Historic environment - Aim and objectives

Aim

The historic and cultural environment of the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be recognised, understood, appreciated and used, contributing directly to our understanding of ourselves, our sense of identity and pride of place. This rich inheritance will be conserved and enhanced for future generations, including through well-designed and appropriately-sited additions to the built environment.

Objectives:

HE1. Develop a research strategy for the historic environment of the Yorkshire Dales by 2009, and use it to target and encourage programmes of survey and research, including work by local archaeology and history groups and individual specialists.

HE2. By 2012 develop and update the Historic Environment Record for the Yorkshire Dales to incorporate the results of all publicly-funded research projects, and to make the informationwidely available electronically, and the paper records easily accessible.

HE3. Carry out surveys of historic buildings, landscapes and monuments and ensure that information on the condition of those that are designated is never more than five years old.

HE4. Conserve and enhance the most important buildings and structures in the National Park, so that the number of Listed Buildings ‘at risk’ falls from 5% (90) to no more than 1% (18) by 2020.

HE5. Conserve and enhance the most important archaeological sites and features, so that at least 95% of the Scheduled Monuments are in optimal condition by 2020.

HE6. Develop a code of practice for individuals and organisations carrying out building and conservation work in the Yorkshire Dales National Park by 2011.

HE7. Encourage use of local building materials and, by 2009, assemble and make available information on where these can be sourced.

HE8. By 2008, establish an annual built environment forum for the Yorkshire Dales to develop and promote high-quality, sustainable building design, construction and conservation.

HE9. By 2015 produce updated character appraisals for all 38 Conservation Areas and use these as a basis for developing management plans, taking action to enhance village environments in collaboration with local communities, and considering future designations.

HE10. Gather evidence by 2010 to assess the economic value of the National Park’s historic environment, and use this information to develop new opportunities for employment, training and business development, as well as direct investment in maintaining the historic environment.