Views play a vital part of our historic environment in both town and country, whether designed to be seen as a work of art or, as more commonly, a historical composite, the cumulative result of long development. 'Seeing the History in the View' is English Heritage's guidance for initial baseline analysis of the heritage significance in any selected view, followed by assessment of the impact on that significance of particular development proposals.
This guidance, which includes a worked example of a baseline analysis, explains English Heritage's own approach to views assessment and should be useful to local planning authorities, professionals and developers as well as the interested public. The existence of such views, often containing well-known landmarks and cherished landscapes, enriches our daily life, attracts vistors and helps our communities prosper.
'Seeing the History in the View' (2011) explains how the heritage significance of views can be assessed in a systematic and consistent way however these views have come into being. The method is compatible with the policies and principles set out in 'Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment' (2010) and the 'PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide' (2010) and draws on English Heritage's 'Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance' (2008) and, although originally developed for use in London, is intended to be applicable in all parts of the country and to both urban and rural environments.
Historically important views are among the most sensitive issues that local planning authorities have to consider, and this account of English Heritage's method of assessment is intended to help clarify this heritage aspect of the planning process, and promote national consistency. It should be especially useful to those commissioning and carrying out area-based studies as advocated by English Heritage and CABE in their joint 'Guidance on Tall Buildings' (2007).
English Heritage will apply this method to its own decisions in relation to developments affecting views, and we believe that planning authorities and other interested parties will benefit by adopting the same approach.
