The Isle of Wight Historic Landscape Characterisation Project

Historic Landscape Characterisation is a technique developed by English Heritage and various County Archaeological Units to identify and describe historic components in the landscape. Over half of all English counties have now carried out historic landscape characterisation (HLC) or are in the process of doing so. The Isle of Wight County Archaeologist, Ruth Waller, has secured grant funding from English Heritage to carry out a local HLC Project. This project started in September 2002 and will be completed in 2004.

HLC is based on a study of key elements in the landscape such as field patterns, woodland, downland, heathland and settlement. Areas with similar characteristics are plotted onto a digital map base using GIS (Geographic Information System) software and the characteristics of each area are entered onto a database. HLC data can then be used to produce maps covering many aspects of the historic landscape both at the present day and in the past.

The Archaeology and Historic Environment Service is collaborating with the Isle of Wight Countryside Section and the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Unit to ensure an exchange of data. All three Sections are now using identical GIS software following a review carried out by the Planning Services Best Value Officer. External funding for this software has been secured through the AONB Unit. The HLC Project will thus be able to use digitised ecological data held by the Countryside Section and, in turn, will supply the Countryside Section and AONB Unit with information on the Island’s historic landscape character. HLC results should form a significant input into the new AONB Management Plan which is currently in preparation.




The outcomes of the HLC Project will include the digital data generated by the project and a report prepared for English Heritage and the Isle of Wight Council. HLC will place archaeological sites and finds recorded within the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) in a landscape context and build information about the historic environment into the SMR. It is hoped that HLC data will inform Strategic Planning and Development Control, as well as contributing to Supplementary Planning Guidance. It should assist in the management of the historic environment by providing information for Conservation Area Appraisals, Village Design Statements, Countryside Stewardship proposals and Woodland Grants schemes.

HLC offers enormous potential for engaging Island communities and encouraging them to contribute local knowledge of the historic environment. Another area that might offer great educational benefits would be the use of HLC data to interpret the historic landscape to schools via an interactive website.

For information about the Isle of Wight Historic Landscape Characterisation Project, please contact:
Vicky Basford
Historic Landscape Characterisation Officer
County Archaeological Centre
61 Clatterford Road
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 1NZ

Tel/fax: 01983 823810

Email: Vicky.Basford@iow.gov.uk