Boston Townscape Heritage Project
Brief for the Boston Heritage Strategy
Introduction
The town of Boston in Lincolnshire has a unique and nationally significant historic environment
which provides an important resource for education, tourism and cultural activities. Historic England
views Boston as a national priority area for investment and has recently published ‘Boston,
Lincolnshire, Historic North Sea Port and Market Town’, as part of its Informed Conservation series.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has also nominated Boston as one of the priority areas within the current
strategic plan. Therefore the Council is commissioning a heritage strategy for the town (including the
wider Borough), so that its character and significance can be further defined, and harnessed for
regeneration, priorities for action can be identified and a partnership approach can be taken to
maximise the conservation of this unique resource and its contribution to a prosperous future for
Boston.
The Council wish to emphasise the heritage of Boston is not only valued by heritage professionals, it
is also appreciated and celebrated in many diverse forms by local organisations, communities,
residents and visitors to the town as well as being an important potential catalyst and driver for
further economic development and growth. This strategy must recognise these factors and take full
advantage of all opportunities to engage with the above audiences in order to meet its objectives.
Scope
The Heritage Strategy is for the entire Borough of Boston, with particular emphasis on the town of
Boston.
The strategy will cover the period up to 2020 with a view to establishing a continuing legacy beyond
then in terms of enhanced capacity and programme commitments.
Boston Borough Council has commissioned the strategy but it is intended that this will be a helpful
document to a wide range of stakeholders working within the area.
Summary of brief
The document should set an agenda for partnership working among politicians and professionals,
yet be aimed at a broad audience. It should be inspirational and visionary, yet set out practical steps
for implementation. It should be clear and concise and cover the following:
1. The objectives of the heritage strategy must be defined.
2. A summary of what is significant about Boston’s heritage, including images, a graphic
timeline and context within Lincolnshire and the region.
3. A summary of the value of the heritage in terms of the local economy (tourism, property
values, regeneration potential, economic development and future growth aspirations)
education and community.
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4. A review of projects/investments over the last 5 years, which has benefitted the heritage of
the town, with examples of how initiatives have impacted upon the values noted under
point 3 above (where evidence is available).
5. Boston Borough Council Planning. Consideration of the consenting regime – does this help
or hinder building conservation in Boston? Are all the tools in the planning toolbox used
effectively enough, e.g., Article 4 Directions, S215 Notices, Repairs Notices?
6. A summary of the challenges and opportunities ahead; including potential environmental
impacts, a needs assessment for public funding, capacity available to Boston Borough
Council and wider community to develop and deliver projects.
7. A review of current policies, agencies, partnerships and initiatives which can be harnessed to
enable Boston’s heritage to contribute to regeneration (e.g., LEP, government and European
funding).
8. Identification of priority projects and recommendations for policy development, investment
and action. This will include an assessment of potential partnership working and long term
arrangements for governance and stakeholder participation beyond the period of the
strategy.
Consultation
Consultation must be undertaken to assess issues of concern and how these may be satisfactorily
addressed (see below under ‘timetable’).
Timetable
There will be four key stages
 Appoint consultant: February 7th March 2016.
 Submit inception report: 1st April 2016.
 Submit draft Heritage Strategy: Friday 27th May 2016.
 The completed document is to be submitted by Friday 24th June 2016.
The inception report will follow consultation with key officers within the Council (including key local
Councillors), key stakeholders within the County and the East Midlands area, local partners and the
local community. A meeting will be arranged through the Townscape Heritage Project and the
consultants will be expected to chair this meeting.
A late afternoon/early evening public consultation event will also be required following the
submission of the draft report and the consultants will be expected to prepare all resources for this
event.
Please allow for the submission of 4 hard copies and one electronic copy of the final report. Unless
otherwise agreed, the consultant is to provide their own maps for inclusion within the Heritage
Strategy.
Background Information
A Conservation Area Management Plan for Boston is currently being prepared and a draft of this
document will be available for inspection at the commencement of the Heritage Strategy.
Additional background information:
A Conservation area Appraisal was prepared by Anderson and Glenn Architects in 2009. Details may
be found at: http://www.boston.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=5503&p=0
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Details of the conservation area, map, designation and extensions, may be found at:
http://www.boston.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=6883&p=0
An additional appraisal also by Anderson and Glenn Architects but specific to the Market Place in
Boston was produced in December 2009. Details:
http://www.boston.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=6332&p=0
Submission
Please submit your fee proposal for this project by 12.00pm on the 29th February with the following:
1. Your quotation for the work, including all travel and other expenses.
2. A day rate for any additional tasks the Council might request.
3. Details of the individual(s) who will be undertaking the work and their experience.
4. Recent CV(s).
5. Your proposed methodology for the Heritage Strategy.
6. Details of similar work undertaken with references.
Note: The indicative budget for this piece of work is £10,000-£12,000 plus VAT. The Council will be
looking at value for money when assessing bids. However, bids will be assessed on experience,
expertise and methodology as well as price.
Please submit you fee proposal by e-mail to:
Paul Skeet, Boston Townscape Heritage Project Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07920 068065
Fee payment.
These will be subject to agreement, but up to three payments may be considered, e.g., one third at
the completion of inception report, one third on the completion of the draft report and one third at
the submission of the completed document.
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