We have talked about having a ‘last updated’ feature on the Gateway, and I think that messages like this do enforce the need for this to happen – we only update once a year now, so as the year progresses our data becomes increasingly out of date, but users are not aware of this. But if such a feature becomes available it needs to be very obvious to users.
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of EDWARDS, Robert (Environment)
Sent: 03 March 2015 10:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [RICS Building Conservation Forum] On-Line HERs
I’ve seen more heritage statements in the last year which have used our public access database (despite a very explicit disclaimer) or the even shorter summaries we publish via the Heritage Gateway, than I have seen in the last ten :(
Rob Edwards
Historic Environment Records Officer
Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advisory Service
Tel: 01244 973667
Location: The Forum, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HS.
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tracy Matthews
Sent: 03 March 2015 10:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: [RICS Building Conservation Forum] On-Line HERs
Dear all,
I’ve been sent this via a colleague and thought the forum might have some views or wish to comment on this thread!
Tracy
******************************
Tracy Matthews
Archaeologist
Historic Environment Team
Winchester City Council
City Offices
Colebrook Street
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 9LJ
tel: 01962 848 380
email: [log in to unmask]
Corporate website: www.winchester.gov.uk
From: RICS Building Conservation Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 03 March 2015 09:46
To: RICS Building Conservation Forum
Subject: [RICS Building Conservation Forum] On-Line HERs
Peter Cross - Barton Willmore has started a new discussion:
For some time I have been monitoring the development of on-line HERs – initially the on-line resource was sketchy and unreliable but over the last year or so I have found that the information contained on both the Heritage Gateway and local/regional HERs has evolved into a highly usable resource. This, along with a review of the English Heritage on-line List and broader LPA Heritage planning pages, provides a relatively comprehensive starting point for understanding the historic environment of a site. This is never the only source of information I use but I no longer always visit the local records office as a matter of course – if I need to see a particular record I will do so but generally the on-line information has become the baseline data within my reports.
I have noticed however that some local authorities are saying, in effect, that their on-line HERs are suitable for local, amateur research but should not be used by a professional heritage consultant within a report such as might accompany a planning application. They suggest that an application is made to the heritage/conservation department and/or a visit is made in person to the record office to view the hard copy HER.
What is the experience and views of the Conservation Community? Should we be able to rely on the on-line data or do you still consistently contact the local offices? It seems something of a wasted effort to establish the Heritage Gateway and local HERs only for the information contained within them not to be considered entirely dependable. I cannot believe this national effort was made just to have a facility for amateur historians!
Para 128 of the NPPF requires that as a minimum level of detail for a planning application affecting the historic environment the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted. Does this mean, or can it be interpreted to mean, that the author of the report must have physically seen the hard copy HER? What status does the online version have?
I would add that I am talking solely about the built environment and not archaeological assessments where a more one-to-one approach with the regional archaeology officer is the norm.
I’d appreciate your thoughts on this.
Regards
Peter
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