North West region Archaeological Research Framework
In the 1996 review document, Frameworks for Our Past, English Heritage identified the need for greater emphasis on research within modern archaeology. The survey suggested that while archaeology was becoming increasingly professionalised, the work being undertaken was seen to have less focus on current research issues. The recommendation was the creation of Research Frameworks for each of the regions of England to provide a context and common focus for archaeological work.
The creation of a Research Framework for archaeology in the North West was initiated by English Heritage and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (North West). Work on developing the Research Framework for the North West started with a conference 'Framing the Past' held in Lancaster in 2001, and began as a full-time project in August 2003. It was completed in May 2007.
With the support of Historic England, The Research Framework was revisited and revised by the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (North West) between 2016 and 2022. This included a detailed review of archaeological work undertaken in the region over the last ten years, and how the research questions and objectives for archaeology and the built historic environment have evolved.
Historic landscape characterisation
Cumbria, is made up of a mosaic of different places and environments, each with their own unique character. This has been created through centuries of change and development and both tells a story about the past and provides the local distinctiveness that gives people a sense of place and historic identity. The historic landscape is varied and greatly appreciated as an asset for the future.
Historic landscape characterisation programme
In partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority, a programme of work sponsored by Historic England was completed to map the elements of the historic landscape using a Geographical Information System (GIS). The outcome is a series of interactive GIS-based maps that characterise the distinctive, historic dimension of today's environment. By using a GIS, different aspects of the landscape can be examined in isolation, for example, maps of former areas of parliamentary enclosure can be produced and those areas featuring some of the area's most ancient farms identified.
Using historic landscape characterisation to inform decision making
Historic landscape characterisation can be used to inform the preparation of future strategies for the historic environment, landscape and sustainability. It is a useful tool when undertaking environmental assessment at the strategic level to inform minerals planning policies for example, or to assess the allocation of development land.
The results of the characterisation programme are being used to encourage the sustainable management of the important asset that is the historic environment. Historic landscape characterisation is informing land-use planning, regeneration and environmental policies. Across the area it has shown that successful programmes of regeneration and new development are significantly enhanced when their planning is informed and influenced by a place's historic character, distinctiveness and identity.