Version SGB
CHATHAM
WORLD
I IERI IJ\Gf
A WORLD HERITAGE SITE FOR CHATHAM
CHATHAM DOCKYARD AND ITS DEFENCES
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
APRIL 2012
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Chatham Dockyard and its Defences was first included on the UK government's
Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 1999. Since this time, stakeholders have
committed considerable time and resource to a World Heritage Site nomination,
including commissioning a Feasibility Study (undertaken by Chris Blandford
Associates in 2003), a Wider Impacts, Synergies and Benefits Report (undertaken
by Sue Millar Associates in 2005), appointing a full time project manager (2007)
and establishing over 900 strong community body in support of the nomination the Chatham World Heritage Partnership.
1.2
The following information -except where indicated by italics- is taken from the
Chatham Dockyard and its Defences Nomination Dossier, developed after
extensive stakeholder and community consultation throughout 2008-09, approved
by the Steering Group in November 2009, and by Medway Council's Cabinet in
December 2009. Whilst the Nomination Dossier requires minor revision and
updating prior to submission to the World Heritage Committee, the information
required as part of a nomination is substantially complete, with full stakeholder
approval.
2.
DRAFT STATEMENT OF OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE
2.1
Chatham Dockyard and its Defences is an outstanding example of a complete
industrial military complex from the heyday of the age of sail (1700 to 1820) and
the early period of the age of steam ( 1820 to 1865).
2.2 During this period it was one of the foremost naval shipbuilding and repair yards in
the world, protected by sizeable military fortifications and barracks. It played an
instrumental role in enabling Britain to achieve naval supremacy and exert political,
economic and cultural influence on a world stage.
2.3 This was at a time when such dockyards were the largest industrial centres in the
world. Their contribution at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution is represented
by the significant investment in the naval and defensive facilities at Chatham during
this period. Today, the range of buildings and structures at Chatham Dockyard
collectively exhibit a superlative survival - in marked contrast to the other leading
dockyards of the day. It is this completeness, of both function and survival, which
makes Chatham Dockyard and its Defences unique. This sets the property apart
from the dockyards of competing global naval powers, and also from Britain's other
Royal Naval Dockyards in the UK and overseas.
2.4 Chatham Dockyard and its Defences is proposed for inscription onto the World
Heritage List under two criteria of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention:
Page 1
Criterion (ii) "Exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span
of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture
or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design."
2.5 The Site exhibits, in shore-based manufacturing processes and military
engineering techniques, an important interchange of ideas and values relating to
industrial, naval and military architecture and technology during the heyday of the
age of sail and the early period of the age of steam ( 1700-1865). Competition
between the three main global naval powers of the time (Britain, France and Spain)
created an "arms race" that led to developments in ship design, dockyard
technologies and buildings (including defensive fortifications and barracks) that
were necessary to support navies and to gain superiority at sea. As a result, there
was continual advancement in technology at Chatham, allowing it to repair, adapt,
improve and construct ever-greater numbers of increasingly large and more
sophisticated warships. These advancements came from the interchange of ideas.
This included the study of captured ships and both sanctioned and more covert
inspections of the dockyards of competing naval powers, plus exchange of
information between the British Dockyards. Latterly the private sector commercial
companies that were flourishing under the influence of the Industrial Revolution
participated.
Criterion (iv) "Be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural
or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant
stage(s) in human history".
2.6 The 18th and early 19th centuries were a significant stage in human history. A
number of international wars were fought (the Seven Years War, the American
Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars) and
colonies established, as the major European powers sought to control international
trade and gain political advantage. By 1815, Britain was the dominant power, and
had succeeded in exerting significant global influence politically, economically and
culturally. The decisive factor in these struggles was naval power, and countries
therefore competed to build and service large fleets of warships, through the
development of dedicated and defended dockyard complexes. Chatham is the
outstanding example of such a complete industrial military landscape.
Page 2
HERITAGE SITES INCLUDED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY
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ISLAND
Site Boundary
Buffer Zone
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Page3
CHATHAM: PROPOSED WORLD HERITAGE SITE
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3.
AUTHENTICITY OF THE SITE
3.1
The identified attributes of the nominated property truthfully and credibly express its
Outstanding Universal Value, in terms of form and materials, including machinery
and fittings. The attributes evidence high levels of surviving authentic fabric, and
considerable elements of the Site are still used in the manner in which they were
originally intended, or in a manner that is sensitive to their original purpose. The
location, layout and setting of individual buildings is also intact, as are principal
inter-relationships between site components. The attributes that express the
Outstanding Universal Value of the Site are separately identified in the
Management Plan.
4.
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF INTEGRITY
4.1
The Site includes within its boundary all elements necessary to express its
Outstanding Universal Value. Its completeness is represented by the range of
buildings, structures and features (including below ground archaeology, spatial
planning and open areas of land) most closely associated with the British Royal
Naval Dockyard, its defences and military infrastructure at Chatham during its
period of greatest significance (1700-1865). It includes a complete range of
shipbuilding and repair facilities and contains the range of buildings and structures
that demonstrate the scale and innovation of the facilities at Chatham.
4.2 The ensemble of buildings, structures and spatial planning and layout of the
fortified Dockyard complex has survived virtually intact. The physical fabric of the
property has largely not suffered from adverse effects of development or neglect,
and change is controlled through statutory protection and management measures.
The main elements of the property are generally in good condition, and there are
effective conservation management processes in place to maintain the condition of
all significant buildings, structures and features that contribute to its Outstanding
Universal Value.
5.
LEGAL AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES
5.1
The UK Government protects World Heritage Sites in England in two ways. Firstly
individual assets are designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings and
Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the 1979 Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Areas Act, and secondly through the UK spatial planning system
under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The Site is fully
protected by Conservation Area status, and all of its principal buildings and
structures are listed, and/or scheduled. National guidance on protecting the historic
environment (Planning Policy Statement 5 and World Heritage Circular 07/09) and
accompanying explanatory guidance has been published by Government.
