Historic Environment - Conservation

The Isle of Wight Council Archaeology and Historic Environment Service (IWCAHES), is currently undertaking a historic landscape characterisation study.  When completed this will describe the historic landscapes and their key features and elements across the Isle of Wight.  More information about the historic basis of the landscapes that we see today, will be invaluable when considering the importance of the historic environment to landscape character and the distinctiveness of the AONB.

Some archaeological features within the AONB are scheduled monuments, and are thus afforded statutory protection.  Protection is afforded to all of the archaeological features of the historic environment within the AONB, through inclusion in the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR).  This record is maintained by IWCAHES.

The historic settlement pattern within the AONB is a mixture of small, loosely nucleated settlements and dispersed settlements, reflecting that of the Island generally.  Settlements often occur at the base of the chalk downs, such as at Mottistone, Brighstone and Shorwell.  The form of these settlements varies, and small nucleated clusters such as Calbourne, Niton and Shorwell, church-manor complexes such as Arreton and Gatcombe, and linear settlements such as Chillerton all occur.  Yarmouth and Newtown, historic ports on natural inlets from the sea, are both planned mediaeval boroughs.  This variety of settlement form is an essential part of the landscape character within the AONB.  Conservation Area status for many of these historic towns and villages, seeks to retain this character by controlling and influencing proposed changes.

The Isle of Wight AONB is unusual in that there is no one strong vernacular building style.  Various traditional designs reflect the complexity of the geology of the Island, and the materials that were available locally.  As with land use, much of the traditional architecture of lowland southern England can be seen on the Island - from chalk and thatch; stone and slate; brick and tile to shiplap timber clad cottages.  The Countryside Design Summary (Isle of Wight Council 1998), gives further details of these distinctive building styles, and an overview of their context within the Island's landscape.  Many buildings of particular merit are given Listed Building status, which brings a greater level of protection and control over any change.  The Buildings Record, maintained by IWCAHES, provides a record of all pre-Victorian buildings.

Section 6 of the Unitary Development Plan, 'Building conservation and the historic environment', provides the context for the protection of the historic environment within the AONB.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is currently reviewing the designation and management regimes for the historic environment, and the legislation that supports them.  It is likely that the review will make recommendations for delivering sustainable management, through the mechanisms of management plans and partnerships.  Attention should be drawn to the potential of agri-environment schemes, for the sustainable management of the historic environment in rural areas of the Island.

English Heritage's 'State of the Historic Environment Report' (November 2002), provides an assessment of the threats and challenges facing the historic environment both nationally and with a regional overview.

In addition, English Heritage is currently undertaking a desination review.

Key features and elements of the historic environment within the AONB are as follows:-

• buried archaeology and palaeoenvironments;
• historic buildings;
• industrial and military structures;
• historic parks and gardens;
• historic ports, the use of estuaries and maritime archaeology, submerged landscapes;
• earthworks and structural remains;
• settlement and field patterns;
• managed and farmed landscapes;
• ancient woodlands and commons;
• trackways, paths and boundaries;
• place names.