Selected projects
4.19.14 Avebury landscape assessment
The Avebury complex of sites and monuments represents a unique surviving example of outstanding human endeavour in Neolithic times and later. Avebury Henge stone circle, Silbury Hill, West Kennet Avenue, and other associated sites are important features within the open setting of the North Wessex Downs. Seen in juxtaposition to later historic features, including small villages, designed parklands, and large manor houses, the ancient monuments contribute greatly to a distinctive historic and cultural landscape. The particularly rich assemblage of archaeological sites, both visible and buried, provides a vivid record of past landscape patterns and use. Indeed, these monuments and features have exerted a considerable visual and cultural influence on the surrounding landscape for almost 4000 years. Since 1987, the outstanding universal value of the Avebury complex has been recognised by its listing as a World Heritage Site under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
A landscape assessment and planning framework study for the Avebury World Heritage Site was undertaken by Chris Blandford Associates for English Heritage during 1997. This work, along with other research on visitor management and traffic issues, was a key component in the preparation of the management plan for the site. Guidance on the preparation of such plans is provided by ICOMOS UK. The Consultation Draft of the Plan for Avebury was presented by the Avebury World Heritage Site Working Party in April 1998.
The study provides a basis for the management plan's approach to planning and development control issues, an integrated assessment of landscape character, and identifies a series of key management opportunities for the enhancement of the World Heritage Site area. Appraisal of the World Heritage Site considered the physical, historical, and cultural influences on the character of the existing landscape. The rural landscape setting of the site within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty generally exhibits a strong historic character, with many features of significant conservation value. Farming is intensive, however, and an erosion of historic character and damage to archaeological sites and monuments is evident throughout the landscape.
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A more detailed analysis highlighted the importance and sensitivity of the immediate setting of the monuments, and identifies the historical and landscape features that contribute to this. Three levels of visual sensitivity were identified that are used to guide protective polices and priorities for the proposed World Heritage Site Management Plan. The protection of archaeology and sympathetic land management greatly depends on resolving wider issues including management of visitors, the impact of intensive farming regimes, and control of development not subject to planning consent. Critical planning and landscape issues for the management plan include: the conservation and improvement of both the immediate and wider settings of the key monuments through the expansion of permanent grassland; the sensitivity of the landscape to new tree and hedgerow planting; concern over the protection of the visual core that falls outside of the current World Heritage Site boundary; and provision of visitor access and interpretative material sympathetic to the land management needs for the settings of key monuments. In addition, the development of strong historic landscape conservation policies for the Local Plan was identified as of key importance. Eighteen separate landscape units or management compartments' were identified and defined within the World Heritage Site. For each, a summary of the physical, historic, and archaeological characteristics, key issues, and management objectives were provided. Priorities for action are highlighted and the mechanisms and practical constraints of implementing the management plan are considered. The study as a whole demonstrates the importance of fully understanding the landscape context and setting of archaeological monuments and how this can influence the future management of key historic sites.