(Regional and local plans and policies which further protect the nominated property
are appended to the Nomination Dossier).
5.2 Stakeholders for the nominated property are committed to the implementation of
integrated strategic management of the proposed WHS without duplicating the
responsibilities and actions of owners of the site components. Management beyond
that which can be secured from statutory powers is agreed, reviewed and carried
out under the Site Management Plan (2009), and the measures it contains to
ensure the conservation, protection, promotion and enhancement of the Site's
Page 5
Outstanding Universal Value. A Steering Group has met regularly since 2007 to
secure this, addressing the opportunities and challenges identified by the
Of note, the Steering Group has adopted a Development
Management Plan.
Protocol (2009). This establishes the nature of development in the site and its
buffer zone which may affect the site's Outstanding Universal Value, and
determines how and when the group should comment on planning applications and
proposals.
6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE
6. 1 Chatham Dockyard bears exceptional testimony to the array of shipbuilding and
repair facilities which were the result of massive investment in the Royal Navy of
the age of sail and early age of steam, and the rapid evolution in technology,
architecture and working practices made possible by this investment.
6.2 Chatham lies on the Medway in Kent, on the south side of the Thames estuary. In
the mid-17th century, it was the Royal Navy's main fleet base, and heightened fear
of invasion led to significant investment in fortified land defences. From the mid
18th century, fleet anchorage moved westwards down the English Channel, and
Chatham took on new significance as a centre for shipbuilding and repair. This led
to a vast array of new dockyard facilities, and a resultant increase in facilities for
the rapidly-increasing military and civilian workforces.
6.3 For over 400 years (c.1550-1984), Chatham was a naval base and as a result
became a major military garrison. In the early part of the 18th century, before the
industrial revolution had truly commenced, dockyards were the largest industrial
centres in Europe, and Chatham Dockyard and its defences was one of the largest
industrial military complexes in the world. In marked contrast to other contemporary
and comparable places, the evidence of buildings, structures and landscape at
Chatham has survived exceptionally well, particularly that dating from the 18th
century and the first half of the 19th century. Chatham has earlier 18th century
dockyard buildings than any other dockyard, and retains coherent groups of
buildings from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This period represents two
related phases in world history- the heyday of the age of sail (1700-1820) and the
early period of the age of steam ( 1820-1865) - when sea power was instrumental in
establishing Britain's imperial, commercial and industrial dominance, and thus the
spread of British cultural influence across the world.
6.4 At the core of the Site is the Dockyard and its associated facilities, and these were
protected by major fortifications and barracks. The huge scale of investment
needed to achieve world naval dominance during the 18th and 19th centuries is
evidenced at Chatham by the complexity and size of the Dockyard and the diversity
of structures from a variety of dates. The change to iron ship construction was
necessitated by the desire to sustain British naval dominance, extend colonial
influence and consolidate control of trade, and was facilitated by the British
industrial revolution. It is represented by new types of structures at Chatham,
principally the covered slips, and by investment in lengthening of dry docks and the
construction of new buildings for mechanised production. As a strategic resource of
great significance, the Dockyard had to be defended from attack. The increasing
scale and complexity of the fortifications and the defence landscape represent a
period when international politics created fear of invasion, and thus massive
investment in home defence.
Page 6
6.5 Alongside the Dockyard and its defences, other essential facilities grew up. These
include the ordnance facilities for supply of armaments and gunpowder, and the
barracks for the army that served the defensive garrison and acted as recruiting
depots for troops on overseas service. The final essential ingredient in making this
system work was the civilian labour force of the Dockyard. The Site includes the
settlement of Brompton which was created specifically to serve the navy and the
military, and where much of the Dockyard workforce lived.
6.6 The latter half of the 19th century created such technological change that the
facilities at Chatham were ultimately no longer fit for purpose. Construction of a
huge new northwards extension to the Dockyard and replacement ring forts for the
existing fortifications shifted the focus of activity away from the Site. This is what
accounts for the exceptional preservation of the 18th and early 19th century
industrial military complex.
6. 7 As Chatham Dockyard and its Defences is a highly complex site, with a large
number of individual buildings and structures, the Site has been divided into eight
areas for the purposes of description. These are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The River Medway - the determining factor for the location of the Dockyard,
and the physical and historical development of the area.
Chatham Historic Dockyard - incorporating the site of the 1y!h century
Dockyard and the 18th and early 19th century range of facilities necessary to
build, repair, maintain and equip ships of the fleet;
Brompton Barracks - constructed to accommodate troops, first the artillery and
then the engineers, charged with defending the Dockyard;
Brompton Village- the settlement that was founded to serve the needs of the
naval, army and civilian personnel associated with the Dockyard;
Fort Amherst and the Chatham Lines - the continuous permanent artillery
fortifications which were constructed to defend the Dockyard from landward
attack;
Kitchener Barracks - constructed to provide accommodation for soldiers
defending the Chatham Lines and as a recruiting depot;
Gun Wharf- the site of the 16th century Dockyard and subsequently the major
ordnance depot for the navy and army on the river Medway; and
Upnor Castle, barracks and ordnance depot - the first defence for the
Dockyard and later home to facilities for the manufacture and storage of
gunpowder for the navy and army.
6. 8
Over 60 historic buildings, structures and features within each area that
contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the Site are then described in
general terms, with more detail provided in the Gazetteer (Appendix E to the
Nomination Dossier).
7.
JUSTIFICATION OF OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE
7. 1
The Outstanding Universal Value of the Site is conveyed by the planning and
structures of the dockyard and its associated features. The dockyard buildings,
such as the ropery and the covered slips, the ordnance facilities, the fortifications
and barrack accommodation for the soldiers all demonstrate the industrial-scale
Page 7
investment, sustained technological innovation and development of defensive
techniques, necessary to support a major naval and colonial power.
