The Council for British Archaeology

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2 December 1999:

Roman remains found on Welsh rugby site

Archaeologists have confirmed that the remains of a Roman settlement have been found at the proposed site of a planned Welsh rugby centre of excellence.

The site is close to Caerleon in south east Wales which was a major Roman garrison town from 75 AD until the third century AD.

Further details: BBC

1 December 1999:

Seahenge dated to spring 2050 BC

Seahenge, the remarkable ring of oak timbers recently uncovered on a UK beach, is exactly 4,050 years old.

Scientists working with English Heritage have come up with the age by combining a number of techniques, including complex mathematics.

The researchers are so confident in their findings they are even prepared to say that the central stump of the wooden ring came from a tree which was felled or died between April and June 2050 BC. They believe the other trees used for the surrounding posts were cut down in the spring of the following year, 2049 BC.

Further details: BBC | MSNBC

28 November 1999:

A Concordat between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Scottish Executive has been published by DCMS.

19 November 1999:

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport and its quangos

The DCMS Select Committee has published the Government's response to the Committee sixth report of the 1998-99 parliamentary session on the realtionship between DCMS and its quangos (HC888). It includes the following section:

"The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport indicated to the Committee his willingness to consider a fuller reference to conservation in the Department's high-level objectives; this will be taken forward as part of CSR2000.

The Government's overall approach to the heritage sector is set out in PPG15 Planning and the Historic Environment. The Government stands firmly by the general principles contained in that guidance, which it believes provide a sound basis for identifying and protecting the heritage, whilst at the same time ensuring that change can take place where it is clearly justified. A range of measures to streamline the current regime are already in hand as part of the Modernising Planning agenda.

The Government nonetheless fully acknowledges the need to maintain a strategic overview of the sector and respond appropriately to any new issues that may arise. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review in 1998, the Government confirmed English Heritage as the lead body for the historic environment. It therefore now proposes to ask English Heritage, within an appropriate framework, to consider current policies relating to the historic environment and to propose any ways in which these might need to be further developed. The Government is not persuaded of the case for establishing a Heritage Forum, given the status of lead body accorded to English Heritage. However, it looks to English Heritage to consult widely in undertaking the assessment referred to and in particular to seek the views of other funding bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and local authorities.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport maintains close liaison with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions over the Government's objectives for the historic environment and their relationship with policies relating to regeneration and environmental sustainability. For example, the preparation of the Urban White Paper is taking full account of the role of the built heritage in promoting regeneration. The Government will expect English Heritage to address itself to the responsibilities of both Departments in pursuing the remit outlined above."

18 November 1999:

GOVERNMENT TO TAKE 'CLOSE LOOK' AT HERITAGE POLICY
Alan Howarth reaffirms commitment to support historic environment (DCMS press release, 284/99)

Arts Minister Alan Howarth today announced that the Government is to take a fresh look at aspects of current policies relating to the historic environment.

The work - in conjunction with the DETR - will be carried out during next year and will focus on - among other issues - the relationship between heritage and tourism and the way in which the different bodies in the sector work together.

The Minister also reaffirmed the Government's "strong commitment to the nation's built heritage" and its determination to work for its preservation and enhancement.

Other questions likely to be addressed by the review include:
- what is the current condition of the historic environment and what may affect it in the future?
- is there an effective regime for dealing with those elements of the heritage most at risk?
- are heritage conservation skills available - and available where they are most needed?
- is there further scope for streamlining the various statutory procedures without adversely affecting the quality of decisions taken?
- how do present heritage policies connect with wider sustainable development objectives?
- how can more interest in the heritage be stimulated among young people and our ethnic minority communities?

The Minister was also clear that the work should proceed on the basis that the principles of the Government planning guidance - PPG 15 - will remain in place, particularly its emphasis on the balance between conservation and development. It will also need to take full account of current initiatives on regeneration, sustainable development and better regulation, and will also assume a continuation of the current level of resources for the heritage sector.

The first stage of this assessment will be carried out by English Heritage who will consult the other principal bodies in the sector as well as local government, developers and others with an interest.

English Heritage will report to the Culture Department and the DETR who expect to publish a statement before the end of 2000 setting out their vision for the heritage and future plans.

Speaking at the English Historic Towns Forum conference in Hereford, Alan Howarth said:
"This Government is fully committed to working for the preservation and enhancement of the nation's heritage. We cannot move forward into the future with assurance unless we know who we are and from where we have come. To be aware of the significance of the heritage and acknowledge our responsibility for protecting it is evidence of our maturity as a society.

"So the Government needs no persuading of the importance of the built heritage in our national life and the obligation to care for it, both for our own benefit and that of future generations.

"We now want to build further on these foundations. We do not believe in change simply for the sake of it. But we do need to monitor our policies, evaluate their impact and respond promptly and appropriately to any new issues that arise. With this in mind, we have decided to take a close look at various aspects of policy relating to the historic environment."

Sir Jocelyn Stevens, Chairman of English Heritage, welcomed the proposal to carry out the review:
"Our understanding of the heritage and the contribution it makes to the quality of life has changed radically in recent years. This is a great opportunity to review our approach and make sure that all the findings are carried through into protecting the historic environment. We are delighted that English Heritage - as the lead body for the heritage in England - will be playing a key role in this task."

Alan Howarth also gave details of the two issues he wants the review particularly to consider:

Heritage and Tourism
"Our historic environment is a major factor in the generation of tourism, both domestic and from abroad. Visitor numbers to historic buildings increased by 30% over the last twenty years. The challenge has been to manage these visitors properly. Given the right information and advice we frequently find that a visit can bring real insight and a truly memorable experience which causes no damage to the historic environment. But when things are poorly managed, problems result - too many visitors in one place and at one time bring congestion, pollution and heritage degradation. There is no pleasure in that for the visitor or for those who value our historic environment.

"The relationship between tourism and the heritage is a sensitive one and depends on a positive partnership between those responsible for historic sites and the tourism industry - it is right to consider the scope for further initiatives in this area."

How the sector can work more effectively together
"The structural changes we have introduced are already producing benefits but I suspect there is still room for improvement. So we shall want to take a look at the roles and responsibilities of each of the principal bodies concerned with the historic environment, the broad priorities they have set themselves and the way these inter-relate. We want to assess whether there is a sense of common purpose across the sector, whether the roles of the various bodies complement each other and - if there is room for improvement - how this can be achieved."

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