Assessment Framework

This part of the website summarises work in progress which has piloted the development of area and site-based assessment, based on an understanding of the character, significance and potential for and sensitivity to change of farmsteads in their landscape context.

Why is it needed?

National planning policy and guidance places local distinctiveness and sense of place at the heart of developing sustainable communities. In the case of farmsteads, however, these concepts have not been adequately defined, the result being uncertainty on the impact of development proposals and how to manage and direct future change. Limited knowledge of historic farmsteads in their broader context, and the lack of a consistent framework for understanding and valuing farmsteads and their buildings, has been identified as the greatest obstacle to the targeting of priority features and areas for grant aid, and the development of local plan policies that draw upon an understanding of historic farmsteads in their local and broader context.

Developments in land management and planning policy and guidance, as well as research, guidance and new policy led by English Heritage (http://www.helm.org.uk/server/show/nav.19600) has heightened the need to:

1. develop evidence-based approaches that are based upon an understanding of the historic character and adaptability of farmstead sites and buildings in their landscape context
2. be aware of the pressures placed upon landowners and farmers, and the range of options for future change and their potential impacts
3. inform land management and planning policy and guidance that are sensitive to local character and distinctiveness
provide applicants with a clear and structured framework for assessment, and planning officers with the confidence to be proactive
4. inform options and proposals for change, and facilitate pre-application discussions and decision-making, that are based upon this understanding

English Heritage's Characterisation Team is collaborating with a wide range of partners, in order to develop new area and site-based tools for informing and managing change.

Downloads

For guidance developed with the High Weald AONB, and the development of thinking on the development of criteria for sustainable development in areas of dispersed settlement, see http://www.highweald.org/

Farmsteads Assessment: A Discussion Document

This document summarises work on the assessment of farmsteads in their landscape context, based on an understanding of their historic character, significance and adaptability. It has been developed in consultation with a wide range of partners, in particular the Bolton Abbey Estate in North Yorkshire and the High Weald AONB.
Click to download (PDF: 188KB)

Assessing Character and Significance Guidance

This preliminary guidance can be used with the area statements and the Assessment Framework in order to understand the inherited character and significance of individual farmsteads, or those in an area.
Click to download (PDF: 740KB)

Bolton Abbey Report

This report, which will be available in late August, sets out the results of a pilot project on the Bolton Abbey Estate in North Yorkshire, which experimented with the Assessment Framework in order to determine the long-term options for change across the estate.
A report is expected for download in early September.

Natural England & English Heritage Guidance notes for HLS Targeting of Historic Farm Buildings

Guidance Notes for Targetting Farm Buildings in Higher Level Stewardship. This guidance has been produced as an interim measure to support Natural England advisers who are assessing farmsteads and their buildings for Historic Building Restoration in Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). Over time and in response to practice, this guidance will be developed further. The guidance notes are linked to a scoresheet.
Click to download Guidance Notes for Targetting in HLS (PDF: 680KB)
Click to download Scoresheet for HLS Guidance Notes (PDF: 92KB)