7.2
The Outstanding Universal Value of the site is specifically vested in the following
attributes:
Attribute 1:
The Site exhibits, in terms of overall survival and completeness, the world's best
preserved example of a Naval Dockyard and its Defences from the age of sail
and early age of steam.
Attribute 2:
The completeness of individual Site components explains the scale and
complexity of the operational and defence requirements of a major dockyard and
its associated defences and barracks in the period of sail and the early age of
steam. Included in this are:
a.
The dockyard as a multi-phase site containing examples of each of the principal
building types needed to construct, equip and repair a major navy:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
b.
Dry docks No.s 2, 3 and 4.
Covered Slips No.s 3- 7.
The Ropeyard Complex (The Ropery, Hemp Houses, Spinning Room and
Ropery Offices, Hatchelling House and Engine Room, and the Tarred Yarn
Store).
Mast Ponds.
Storehouses- the Anchor Wharf complex and the Clocktower Building.
The dockyard wall, tower houses and main gate for security.
Buildings associated with ship manufacture, in particular, the Sail and Colour
Loft, Timber Seasoning Sheds, Mast House and Mould Loft, Pumping Station,
Lead and Paint Mills, No. 1 Smithery, the Wheelwrights Shop and the Ship's
Timbers, Joiners' Shop, No. 1 Workbase, Former House Carpenters'
Workshop and the Lower Boathouse.
Residential and domestic facilities - in particular Officers' Terrace and
Commissioner's House, Admiral's Offices, Officers' Reading Room &
Admirals' Conference Room, the Royal Dockyard Church, Stables and
Cashier's Office.
Ancillary features (Assistant Queen's Harbourmaster Office and Queen's
Stairs, Muster Bell).
The Chatham Lines as the artillery fortifications created in three main phases for
the defence of the dockyard:
•
•
•
•
•
Fort Amherst - an early 19th century citadel.
18th century central bastions.
Lower Lines - an early 19th century strengthening of the fortifications.
The Field of Fire (Great Lines) on which an attack would have been stopped.
The Inner Lines as open space within the main fortifications.
c. Barracks required to house the troops needed to defend the Dockyard by manning
the fortifications and to act as recruiting and invaliding centres for troops going to or
coming from overseas service:
Page 8
•
•
Kitchener Barracks mid 18th century infantry depot (layout and design).
Brompton Barracks now the Royal School of Military Engineering (specifically
Barrack Square, Barrack Blocks (North, South and Officers), Crimean War
Memorial, School House and Lecture Theatre, Garrison Church of St Barbara,
and Garrison Gymnasium).
Upnor Barracks of the early 18th century to defend powder stored in the
castle.
d. Ordnance facilities for the supply of artillery, small arms and gunpowder for sea and
land service:
•
•
Chatham Gun Wharf (Former Storekeeper's House, Former Ordnance Store).
Upnor Ordnance Depot (magazine use of 16th century castle, B Magazine,
No.2 Shell Store).
e. Civilian settlements that grew up to service naval and military establishments,
principally Brompton Village but also Upnor:
•
•
•
Upnor High Street.
1-20 Prospect Row, 2- 12a & 14&15 Mansion Row, 18 High Street, 22&24
Garden Street, Second House 6 Garden Street.
St Mary's Church location of the medieval parish church at Chatham.
Attribute 3:
A series of important inter-relationships between Site components explain the scale
and complexity of the operational and defence requirements of a major defended
dockyard of the age of sail and early age of steam, in particular:
•
The river is key to the location of the Dockyard, Upnor Ordnance Depot and
Gun Wharf.
•
Fort Amherst and the Chatham Lines occupy the high ground to defend the
Dockyard.
•
Fort Amherst and the Chatham Lines relate to the exterior open area of the
Great Lines and the interior space of Inner Lines.
•
Kitchener and Brompton Barracks are located within, and so as to serve, the
Chatham Lines and to create a very large garrison for overseas service.
•
Brompton Village is situated within the defences so as to serve the Dockyard,
and Kitchener and Brompton Barracks.
Attribute 4:
The Site is a showcase for architectural, technological and engineering innovation, in
particular:
•
Timber Seasoning Sheds.
•
Anchor Wharf storehouses.
•
No 3 Dry Dock and Pumping Station.
•
Brunei Sawmill.
•
Lead and Paint Mill.
•
No. 3 - 7 Covered Slips.
•
The Ropery (forming machines).
•
The Hemp House (hatchelling and spinning machines).
Page 9
Attribute 5:
The Site's geographical location and topographic qualities explain Chatham's rise to
significance as a major defended Dockyard of the age of sail, in particular:
•
Location next to the river at a position with sufficient depth of water at all
states of the tide to moor large ships.
•
Location in relation to the continent and foreseen routes of enemy attack.
•
Juxtaposition of high ground adjacent to river.
8.
CRITERIA FOR OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE
8. 1
Chatham Dockyard and its Defences is proposed for nomination under criteria (ii)
and (iv). The Chatham Dockyard and its Defences Nomination Dossier contains two
descriptions for each criteria. The description shown in bold below forms part of the
Statement of Outstanding Universal Value proposed for adoption by the World
Heritage Committee. The longer versions are included in the Site Management
Plan, and provide additional information to aid understanding of how Chatham fulfils
the criteria, thereby supporting the implementation of site management policies and
actions.
Criterion (ii) "Exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of
time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or
technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design"
8.2
The Site exhibits, in shore-based manufacturing processes and military
engineering techniques, an important interchange of ideas and values relating
to industrial, naval and military architecture and technology during the heyday
of the age of sail and the early period of the age of steam (1700-1865).
