Protecting our heritage
We aim to integrate historic buildings and other unique local features into our developments – this enhances local character and contributes to good placemaking.
Recent examples include our Howe Barracks site where three original buildings: the gymnasium, the chapel and the small arms trainer, will be handed over to a management trust for community events and activities. At our Diglis Water site, three buildings with strong ties to the area's waterways heritage have been retained and restored - the stablemaster's house and two boat houses. One of the boat houses has been kept for its original purpose while the remaining buildings are for commercial and retail use.
We carry out archaeological explorations to ensure that the history of our sites is protected and recorded. For example, at our Alresford Down site in Hampshire, archaeologists have recently identified a Bronze Age barrow monument and an Anglo Saxon cemetery. The finds were featured on the television programme ‘Digging for Britain’ and some will go on display in Winchester Museum.
In our South Thames region we have been working with archaeologists and the county council to excavate two historic gunpowder mills uncovered near our Riverside Mill development in Worcester Park. The mills, which are thought to date as far back as the 18th century, would have initially produced gunpowder for private and government order. Some of the items excavated from the site will go on display at the development including one of the original millstones.
Planning agreement contributions regularly include public art. Recent examples include several public art works commissioned for our Leyton development in East London. At our Pennington Wharf development in Wigan, we have celebrated the town’s mining history with a new art installation honouring miners who lost their lives in the local pit. At our Gilden Park development in Harlow, we have commissioned a modern sculpture by a local artist. The sculpture will contribute to Harlow’s reputation as a ‘sculpture town’, with over 100 public art works throughout the area, which form walking and cycling trails for residents and visitors.
