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A HERITAGE STRATEGY FOR CANTERBURY DISTRICT

A Heritage Strategy for Canterbury District

Action PlanPlanning Canterbury City Council, Military Road Canterbury CT1 1YW

A HERITAGE STRATEGY FOR CANTERBURY DISTRICT

ACTION PLAN 2019This Action Plan is the first in a series of plans which will be monitored and reviewed annually by Canterbury City Council to deliver the Canterbury District Heritage Strategy.

We are committed to delivering a heritage resource that is internationally recognised, accessible to everyone and celebrated for its outstanding significance, delivering long term

economic, social and environmental benefits to our district.

This Action Plan identifies Council strategies, projects and initiatives which meet the core objectives of the Heritage Strategy: Protect, Promote and Prosper. These, alongside initiatives already established across the district, respond to current priorities and will help to provide an effective framework for future working with partners.

COUNCIL STRATEGIESThe following strategies prepared and implemented by services across the Council have a strong heritage dimension. Positive heritage outcomes are identified across existing strategies, and where strategies are forthcoming heritage benefits will be integrated.

Strategy Heritage Dimension Implementation

Transport Strategy The Strategy contains a variety of public realm projects, for example connecting the three sites which together form the World Heritage Site; enhancing signage; lighting and surfacing to improve the public realm. Together these projects will enhance the setting of our heritage assets and improve access.

2014-2031

Whitstable Harbour Strategic Plan

This Strategy recognises Whitstable’s rich history and provides opportunities for marketing and promotion, access and engagement. The Strategy emphasises the importance of heritage for the continuing prosperity of the harbour.

2017-2022

Tree Management Policy Ensure our heritage trees are effectively maintained and protected. 2017

Open Spaces Strategy Recognise the importance of heritage as a principal feature of our open spaces, for example Dane John Gardens, Whitstable Castle and Westgate Gardens. Projects to improve facilities and access will enhance heritage assets.

2014-2020

Councillor Development Strategy

Ensure heritage is integral to Councillor training. 2015-2020

Green Infrastructure Strategy

Recognise that most of our green infrastructure assets are also our heritage assets, and can deliver long-term environmental and social benefits, for example the enhancement projects at Reculver and protection of our ancient woodland, such as Blean.

2018-2031

Air Quality Action Plan Improve air quality in the city of Canterbury and Herne village, which will protect historic buildings from premature deterioration as a result of poor air quality.

2018-2023

Museums & Galleries Vision

Actively promote our heritage and encourage widespread engagement. Offer learning opportunities and foster a sense of value in our heritage. Capitalise on the health and social benefits of heritage engagement.

2018-2022

Public Realm Strategy (Streets as Destinations)

Improve access to heritage and the experience for visitors by enhancing the setting of heritage assets and recognise the heritage value of our public spaces. Create spaces that enable physical connections and become destinations in their own right.

2008-2020

Riverside Strategy Improve public realm and accessibility to the riverside, highlighting the heritage value of the river and associated features.

2015-2020

Canterbury Destination Management Plan

Create a first-class cultural heritage city, and invest in heritage as the principal driver for tourism. The Council will contribute to achieving the objectives.

2018-2024

Cultural Strategy Place heritage at the heart of our cultural offer and capitalise on the benefits of our heritage assets.

Forthcoming

Asset Management Strategy

To consider the long-term protection and conservation of our historic buildings and other assets.

Forthcoming

Economic and Tourism Strategy

Promote and manage heritage to ensure it remains at the heart of our tourism and economic development.

Forthcoming

Town Centre Strategies for Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable

Ensure town centres maximise the potential of our heritage assets. Forthcoming

HERITAGE ACTION PLAN

COUNCIL HERITAGE INITIATIVESThe following table sets out projects and initiatives led by the Council, or in which we will play a key role in delivery. Projects are not listed in order of priority.

Project/ initiative Objectives Partners Timetable

Heritage Information and Communication ProjectCreate a new heritage web-page for Canterbury City Council.

Improve access to information to inform local residents, businesses and visitors.

2019/20

Westgate Towers Interpretation PanelInstall new interpretation panel.

Deliver new interpretation panel to enable understanding and engagement with our heritage.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust 2019/20

Standing Scheduled Monument Consent: City WallsEstablish a standing consent for maintenance of Canterbury’s City Walls.

To conserve and manage our heritage assets. Historic England 2019/20

Heritage Open DaysProvide funding to help support the Heritage Open Days, which give access to a wealth of heritage places, many normally closed to the public (13-22nd September 2019)heritageopendays.org.uk/

To enable access to properties to increase public awareness of our local heritage.