Competition between the three main global naval powers of the time (Britain,
France and Spain) created an "arms race" that led to developments in ship
design, Dockyard technologies and buildings (including defensive
fortifications and barracks) that were necessary to support navies and to gain
superiority at sea. As a result, there was continual advancement in technology
at Chatham, allowing it to repair, adapt, improve and construct ever-greater
numbers of increasingly large and more sophisticated warships. These
advancements came from the interchange of ideas. This included the study of
captured ships and both sanctioned and more covert inspections of the
Dockyards of competing naval powers, plus exchange of information between
the British Dockyards. Latterly the private sector commercial companies that
were flourishing under the influence of the Industrial Revolution participated.
8.3
The ships of the competing powers were based around a common technology and
were similar in design and purpose. Ships captured in conflict were readily absorbed
into the British fleet and their naval architecture was studied to inform the design of
subsequent types of ship. For example, the French prize, Invincible, taken in 1747,
formed the basis of a new design of 74 gun British ship that was to be the backbone
of naval success for the remainder of the century. (The first of this French-inspired
class of ship included the Valiant launched from Chatham in 1759 and the influence
of this design was still apparent in ships built as late as 1798.)
Page 10
8.4
The interchange of ideas was aided by inspections carried out by competing naval
powers of the sites of their competitors, whether these were officially sanctioned or
covert through espionage. For example:
• Csar Peter the Great visited Chatham in 1698, and used his knowledge of
Woolwich and Chatham to inform his programme of rebuilding and expanding the
Russian Navy.
• Frederik Henrik af Chapman, who influenced the technological advancement of
Swedish shipbuilding and naval development through his Treatise of Shipbuilding
(published in Swedish in 1775), toured the Royal Naval Dockyard at Chatham,
drawing and detailing all that he witnessed, and exported his illustrations to his
native Sweden. Chapman used his knowledge when he was subsequently
Shipyard Admiral of Karlskrona in Sweden (1782 - 1793).
• In the years before the French Revolution, the French engineers, Forfait and
Lescallier, were despatched to study British Dockyards and the application of
steam power to industrial manufacture.
• After the Battle of Waterloo, the French naval engineer Dupin repeated a tour of
inspection to learn the reasons for the resounding British naval success.
8.5
Similarly, Britain sought to learn from foreign experience. For example:
•
•
•
8.6
The interchange of ideas is evident in the buildings and structures associated with
shore-based manufacturing processes.
Bentham ensured that the eminent
engineers and architects of the day worked in all the UK dockyards, and this practice
encouraged the active interchange of ideas. For example:
•
•
•
8. 7
The Royal Engineer Hugh Debbieg, who built the Chatham Lines, went on
espionage missions to the main dockyards in France and Spain.
Brigadier General Sir Samuel Bentham was first employed in Sweden where he
saw covered shipbuilding, which led to its introduction to the UK and to Chatham.
Beyond the dockyards, the principles that informed land fortifications were
perfected by the French and imported to Chatham from the continent by
textbooks and direct observation. At Chatham they were developed to the acme
of the major fortress by the Royal Engineers who had direct experience of siege
warfare in Europe and further afield.
Chatham's No 3 Dry Dock was influenced under Rennie by the dry docks at
Portsmouth, and in turn influenced those at Sheerness.
The design of No. 7 Covered Slip led directly to the three storey braced frame in
the Boat Store at Sheerness.
The Saw Mill at Chatham designed by Marc Brunei, an emigre engineer from
France, was informed by, and in turn informed, Woolwich's steam powered
sawmill.
This interchange of ideas was extended to overseas dockyards and operations of the
British Royal Navy. The Royal Engineers imported to Chatham their direct
experience of siege warfare in continental Europe and in the colonies. Chathamtrained soldiers then re-exported this experience during foreign service. For
example:
•
Military engineering techniques learnt at Chatham were put into use during the
late stages of the Peninsular War at the siege of San Sebastian in Spain.
Page 11
•
•
•
8.8
They were used again during the 100 days following Napoleon's escape from
Elba.
Royal Engineers, trained under Pasley at Chatham, went abroad to strengthen
allied defences in the Netherlands.
When France and Britain laid siege to the Dockyard at Sevastopol in the Crimean
War (1854), British engineers constructed siege works using techniques learnt at
Chatham.
Bentham especially was actively involved in promoting the interchange of ideas
between Chatham and the private sector businesses that were pioneering
technological innovation under the impetus of the Industrial Revolution. He worked
with the most eminent engineers of the time (including John Rennie, Marc Brunei
and Simon Goodrich), and together they introduced mechanised production,
including the application of steam power, to Chatham. This included:
•
•
•
•
•
Brunei Saw Mill, with its combined steam and hydraulic power.
The forming machines and steam power at the Ropery, and
Pumping Station, with its Boulton and Watt beam engine. The Pumping Station
was one of the first purpose-built steam-powered pumping stations in Britain.
No 7 Covered Slip, which contributed to the development of thousands of portal
framed sheds and rigid building frames built in iron and steel across the UK.
Timber Seasoning Sheds, which were probably the first standardised industrial
buildings to be erected in large numbers in Britain.
Criterion (iv) "be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or
technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s)
in human history".
8.9
The 18th and early 19th centuries were a significant stage in human history. A
number of international wars were fought (the Seven Years War, the American
Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars)
and colonies established, as the major European powers sought to control
international trade and gain political advantage. By 1815, Britain was the
dominant power, and had succeeded in exerting significant global influence
politically, economically and culturally. The decisive factor in these struggles
was naval power, and countries therefore competed to build and service large
fleets of warships, through the development of dedicated and defended
Dockyard complexes. Chatham is the outstanding example of such a complete
industrial military landscape.
8.10
Chatham actively contributed to Britain's victory during these global struggles (1700
and 1865), through the breadth of ship-building and repair activities that it undertook
constructing ships that were instrumental in securing naval victories, and through the
deployment of military troops and engineers for foreign service. In addition, the size
and quality of individual buildings and facilities at Chatham, together with their
exceptional survival, also serves to demonstrate the scale of operations that took
place there, and the importance of the Dockyard to Britain's naval ambitions.
