Training begins for Winchester Future 50
More than 30 keen volunteers took part in a training session to begin the Winchester Future 50 pilot project which will support the management of conservation areas in the district.
Volunteers gathered at Winchester Cathedral where they learnt from members of the Historic England team, Martin Small and Rob Lloyd-Sweet, about the significance and setting of all types of heritage assets including conservation areas and were given guidance on architectural photography from James Davies, to help them record the assets.
Winchester Future 50 is a unique pilot project to aid the production of conservation area management plans which will help look after these important places for the next 50 years and beyond. Up-to-date information and photos will be gathered by volunteers through a series of surveys focused on specific places and the important items within them.
The two initial areas that the project will look at is Winchester - the Walled Town and St Giles Hill.
Cllr Caroline Brook, Portfolio Holder for Built Environment, said:
“It is so important that we protect, enhance and respect the district’s rich heritage and it is great that this pilot scheme is moving forward to ensure that the unique characteristics and history is preserved in these areas.
“Thank you to all the volunteers who have given their time to this project which I am sure will be a big success and go a long way to ensuring that these areas will be well managed for decades to come.“
The surveying is due to begin at the end of October with the project running until December 2019 and during this time Winchester will see numerous volunteers out on the streets photographing and filling in survey forms .
For further information on the project please visit http://www.winchester.gov.uk/historic-environment/winchester-future-50 or contact the project team: winchesterfuture50@winchester.gov.uk