Meeting documents

Apologies of absence were received from Hugh McCarthy, Mike Farley, Gary Marshall and Eliza Alqassar.

To declare any personal and prejudicial interests

Mr Cashman declared an interest as a Member of the National Trust and Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society.

of the meeting held on 8 November 2011 to be confirmed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2011 were confirmed.

Mr Kidd asked Members to note that the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework.`

Report of the County Archaeologist

Members received the report of the County Archaeologist on High Speed Two (HS2).

Mr Kidd reported the following:

• The Government announced the intention to proceed with HS2 in January.
• A timetable has been published
• The Government aims to lay a Hybrid Bill before Parliament by the end of 2013 which is a tight timeframe
• This means there is less than one year to produce an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is a short timeframe for such a large project.
• Paragraph 6 of the report highlights the main changes for Buckinghamshire and the Historic Environment.
• Different consultants are being asked to carry out the assessments on different parts of the route and not more than one consultant can carry out more than 2 assessments. This raises concerns how the assessments will be merged, how will consistently be achieved and how can residents be assured that the breaking up of the assessment of the route does not disadvantage local areas.
• There is 573 listed buildings within 1km of the line
• 0.29km of the route passes through Hartwell Park
• The route cuts through Grims Ditch
• 64km of the route passes through known areas of archaeological interest
• 107km is in the Chilterns AONB (excluding bored tunnel)
• In Turweston the cutting is 100m wide and there is huge variation in the scheme
• The real impact is much wider and this has not been specified in any detail
• There is a proposed viaduct in a major ecological setting of important heritage assets where visual or noise aspects should be a consideration
• There will be a huge impact on the character of the Chilterns and members need to get involved
• AONB is not registered in cultural chapter
• The National Trust is interested in pushing for tunnelling in the area
• Members may feel that they have not been given enough information to feed into the scope. E.g. Landscape effect
• Is the consultation really meaningful – considering the timeframe?

A Member commented that he had looked at the proposed route along the Missendens and said that the tunnel and cutting with ventilation shafts will be a major construction in the area. He raised concern about construction camps which would be needed for workers.

Mr Kidd invited Members to comment on the issues raised in the HS2 EIA Scoping Consultation. He asked Members to look at the document – ‘Cultural Heritage’ which had been circulated to Members and consider the points in relation to the landscape and noise. He asked for Members to email him any comments.

Mr Kidd then advised that HS2 Ltd had set up Community Forums and described the structure. It was suggested that there could be an advice note aimed at Community Forums.

Members agreed to:

a)     Email comments on issues raised by the HS2 EIA scoping consultation to Mr Kidd

b)     Establish a working party to advise member organisations and local groups on the heritage implications of HS2, especially through preparation of an advice note and input to the local planning forum and community forums.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Report of the Senior Archaeological Officer, Conservation and Archaeology

Members had received and were invited to note the report.

Mr Crank advised that one piece of fieldwork stood out – Manor Farm Quarry, Wolverton. He said that the waterlogged remains included two log ladders which were iron age, possibly bronze age and were in excess of 2 metres long in a waterhole feature. He said that the investigation was part of the Western Expansion area.

Report of the County Archaeologist

Members had received and were invited to note the report.

Mr Kidd informed the Forum that the County Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Service and Transport for Buckinghamshire had been merged to create a new ‘PLACE’ service. The Forum was advised that the County Archaeological Service no longer existed as a separate entity but had been combined with the natural environment, landscapes and rights of way definitive map in the Planning, Advisory and Compliance Service’s (PACs), environmental and information team.

Report of the Historic Environment Record Officer

Members had received and were invited to note the report.

Ms Wise advised that at the March 2011 meeting of the Forum it had been agreed that the top priority for HER enhancement in 2011/12 should be inputting locals buildings of note in Wycombe, Chiltern and South Bucks. She said that there had been progress on adding local buildings of note and that Wycombe and Chiltern Districts have been completed. She said that the progress on South Bucks District had been slower as unfortunately the volunteer had left and Julia will be carrying the work forward onto next year’s workload, although she hoped that this would be done quickly.