Chatham had the capacity to build eight ships simultaneously - a capability, which
before Pembroke in Wales was built, no other Royal Naval Dockyard could match.
At the time of their construction, the Anchor Wharf Storehouses were the largest
storehouses built for the British Royal Navy. No 3 Covered Slip is the largest extant
timber slip cover and one of the world's largest timber span structures, and the
Page 12
Double Ropehouse was the longest brick building in Europe. The Lead and Paint Mill
had the capacity to fulfil all the British Royal Navy's paint and lead requirements.
Gun Wharf was a major ordnance depot providing guns for both sea and land
service, and the Lower Upnor Ordnance Depot was a major storage facility for gun
powder.
8.11
Some of the most innovative engineers and architects of the day were involved in
developing facilities at the Dockyard. For example, Marc Brunei developed the Saw
Mill, John Rennie designed No 3 dry dock and the Pumping Station, Simon Goodrich
introduced mechanisation into the Ropery, and the wheeled forming machines there
were manufactured by Maudslay, the major engineering firm of the day. Their
involvement helped produce important technological advances at the site. The
Pumping Station was one of the first purpose-built steam powered pumping stations
in Britain and one of the first steam-powered dock pumping stations in a British
Royal Dockyard. The Saw Mill was one of the earliest saw mills to be powered by
steam. No. 3 Covered Slip represents the climax of the design of free-standing widespan timber structures, and No. 7 Covered Slip pioneered the introduction of integral
overhead travelling crane rails. The evolution of the technology is also clearly
demonstrated at the site. The covered slips demonstrate a development in use of
materials, from timber to cast iron to wrought iron, in only seventeen years, while the
buildings at Upnor chart the development of ordnance facilities using specialised
vaulted structures for bulk powder storage and latterly simple, lightweight buildings
for the bulk storage of shells.
9.
AUTHENTICITY
9.1
A detailed description of the site attributes, which convey its authenticity are set out
earlier in this report.
9.2
Chatham Dockyard and its Defences can be best judged through the degree to
which its authenticity is present in, or expressed by, the following selected attributes:
•
Form and materials of the Dockyard and fortifications: that enough survives
of the original form and materials of the Dockyard and its fortifications to
understand the outstanding nature of the industrial military landscape, the full
range of functions it fulfilled, and how these contributed to a major European
naval power exercising its influence on a worldwide scale;
•
Spatial planning and layout: that enough survives of the original location and
setting of different parts of the nominated property to demonstrate the full
complexity and interrelationships of this industrial military landscape;
•
Use and function: that enough of the nominated property is used in line with its
intended original use.
•
Technology and innovation: that enough survives of the outstanding innovation
and technology that was used at the Dockyard and its fortifications, and that
influenced, or was influenced by, industrial, naval and military architecture and
technology elsewhere in the UK and internationally.
Page 13
Form and Materials
9.3
The range of buildings and structures that are associated with the construction
and maintenance of sail and steam powered warships, and with the defence of
these facilities, have high levels of survival of authentic form and material. The
dry docks still survive, as do the buildings of the ropeyard (together with many
internal fittings and some contemporary machinery), and the key buildings
related to the manufacture of wood and sail, timber working and timber storage,
and the manufacture of iron and steel. In addition, a range of administrative and
domestic facilities and other original features remain intact, such as the offices,
residences and gardens; stables and church; and the guard houses, gate houses
and boundary walls. The survival of the military fortifications that were developed
to defend the Dockyard is comprehensive. The survival of barracks built for
troops to garrison the fortifications is less good, with only Brompton Barracks
surviving as first built. There has been much sensitive conservation activity over
the last 10-20 years, including many of the Dockyard buildings (No. 1 Smithery,
the Covered Slips, the Double Ropehouse, the Mast House and Mould Loft, the
Clocktower Building, and the Officers' Terrace, Brompton Barracks and
significant parts of Fort Amherst).
9.4
There are also a number of buildings and structures that are either in need of
restoration, or have been altered or damaged over time. They include the
Chatham Lines, the Infantry Barracks, Gun Wharf, Brompton Village and
Brompton Barracks. These are, however, a relatively small share of the plethora
of buildings that survive intact, and do not significantly undermine the nominated
property's outstanding universal value.
9.5
On balance, the nominated property meets the condition of authenticity of form
and materials.
Spatial Planning and Layout
9.6
Documentary evidence confirms that the spatial planning and layout of the site
are consistent with its past use, contributing to the high levels of authenticity of
Chatham Dockyard and its Defences. The Georgian Dockyard remains in its 18th
and 19th century location on the banks of the River Medway, and the industrial
landscape of the Dockyard on the flood plain, along with military defences and
associated infrastructure on the hillside above, remains substantially intact and
readily comprehensible. The location and setting of individual buildings is also
intact. In addition, despite limited encroachment by modern development in
places, the Chatham Lines retain their original layout and landscape context.
Historic lines of fire in the most part remain unimpaired, or are recoverable
through future management options. The Great Lines retain their essentially
open character, and Brompton Village has retained its original street pattern and
format. Furthermore, the buildings within Brompton Barracks retain their spatial
relationship, as do the complex of buildings within the southern part of the
Dockyard (The Ropery and the Anchor Wharf Storehouses). Gun Wharf and Fort
Amherst also retain their spatial relationship, and the River Medway remains
visible in views from the Dockyard and its defences.
9.7
On balance, the nominated property meets the condition of authenticity of spatial
planning and layout.
