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Hadrian's Wall and its associated features are the most complex and best preserved of all the frontier works of the Roman Empire comprising the Wall itself, the Vallum, which probably marked the rear edge of the Wall zone, 16 forts (surrounded by civilian settlements) along or near the Wall, the Roman towns of Carlisle and Corbridge lying behind the Wall, and outpost forts protecting the approaches from the north. There are also many earlier Roman military works such as marching camps and permanent bases along the east-west Stanegate road which may itself have begun as a control line before the decision was taken to build the Wall. The landscape of the Tyne-Solway isthmus is very varied. In the east, on Tyneside, the setting of the Wall is predominantly urban. In east Northumberland, the country is mainly arable and open while in the central sector the ground rises to over 300 metres above sea level and the land-use is pastoral. East Cumbria too is pastoral, except for the built-up areas of the City of Carlisle. West of Carlisle, the landscape changes again as the defences run along the edge of the Solway tidal marshes, and there are further differences along the west Cumbrian coast, part open, part industrial and urban. | |
Throughout the length of the Wall, the Roman remains survive remarkably well. Even in the most developed areas substantial remains are visible. In east Northumberland, the Wall itself is largely buried but its associated earthworks are visible for many miles and have had major effects on the post-Roman landscape. Other features, such as the Roman town of Corbridge, are well preserved. In the central sector, the remains of the Wall and associated features are prominent and often dominate the local landscape. In this area too, other traces of Roman occupation such as the Stanegate road and its forts are well preserved as are more ephemeral features such as marching camps. To the west the archaeology is less obvious but still visible in places as earthworks.
Investigation has shown that remains survive even beneath urban Carlisle and down the Cumbrian coast at sites such as Maryport. The significance of the Wall corridor in archaeological terms lies both in its complexity and the degree of survival of the Roman military and civilian remains. This was recognised by the designation of the Hadrian's Wall Military Zone as a World Heritage Site in 1987. Because of the size of the World Heritage Site and the variety of different land uses to which it is subject, there is a particular need to develop a comprehensive management plan. Pressures on the World Heritage Site include development, tourism, and agriculture. In urban and other contexts, the World Heritage Site and its setting could be harmed by inappropriate or large scale development, including mineral extraction. Tourism can be an immense advantage to the region through the generation of additional wealth and of resources, but requires sympathetic management so that the archaeology and landscape, and the interests of those who live in the area, are properly protected in accordance with the principles of sustainable tourism accepted by Government and by the English Tourist Board. Agriculture which has undergone major changes within the Hadrian's Wall area as well as elsewhere, can also create problems as pressures to intensify land use and to seek greater efficiency have increased.
Unlike many other World Heritage Sites, less than 10 % of Hadrian's Wall and its associated features are managed primarily for conservation purposes. Most is owned and occupied by private individuals or other bodies who, while conscious of, and responsive to the needs of conservation, do not have these as their primary objective. The World Heritage Site is part of a living and working landscape and has to remain so, and there are more than a dozen local authorities with planning, tourism, and economic development remits, together with a large number of central government agencies and departments with varying responsibilities for planning, conservation of the natural and man-made environment, access, agriculture, forestry, and economic development.Unlike many other World Heritage Sites, less than 10 % of Hadrian's Wall and its associated features are managed primarily for conservation purposes. Most is owned and occupied by private individuals or other bodies who, while conscious of, and responsive to the needs of conservation, do not have these as their primary objective. The World Heritage Site is part of a living and working landscape and has to remain so, and there are more than a dozen local authorities with planning, tourism, and economic development remits, together with a large number of central government agencies and departments with varying responsibilities for planning, conservation of the natural and man-made environment, access, agriculture, forestry, and economic development. To be effective in these circumstances, any management plan has to have the tacit assent, at least, of a very large number of individuals and organisations to its objectives, and some willingness on their part to use their existing powers and resources to achieve those objectives. Given these circumstances and the need to conserve the World Heritage Site within a living and worked-in landscape, the Management Plan has to achieve a balance between 4 major needs:
As the Government's principal advisor on the built and archaeological heritage, EH has taken the lead in the preparation of the Management Plan. It was clear from the outset that obtaining consensus on the Plan's objectives in both the public and private sectors was essential and the development of the Plan has been led in such a way as to encourage this. From the start a wide range of bodies, including representatives of farmers and landowners, have been involved in the preparation of drafts on particular aspects of the plan and in commenting on the Plan itself. A first consultation draft was issued in July 1995 and over 800 copies were circulated together with 30,000 summary leaflets. Following this consultation process, a second draft was published in February 1996 and over 400 copies were circulated for comment leading to further amendments of the Plan. The process has been reinforced by a large number of meetings with a very wide range of bodies and individuals.
This lengthy consultation process has served 2 main purposes: the final document has benefited from much consideration and is more likely to achieve acceptance, and the process of discussion has exposed the issues involved, and the differing viewpoints held, to many of those involved in a way that has not previously occurred. This in itself has helped to develop more receptive attitudes to the need for a Plan and to the problems facing a wide variety of sectors involved with the World Heritage Site.
The finalised Plan proposes a tight, mapped definition for the World Heritage Site itself, consisting of its archaeological core. Around this is proposed a Setting to be agreed with each local authority. The Setting would serve as the basis for planning policies to protect the World Heritage Site in its landscape and also as the area for proactive support for landscape management schemes which would need to be agreed with landowners and farmers. This provides the buffer zone now required by UNESCO.
The Plan sets out guiding principles for the next 30 years, and objectives for the next 5 years. The Plan also proposes the establishment of a small co-ordination unit to act as the champion of the World Heritage Site and to continue to build the consensus and partnerships necessary to make it effective. The unit will be part of EH for at least 2 years but will work to a Management Plan Committee which will be made up of all those bodies involved in the area. There will also be a programme of wider communication. The final version of the Plan will be published in July, 1996.
