What is the historic environment, and what state is it in? What threats does it face, and how are these challenges being met? How does looking after our heritage benefit people and communities?
All of these questions are answered in Heritage Counts - the annual State of the Historic Environment Report. Heritage Counts is an audit of the nation’s heritage. It includes vital statistics on how much of our historic environment survives, what condition it is in, and how well it is being used and looked after. It also contains new research and analysis to illustrate particular themes and concerns.
Heritage Counts is produced by a consortium of heritage organisations, led primarily by English Heritage. As well as the main national document, a summary document outlines the main themes of the report. Separate regional reports are also available for each of the nine English regions.
Heritage Counts 2005
The most recent edition - Heritage Counts 2005 - focuses on countryside and rural heritage. It contains new research highlighting the condition of listed farm buildings, the loss of historic parkland since 1918, and the economic benefits of investing in the historic environment in rural areas.
The key messages are:
- The rural landscape is the product of human interaction with nature over many centuries. It can be managed effectively only if this interaction is understood, appreciated and reflected in policy and delivery. The heritage sector calls on government and its agencies to ensure that conservation of the natural and historic environments is effectively integrated at all levels.
- The heritage of our countryside is a national asset of incalculable value and is, in large part, maintained by those who manage the land. The heritage sector calls for adequate cross-governmental support for those responsible for the stewardship of the historic environment, through advice, targeted grant-aid and fiscal incentives.
- The uncertain future of farming in the face of global pressures will have major implications for the continued upkeep of cherished historic places and landscapes. The heritage sector seeks government support for new research to monitor and respond to the impacts of agricultural restructuring on all aspects of the historic environment.
- The historic environment is fundamental to our local and national sense of identity, and it makes a vital contribution to the economic regeneration of deprived areas. The heritage sector calls for greater partnership working to maximise the value of the historic environment as an engine for renewal in our small towns, villages and depressed rural areas, as well as in our major cities.
- The heritage sector welcomes the Government’s commitment to increase public access to the countryside and its unparalleled natural and historic inheritance. We invite all those who manage the countryside to work with us to broaden access to, and enjoyment of, our rural heritage by all members of society.
The Heritage Counts reports are available in PDF format on the Heritage Counts website at: www.heritagecounts.org.uk.
You can contact English Heritage Customer Services for a hard copy: 0870 3331181 or customers@english-heritage.org.uk.