Page 14
Use and Function
9.8
Several elements of the nominated property are still used in the manner for
which they were intended. For example, soldiers continue to be trained at
Brompton Barracks, while Brompton Village remains a civilian settlement with
continued strong military associations. The Ropery continues to produce rope in
a traditional manner, and one of the Hemp Houses is still used for its original
purpose. The Officers' Terrace continues to be used for residential purposes,
and the Admiral's Office and Cashiers Office are both still used as office
accommodation. Much of the remainder of the site is also used in a manner that
is sensitive to its original purpose. For example, whilst Chatham Historic
Dockyard no longer operates as a naval shipbuilding and repair yard, it presents
a coherent picture of how it once worked. The dry docks have ships berthed in
them, and some of the Covered Slips house collections that include historic
boats, and artefacts from the Royal Engineers. Similarly, Upnor Castle is
exhibited as a fort and ordnance store, and Fort Amherst can be visited to see a
late 18th century fortress. Indeed, the number of buildings that do not allow
continued understanding of their original use and function are relatively limited:
the Dockyard's Clocktower Building (now in office use) and Wheelwright's Shop
(now a restaurant), and Gun Wharf's Storekeeper's House (now a Public House).
9.9
On balance, the nominated property meets the condition of authenticity of use
and function.
Technology and Innovation
9.10
Several architectural and engineering innovations that took place at Chatham
still remain within the nominated property. For example: the Timber Seasoning
Sheds; the great storehouses at Anchor Wharf; the No 3 Dry Dock; the Brunei
sawmill; the Lead and Paint Mill; No. 3 Covered Slip and No. 7 Covered Slip. In
addition, many of the early machines that were introduced to Chatham remain on
site, including the forming machine in the Ropery and the hatchelling and
spinning machines in the Hemp House.
9.11
The nominated property has lost some important features which had significant
influence on other dockyards and on commercial businesses. For example,
Brunei's Saw Mill today contains little evidence of the machinery or timber
transport system, although a series of massive cast iron saw-frames still remain
in position. The Pumping Station had its original steam beam engine replaced by
an electric pump in 1929, and the Ropery's beam engine was also replaced early
in the 20th century by electric power.
9.12
On balance, the nominated property meets the condition of authenticity of
technology and innovation.
Summary Statement of Authenticity
9.13
The identified attributes of the nominated property truthfully and credibly express
its outstanding universal value, in terms of form and materials, including
machinery and fittings. The attributes evidence high levels of surviving authentic
fabric, and considerable elements of the Site are still used in the manner in which
Page 15
they were originally intended, or in a manner that is sensitive to their original
purpose. The location, layout and setting of individual buildings is also intact, as
are principal inter-relationships between site components. The attributes that
express the outstanding universal value of the nominated property are separately
identified in the Site Management Plan.
10.
INTEGRITY
10. 1
The description shown in bold below forms part of the Statement of Outstanding
Universal Value proposed for adoption by the World Heritage Committee. The
longer version is included in the Site Management Plan, and provides additional
information to aid understanding of Chatham's significance.
10.2
The nominated property includes within its boundary all elements
necessary to express its Outstanding Universal Value. Its completeness is
represented by the range of buildings, structures and features (including
below ground archaeology, spatial planning and open areas of land) most
closely associated with the British Royal Naval Dockyard, its defences and
military infrastructure at Chatham during its period of greatest significance
(1700-1865). It includes a complete range of shipbuilding and repair
facilities and contains the range of buildings and structures that
demonstrate the scale and innovation of the facilities at Chatham.
10.3
The ensemble of buildings, structures and spatial planning and layout of
the fortified Dockyard complex has survived virtually intact. The physical
fabric of the property has largely not suffered from adverse effects of
development or neglect, and change is controlled through statutory
protection and management measures. The main elements of the property
are generally in good condition, and there are effective conservation
management processes in place to maintain the condition of all significant
buildings, structures and features that contribute to its Outstanding
Universal Value.
10.4
The nominated property has experienced change in the years between the period
of greatest significance (1700 to 1865) and the modern day, although major
development in the second half of the 19th century was through expansion
outside the boundary of the nominated property. The nominated property
excludes structures that pre or post date the 18th and early 19th centuries, or
whose survival is limited - for example, the outer perimeter ring of late 19th
century fortifications, the ruined 17th century fort at Cockham Wood and the site
of its contemporary counterpart at Gillingham, plus the early 19th century
fortifications at Fort Clarence and Fort Pitt.
10.5
There has been some very limited non-beneficial post-war development. With the
exception of Brompton Barracks, the barracks accommodation at Chatham has
fared less well than the Dockyard in terms of survival, and there are intrusive
elements such as the residential tower block of Melville Court in Brompton. The
Chatham Lines, have seen some detrimental change, including a degree of
encroachment by development on parts on the Great Lines. However, this has
not significantly affected the understanding of the historic function of the area, as
the dominant characteristic continues to be that of openness. In addition, the
Page 16
southern part of the Great Lines is designated an Area of Local Landscape
Importance and a Site of Nature Conservation Interest in the Local Plan.
Construction on open land outside of the Lower Lines has impacted upon the
ability to appreciate how this land was formerly used, but has also provided a
mechanism to restore a significant area of the Lower Lines as a dedicated public
open space.
11.
COMPARATIVE STUDY
11.1
Chatham Dockyard and its Defences is nominated as the supreme example of a
naval dockyard from the heyday of the age of sail and the beginning of the age of
steam. Naval dockyards are defined as dockyards that serviced national navies in
the building, repair and fitting for sea of warships, and as strategic military assets
that were defended from marine and landward attack by fortifications supported
with military infrastructure, in particular barracks. They are a separate and distinct
type of installation from commercial dockyards and harbours. Systematic
comparisons are therefore made with British Royal Naval Dockyards in the UK
and overseas, and with naval dockyards of other international maritime powers
(European, Russian and North American). Dockyards have been grouped
according to the naval power they supported.