Members were informed that prompted by the offer of volunteers by the War Memorials Trust, a project was begun to input records of war memorial onto the HER. She said that unfortunately the promise of volunteers from the Trust was not forthcoming but that HER volunteers were currently working on the project and 70% had been completed. She said that once data entry is completed the intention is to visit the accessible memorials, photograph them and carry out a condition survey.

The Officer was asked if she knew the number of hits to the website. She advised that the statistics were not current available but that as soon as they were she would let the Forum know.

Reports of the Keeper of Archaeology and Finds Liaison Officer

Members were invited to note the County Museum Report.

Mr Thorn advised that the museum would be submitting a bid to the HLF for a major capital redevelopment of the resource centre at Halton to make it more fit for purpose. He also informed Members that as from next year the Museum would be run as a charity.

Report of the Regional Archaeologist

Members had received and were invited to note the report.

Mr Evans commented that Ms Pudney had been heavily involved in the New Inn, Stowe restoration project and said she had done a splendid job.

Report of the Diocesan Archaeological Adviser

Mr Evans reported on behalf of Mr Julian Munby, Diocesan Archaeological Advisor who advised that the DAC continues to give advice on the need for archaeological work where not covered by secular controls. He advised that reports had been received from:

·         Holy Trinity Church, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes – Archaeological Watching Brief (burials and ground formation from former castle)

·         High Wycombe Bellframe recording

·         Archaeological Watching Brief at Holy Cross Church, Slapton, (Church foundations and ditch)

·         St Mary’s Church, Wavendon, (Burials)

·         All Saints High Wycombe (Burial vaults, tile floor)

Ms Hands advised of the following:

·         There had been a dip in listed buildings/planning applications, although numbers were now starting to pick up.

·         Officers had now moved offices and were now based at the Gateway, Aylesbury.

·         Wendover and Padbury Conservation Areas had been approved

·         Aston Stanford was out to public consultation and Ashendon, Bishopstone, Sedrup and Hartwell would be going out to public consultation shortly.

·         Major development applications have been submitted for Hampden Fields and Fleet Marsden

·         The development at Bierton has been through the planning process and is subject to a Section 106 agreement.

·         AVDC is looking at a Highways Protocol regarding street signage, lighting etc in Conservation Areas.

·         The Heritage Towns Event was very popular.

Nothing to report

Mr Crank advised of the following:

·         MK Full Council passed a motion to undertake a local list. The team will meet with key stakeholders to take this project forward.

Mr Brushe advised of the following:

·         The Clock Tower in Cliveden is now complete

Mr Andrew advised of the following:

·         A meeting will be held with Chiltern Railways to progress work at High Wycombe Station

·         Bledlow has been sold

·         Three Conservation Areas are currently out to consultation: Amersham Hill, Leigh Street Furniture area and Priory Avenue.

·         Work at Fawley Court is ongoing

Report of the Treasurer

Members had received the report of the Treasurer.

The Forum was asked to approve a funding request from Milton Keynes Council, which was agreed.

The Forum was then asked to agree to a contribution request of £2000 for 2012/13 in accordance with the formula contained in the report. A Member commented that when the Emergency Recording Fund was initially started it was agreed that there would be an annual weighted contribution. He suggested that a £1000 contribution could be requested each year for the next five years, split in accordance with the weighting formula. In response it was commented that Officers may not have the authority to agree this and it was agreed that Officers would discuss with Cabinet Members if necessary.

Action: Conservation Officers

Mr Kidd advised that he had been contacted by Detective Inspector Harrison regarding a hate crime initiative. Mr Kidd asked Members to notify him if they had received any similar contact, commenting that Thames Valley Police were trying to promote the initiative within the Thames Valley area.

He also advised Members that he had been alerted to the fact that metal detectors were being used on the Berryfields site by individuals who did not have permission to be on the site.

The next meeting will be held on 26 September 2012, 2.30pm, Mezz 2, County Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks

The next meeting will be held on 26 September 2012, 2.30pm, Mezz 2, County Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks