2 - Stewardship of the environment by the preparation of the proposed Conservation Management Plan will assist the County Council with its management of its landholdings at Silchester which has international historical importance.

1

Summary

1.1

This report concerns the future management of the site of the former Roman town at Silchester, the majority of which is owned by the County Council. It outlines the opportunities to improve the interpretation, education and public access to the site of Silchester Roman Town, within the constraints of the site, and in a way which enhances the special quality of Silchester.

1.2

The Executive Member for Policy and Resources approved a Management Plan on 16 January 2003 as a basis for consultation with interested partners and continued good stewardship of this highly important and sensitive site.

1.3

The Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, noting this Management Plan, authorised the Director of Recreation and Heritage to develop proposals to improve public access, interpretation and educational facilities in line with the management plan.

1.4

It was considered important to improve the heritage understanding of Silchester whilst respecting the conservation of the site, part of which is owned and managed by English Heritage, and the interests of the local residents and the agricultural management of the County Council's land under a Farm Business Tenancy.

1.5

The Management Plan that has already been approved concentrated on the land uses. The Conservation Management Plan is a means of considering the interpretation of the ruins in greater detail, including the inter-relationship of their investigation, protection and interpretation.

1.6

An application was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund by the Hampshire Museums Trust to fund an appraisal of the need for further public interpretation at Silchester and the potential impact and seek their support in the possible submission of the revised application to the Heritage Lottery Fund based on the findings of the Conservation Management Plan.

1.7

This report is chiefly concerned with the response by the Heritage Lottery Fund and a recommended course of action by the County Council.

2

The need for a Conservation Management Plan

2.1

The Heritage Lottery fund, while appreciating the importance of Silchester and Hampshire County Council's stewardship, said they would only consider supporting improved interpretation and access in the context of a modern, comprehensive, conservation management plan against which any proposals for additional interpretation and access could be considered. The HLF stated their readiness to consider financial support for the creation of such a plan.

2.2

In recent years there has been a marked increase in attention paid to the former Roman town site largely generated by the extensive archaeological research by Reading university. This has involved a systematic programme of excavations at key locations during the summer months.

2.3

However, the interpretive and visitor facilities are very limited and a modern comprehensive management plan is now required to establish the fundamental conservation aims of management, and is an essential pre-requisite for considering any proposals to change the interpretation and access to the site.

2.4

Currently the County Council`s land at Silchester is managed within the County Farms` portfolio by the Estates Practice of Property, Business and Regulatory Services, with advice from the County Archaeologist in the Environment Department, and the Countryside Service of the Recreation and Heritage Department.

2.5

The County Council set up the Silchester Roman Town Advisory Panel to provide advice and to involve other interested organisations and people from outside the County Council, notably Silchester Parish Council and the Calleva Trust (which sponsors the important continuing archaeological research by Reading University). The Panel has been effective in providing a local forum to discuss and guide decisions on the way that the site has been managed to date.

2.6

The County Council officers and the stakeholders agree that a comprehensive Conservation Manager Plan is needed and support efforts to establish one.

3

The Preparation of a Conservation Management Plan

3.1

The aims of the Conservation Management Plan are to:

_ Assess the significance of the different characteristics of the site

_ Assess the issues which affect the site

_ Set out possible policies which could be applied to the site.

3.2

The policies would relate to:

_ The overall management of the site and the co-ordination of management of the site between the different owners

_ the conservation of the fabric of the surviving town walls and the co-ordination of this site management

_ the nature and quality of the visitor experience and the co-ordination of this with the management of the site

_ the impact of visitor management and site management on the local communities

_ the relationship between policies and resources, including both current issues and changing policy to reflect predicted future issues.

3.3

Although there is a wealth of information and expertise within Hampshire County Council and other stakeholders it is considered that, specialist consultants will be needed to lead the preparation of the Conservation Management Plan.

3.4

It is important that the consultant is able to use the annual archaeological excavation of the site as an important opportunity to gain evidence and consult the many participants and visitors to this key element of the existing interpretation of Silchester.

With this in mind, the following timetable is proposed:

_ November 2004 - complete the brief for the plan

_ November 2004 - consult on draft brief

_ December 2004 - application to HLF to support costs of study

_ December 2004 - response from HLF - assuming bid is successful

_ Jan/Feb 2005 - select consultant

_ March/April 2005 - notice period to consultant and preliminary work

_ May-July 2005 - study, and preparation of draft plan

_ August 2005 - report prepared and submitted

4

Silchester Roman Town Advisory Committee

4.1

The Advisory Committee was created by the County Council and consists of representatives of the County Council (Cllr K Chapman), Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Silchester Parish Council, English Heritage, Reading University and the Calleva Trust.

It is chaired by Honorary Alderman Dudley Keep and administered by the Chief Executive's Department.

4.2

The Advisory Committee has proved an effective mechanism for communication and co-operation between the County Council and other stakeholders, and this role will continue to be important in the future in informing the Conservation Management Plan and implementing a number of the likely outcomes.

5

Hampshire Museums Trust

5.1

The Hampshire Museums Trust (HMT) (through its Director of Development, Ian Smith) took the lead and prepared the initial bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The HMT has continued to be an active partner throughout the subsequent discussions and has offered to lead the creation of the proposed new bid to secure funding for the preparation of the Conservation Management Plan.

6

Conclusions

6.1

The process of the first submission to the HLF for a study to support improved interpretation, education and public access at Silchester, has also confirmed the need for a modern, comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. This will provide the context within which future decisions may be made on any changes in the interpretation and visitor facilities and wider management of the site.

6.2

With the agreement of stakeholders, it is recommended that the Heritage Lottery Fund is approached to help fund this study.

6.3

A draft brief has been prepared for a study to prepare the plan, and this should be finalised as a basis for consultation with stakeholders.

6.4

The Silchester Roman Town Advisory Committee is thanked for their continuing commitment to the stewardship of Silchester and will be an important forum for consultation. It is proposed that links with the Advisory Committee should be strongly maintained through the County Council representative.

6.5

The Hampshire Museums Trust is thanked for its work to achieve a better public understanding of Silchester and the Trust's offer to co-ordinate a revised bid to HLF is welcomed.

7

Consultation with local Member

7.1

Councillor K Chapman has been consulted on this project/scheme and supports the proposals recommended.

Recommendations

That:

approval be given to :

1

Proceed with the preparation of a Conservation Management Plan for Silchester;

2

Develop a brief for this Plan in consultation with partners and to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the costs of consultants needed to co-ordinate the preparation of the Plan and associated consultation;

3

Thank the Silchester Roman Town Advisory Committee for their continuing commitment to the management of the site and seek their support for the preparation of the Plan;

4

Thank the Hampshire Museums Trust for their work in support of the public interpretation of Silchester and its educational benefits, and seek their support in the submission of the revised application to the Heritage Lottery Fund; and

5

Report back with the outcome of the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.