11.2
The comparisons with Chatham Dockyard and its Defences are made through
the following key tests:
•
•
•
•
•
•
11.3
Does the comparative site have the same degree of global influence through
the interchange of ideas?
Does the comparative site belong to the same tradition of a technologically
advanced military navy capable of operating on a global scale during the
18th and early 19th century?
Does the comparative site demonstrate the same range and scale of naval
infrastructure associated with the building and repair of warships from the
18th and early 19th century?
Does the comparative site demonstrate the same degree of survival,
condition and completeness of authentic built fabric and archaeological
material associated with the building and repair of warships from the 18th
and early 19th century?
Does the comparative site demonstrate the same range and scale of military
infrastructure needed to defend the dockyard, and for the army to be an
instrument for turning naval power into action on land?
Does the comparative site demonstrate the same degree of survival,
condition and completeness of authentic built fabric and archaeological
material associated with the military infrastructure needed to defend the
dockyard, and for the army to be an instrument for turning naval power into
action on land?
A summary of the results of the systematic and narrative comparative analysis is
found in the table below:
Page 17
·. Site
Tradition····. Naval dockyard infrastructure
Ge>mparable
> <
..
·.;.;
. ..
. .. .. .
.
. .
. . . '·.
..
infl~~nc~
·•· 'ofglo~al
...;. thl'~l)Qh
,. .· . fllilit~ry .•.
<J.cim.r>~r~bte..•.. ·r<llll~ata~~~ • •········•····
~a~g~ ~nd ··...••• s~rv1"al, • · .·. .• ·.··· ·•·.
i!Jt~r~~~nge · ·•·•·•·. ~ilavy?l'.
..
· ..··
sc(lle? · ·
£on(liti6J1 cmd ·
...... .e>ficlea~? ·•
. . .
, • · • .· ···
completeness?
·· ..·.
Britain (Home)
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
..
. ·.··.
, .. ·
·•.
;
.. •
.•.
....
Woolwich
Deptford
Pembroke
Dock
Sheerness
Portsmouth
Devon port
..
>
• • ·. •
;
.
,. ·;..•;
••
.;
1
..
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Antigua
Bermuda
Gibraltar
Haulbowline
Jamaica
Malta
Menorca
Simonstown
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Stockholm
Suomenlinna
Karls krona
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
Britain (Overseas)
••
...
Military infr~strl)cture/defence~
,·.
. .
.
..... ·.·
> ......
r9n1Pirabl·~······. q9;n')p'arabl~,.··'··••.,.·~···
r(lnge c\l'ld ··· ···· suryival( ............
scale? .••• · ..•... ~9~tl~fipJ!~nd ·.'··
·
.. eompleten'ess?
....
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Sweden
YES
The Netherlands
Amsterdam
Dan Helder
Rotterdam
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Holmen
NO
NO
NO
Denmark
Brest
Toulon
Rochefort
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Cadiz
Ferro I
Cartagena,
Columbia
Cartagena,
Spain
Havana
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
France
YES
YES
YES
Spain
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
Russia
Kronstadt
YES
NO
NO
Italy
Venetian
Arsenal
NO
NO
NO
North America
Portsmouth,
NH
Boston/
Charlestown
New York/
Brooklyn
Philadelphia
Washington
DC
Norfolk
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Page 18
·.· .·
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Q()friJ>ar~ble •·
survival,
con<Jiti.orj ~uid
completeness?
NO
NO
11.4
11.5
There are a number of other dockyard sites on the World Heritage List, but all are
significantly different with very different Outstanding Universal Value, by reason
of date, scale, or character of site. Chatham would be the only naval dockyard,
with its defences, of a major naval power in the 18th and 19th centuries. Only
France and Spain are able to demonstrate the same cultural tradition of naval
operations on a global scale, and Rochefort and Ferro/ are represented on their
country's Tentative List for this reason. However, the French and Spanish
dockyards today do not have as complete a range and scale of largely intact
dockyard buildings, engineering facilities, defences and barracks that can
compare with Chatham in illustrating a complete industrial military complex from
the defined period, nor a comparable overall survival of historic fabric. Other
dockyard sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List are:
•
Suomenlinna: inscribed for its military architecture; lacking a comparable
scale or range of buildings and structures.
•
Karlskrona: inscribed as a planned naval port and city, but reflecting a
smaller-scale navy, operations and sphere of influence.
•
Cartagena (Columbia): inscribed as a 16th century port city, fortress and group
of monuments, but distinctly pre-dating the period of Chatham's significance.
•
Old Havana: inscribed as a 16th century Spanish colonial city; not comparable
in terms of period of significance, or scale of operation.
•
Venice: inscribed as a major maritime city; its scale is that of a city-state and
the period of significance is not comparable.
•
Kronstadt: inscribed as part of the St Petersburgh WHS; of a smaller scale,
and does not exhibit comparable survival of military infrastructure and
defences.
The comparative summary concludes that:
The substantially intact 18th and early 19th century naval dockyard at Chatham,
with the exceptional survival of its contemporary massive landward defences and
associated military infrastructure, is without parallel. Overall, no other dockyard
serving significant navies during the heyday of the age of sail and the early period
of steam-powered warships can compare with the scale, variety and largely
complete survival of naval dockyard and military defence infrastructure found at
Chatham today. It is this that makes Chatham Dockyard and its Defences unique,
and that sets the nominated property apart from the dockyards of competing
global naval powers, and also from Britain's own Royal Naval Dockyards in the
UK and overseas.
Page 19
12.
PROTECTION
Designated Heritage Assets within the Site
12.1
12.2
Areas, buildings and features of conservation value and importance within the
nominated property are safeguarded through a range of protective designations
and measures under established planning legislation, policies and practice. The
designations that apply within the nominated property are set out below:
Conservation Areas
The vast majority of Chatham Dockyard and its Defences is designated by
inclusion within three conservation areas. The small areas within the site not so
designated have limited historic or cultural value and are not subject to major
development pressures.
