Planning & Development matters — a policy statement
The Society was founded in 1955 in response to locally expressed anxiety
that building sites and other development in and around the town should be
monitored to ensure that "nothing of historical interest should be
unwittingly destroyed" and that records should be made of any discoveries.
This was in response to the many changes
going on in Cirencester at that time. Nearly 50 years on, the protection of
designated and recognised archaeological sites and the requirement to consider
archaeological and historical implications in development proposals have
advanced dramatically, and the picture is now rather different.
However vigilance is still a basic
requirement and the Society's original role of watchman and guardian remains as
valid today as it was originally, although to be expressed now in a rather
different environment. There is also a much stronger acceptance of and
commitment to the community value of archaeology and historic buildings.
This policy statement is intended to set
out the Society's role at the beginning of the 21" century, and
specifically to clarify its input into the planning process as well as generally
to the whole process of consultation on development matters in and around
Cirencester.
The Society WILL :
•
seek to become a recognised consultee of the Local Planning Authority on
matters of archaeological and historical significance in and around -the
Cirencester district.
•
join forces with the existing consultation meeting arrangements
established via Cirencester Town Council and the Civic Society, in order to
contribute to those existing arrangements and thereby avoid duplication and
additional bureaucracy.
•
make representations directly to the Local Planning Authority as part of
this consultation process.
•
confine itself largely to matters of archaeological and historical
relevance and not necessarily express views on wider civic or community matters.
•
support other similar bodies where views are also shared.
•
support the work of professional agencies such as Cotswold Archaeological
Trust, but will not necessarily align itself with their views on any particular
development issue.
Endorsed by and on behalf of Cirencester
Archaeological & Historical Society
22nd January 2001
