A comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of the planning system in protecting the cultural heritage values invoked by battlefields in England and Scotland in the face of developmental pressure.

The governments of England and Scotland have placed an impetus on delivering economic growth and new housing, creating demands on land for development. This demand has impacted on historic battlefields, which have been the focus of planning applications in relation to these areas. The general and dedicated protection measures afforded to battlefields in England and Scotland through the planning system positions them as valued heritage and cultural resources. In addition, it has been acknowledged that battlefields are culturally significant places which hold an important place in a nation’s consciousness. However, little research has been done which seeks to understand the specific cultural heritage values which are invoked by historic battlefields and how well these are protected through the planning system.

To address this gap in knowledge, this dissertation evaluates the effectiveness of the English and Scottish conservation and development management systems in protecting historic battlefields and establishes the broad range of cultural heritage values associated with them. Through a comprehensive literature review, historic battlefields and sites of conflict were positioned as places which invoke a range of emotions, can be sites which can convey a strong sense of place, offer opportunities for education, recreation and social contact and have a strong symbolic and spiritual value. In addition, it was noted that the values and emotions invoked by battlefields and sites of conflict can be shaped through social memory and identity, literary influences, film and media.

Four case studies investigated planning applications impacting on historic battlefields in England and Scotland. These evaluated the extent to which public perception of value in regard to each battlefield was complementary with their protection and management. In keeping with the literature review, it was noted that each historic battlefield invoked a unique range of cultural heritage values, with these values influencing public objection within each case study. Analysis of the reasons for public objection to planning applications also revealed that they shared a number of common factors. These include the battlefield’s ability to invoke spiritual, historical, social, communal and symbolic values.

Despite battlefields being places of cultural significance and sharing common themes in public objection to development, the level these were taken into account through the conservation and development management systems varied. Whereas the Scottish planning authorities made reference to a proposed development’s impact on cultural heritage value, the English planning authorities made no reference to this. Furthermore, in only one case study, Bannockburn, did the views of the public, the planning authority and the government’s heritage advisor align with regards to the impact of development on the battlefield and cultural heritage value. This indicates a need for planning authorities and the government’s heritage advisor to give greater consideration to these values, in keeping with the protection measures afforded to them. The recommendations in this dissertation provide guidance on ways this can be achieved, particularly stressing the need to engage with the community and other relevant stakeholders in defining cultural heritage values to ensure that the cultural significance of historic battlefields is retained now and into the future.