Canterbury Society 2019/20

Heritage at RiskPrepare an annual report providing an insight into Heritage at Risk within the district and the progress of key cases over the preceding 12 months.

To conserve and manage our heritage assets. Historic England 2019/20

Canterbury City Council Heritage Working GroupSet up new CCC officer working group to coordinate work on the Heritage Strategy.

Work collaboratively across departments to ensure the Heritage Strategy is effectively implemented.

2019/20

Canterbury Conservation Area Management PlanReview Conservation Area Appraisal and prepare Management Plan.

Proactive management of the conservation area to secure social, economic and environmental benefits.

Historic EnglandLocal residentsBusinessesOther organisations

2019/20

Shopfront Design GuideReview the Shopfront Design Guide (Supplementary Planning Document)

To provide guidance to help owners achieve high standards of shopfront design to conserve and enhance the built environment.

Historic EnglandLocal residentsBusinessesOther organisations

2020/21

Public Realm Project – CanterburyImprovements to St Margaret’s Lane and St George’s St, Canterbury.

Enhance and conserve public spaces and setting of heritage assets.

2020

UNESCO World Heritage Site CommitteeCommittee to prepare an updated WHS Management Plan.

Work collaboratively to prepare an updated Management Plan to assist decision-making.

World Heritage Site Committee

(CCC is represented on the Committee)

2019/20

Canterbury CastlePrepare and implement maintenance programme and review castle interpretation.

Prepare and implement maintenance programme to maintain castle and review interpretation.

Historic EnglandFriends of Canterbury Castle

2020/21

North Kent Discovery ProgrammeSupport the CITiZAN (Coastal and Intertidal Zone Archaeological Network) North Kent Discovery Programme. A CCC representative will sit on the local advisory panel alongside partners to help steer the project.

To better understand the heritage of our coastal and intertidal areas.

CITiZAN(CCC to be a member of the advisory panel)Other local partners

2019/21

COMMUNITY ROUND-UPIn addition to the Council-led initiatives this section details some of the many other heritage based initiatives, which other organisations are leading across Canterbury district in the coming year.

(For more information, please contact the project organisers) not listed in order of priority.

Kent Cricket Club 150th Anniversary CelebrationsEvents and activities in 2020 to celebrate 150 years of the Kent Cricket Club.kentcricket.co.uk

Becket 2020A programme of events developed by partners across the UK to commemorate Thomas Becket on the 850th year since his murder at Canterbury Cathedral. Events will include conference, choral performances, exhibitions, children’s workshops and talks in Canterbury.becket2020.com/

Canterbury Medieval Pageant, Canterbury Connected BIDThe 4th annual Medieval Pageant will take place on 6th July 2019, commemorating Henry II’s pilgrimage to Canterbury and apology to the Church in 1174. A colourful parade featuring historic characters, local schools, community groups and music. In 2017 the project was awarded the ‘Lasting Impressions’ award at the Kent Tourism Awards. canterburybid.co.uk/canterbury-medieval-pageant/

Whitstable Harbour Day, Whitstable MaritimeThis year’s Harbour Day will be held on 3rd August 2019; organised by Whitstable Maritime, the festival celebrates local maritime heritage with a host of vessels offering access and trips, craft, food, drink and much more. whitstablemaritime.org.uk/news/

Whitstable Maritime Gamecock Conservation ProjectOngoing volunteer project to restore the 1907 Oyster Yawl, now on the Register of National Historic Vessels.whitstablemaritime.org.uk/gamecock-restoration/

Timescapes KentVolunteer group working a variety of projects including the Tankerton Wreck excavations, Old Brig exca vations at Seasalter, the Tankerton Tapestry illustrating our war-time coastal defences, and a variety of community and education projects.en-gb.facebook.com/TimescapesKent/

Whitstable MuseumWhitstable Community Museum and Gallery will welcome the Invicta Engine to their collections this year; their permanent galleries, temporary exhibitions, archives and events are open to everyone.whitstablemuseum.org/

Herne Bay Seaside MuseumThe museum offers a programme of seashore walks and evening talks alongside their permanent exhibitions.theseasidemuseumhernebay.org/

Canterbury Connected BIDThe findings of the BID heritage scoping document to be used as the basis for scoping potential heritage initiatives within the City Centre

A HERITAGE STRATEGY FOR CANTERBURY DISTRICT

Prepared by Planning Policy and Heritage Team, Canterbury City Council. July 2019

Planning Canterbury City Council, Military Road Canterbury CT1 1YW