I can reply to Chris's points as follows:
1. In Essex, we are creating an integrated record for the Historic
environment and our Exegesis database currently holds the old SMR plus all
Listed Buildings and all Registered Parks and Gardens. The Listed Buildings
are being added to our GIS at present. We are also embarking on an Historic
Landscape Characterisation project and have completed an extensive urban
survey. We are surveying industrial monuments and buildings on a thematic
basis and are investigating World War Two defences. To date 1400 of the
latter have been recorded. Collectively, these moves for us, and I imagine
for others, represent a great advance for us as we move towards a more
holistic approach to management of the historic environment. If I can use
this as a plug, I have offered a paper on this subject at this year's IFA.
2., 3 The title of our record is the Essex Heritage Conservation Record and
I tend to agree that the old SMR name is increasingly irrelevant.
4. I would hope that the name change should not matter, especially if the
development of the Record has been properly documented to make clear that it
includes the original SMR. In any case, I understand that the hedgerow
guidelines have an impact on adoption of the SMR by an authority and that we
might have to repeat this process.
5, We will be making a bid for the Record as a whole but we are also
involved in a New Opportunities Fund bid with the Essex Record Office.
6. Most of the preparation is done - I just need to find time to write the
bid!
Paul Gilman
Heritage Information and Records Manager
Heritage Conservation Group
Planning Division
Essex County Council
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