12.3
The three conservation areas that cover the site benefit from recent conservation
area appraisals 1. There are specific policies with each appraisal with regard to
the alteration of buildings and development within each area. More detailed
management plans, laying down guidance on the more general management of
each area, are being drafted for Upnor and Brompton Lines Conservation Areas
and will be complete by December 2012. A detailed Conservation Area
management plan exists for Chatham Dockyard at the core of the site.
12.4
Conservation areas also cover a significant proportion of the proposed buffer
zone to the site. Pembroke Conservation Area abuts the Site's north flank within
the buffer zone, the eastern border of the Site is within the Brompton Lines
conservation area, whilst to the south, part of Chatham town centre, the Star HillSun Pier area, is designated as a conservation area.
12.5
Article 4 directions have been applied to parts of the Up nor and Brompton
conservation areas. These restrict the sorts of development that can be carried
out without planning permission and require planning applications to be made for
small-scale changes to domestic properties.
12.6
12.7
Listed buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments
Significant buildings and structures within the site are designated as Listed
Buildings or as Scheduled Monuments. Thematic surveys over the last few years
have ensured that the listing designations are comprehensive and a programme
of revision to existing schedulings is ongoing by English Heritage - altogether
there are 50 scheduled monuments (covering 24.9 ha or 8.5% of the total site
area) and 120 listed buildings (10 Grade I; 43 Grade II*; 67 Grade II).
The most significant buildings and structures have specific policies on identifying
and protecting their significance within up-to-date conservation plans2 . However,
no conservation plans exist at present for the fortifications within the site, Fort
Amherst and the Lines, nor for the buildings of Up nor Depot. A conservation plan
will be drawn up for Fort Amherst and the adjacent Couvre Port area of the Lines
as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund bid currently now in preparation.
1
Upnor and Brompton Lines Conservation Area appraisals were compiled and adopted by Medway Council in
2004 and 2006 respectively. Chatham Dockyard Conservation Area Appraisal was compiled by Chatham
Historic Dockyard Trust.
2
Most buildings within the Dockyard, and also Upnor Castle.
Page 20
12.8
Registered parks and gardens:
The site has two registered historic gardens- the Officers Terrace and the
Commissioner's Garden. Although the register is a non statutory one, it is a
material consideration when deciding planning applications.
Adopted Local Plan 2003
12.9
Adopted in 2003, the Medway Local Plan is the current statutory development
plan for Medway under the Town and Country Planning Act (1990). This Plan
provides the Local Planning Authority with a policy framework for making
decisions on planning applications in and around the Site.
Areas of archaeological potential
12.10 Areas of archaeological potential are identified from the Kent Historic
Environment Record and are protected via specific Medway Council Local Plan
policy BNE21. These areas are periodically reviewed as knowledge of buried
archaeology advances. Nationally significant archaeological deposits are
managed through the planning system and not just as scheduled monuments.
Designated Open Space, Area of Local Landscape Importance, Site of
Nature Conservation Interest
12.11 The open areas of the Great Lines and the Lower Lines (which form the majority
of the Field of Fire of the Defences) and the Inner Lines (cleared to allow for
military encampments) are designated as open space in the Medway Local Plan
2003. The open space designation covers 96.9 hectares (33% of the area of the
site). The same area is covered in part by designation in the Local Plan as an
Area of Local Landscape Importance. In addition, the hillside above Upnor (which
forms an essential part of its setting) is designated as an Area of Local
Landscape Importance.
12.12 A 26.8 hectare area within the Great Lines is designated as in the Local Plan as a
Site of Nature Conservation Interest.
12.13 The Local Plan designations are material considerations when deciding land use
planning applications. The existing 2003 Local Plan policies are "saved" and will
be reviewed and incorporated into a subsequent development management
Development Plans Document (DPD) to be produced following the adoption of
Core Strategy.
Core Strategy of Local Development Framework -Submission Draft
12.14 Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004), Medway Council is
responsible for preparing a Local Development Framework that will consist of a
Core Strategy and development plan documents. It is expected that the Core
Strategy will be adopted by September 2012.
12.15 The Core Strategy has an extensive policy (CS12) on 'heritage assets' that
recognises Chatham Dockyard and its Defences, and its setting, as a potential
World Heritage Site.
Page 21
12.16 It defines a buffer zone for the Site. It references the Chatham Dockyard and its
Defences Management Plan (to be submitted with the nomination document) and
states that new development within the Site and within its buffer zone, will be
assessed against its impact on the Site's Outstanding Universal Value. There are
specific references to historic landscapes, and to managing the impact of
development within strategic views and on landmark buildings within these
strategic views.
12.17 Numerous references are made to Chatham Dockyard and its Defences in the
rest of the Core Strategy- including within the keynote 'Spatial Vision' section
and Policies CS1- Regenerating Medway, CS8- Open Space and Green Grid,
CS11- Culture and Leisure, CS17- Economic Development, CS18- Tourism,
CS25- River Medway, CS28- Chatham, and CS29- Gillingham.
Regeneration Framework
12.18 The Medway Regeneration Framework 2006-2016 is a non-statutory, high-level
document that sets out a delivery plan for the regeneration of Medway over a 20
year period. It supports World Heritage Site status for Chatham Dockyard and its
Defences. Delivering the framework is likely to involve a number of major
development proposals, some within the nominated property, but most
particularly the buffer zone. The Regeneration Framework has led to production
of associated planning documents that are detailed below
Masterplans
12.19 Delivery of Medway's regeneration aspirations will inevitably create development
pressures within the nominated property and its setting. Partly for this reason, the
major regeneration areas are covered by up-to-date masterplans that have a
principal aim of ensuring regeneration and development whist protecting the
Outstanding Universal Value of the prospective World Heritage Site. Extensive
consultation with English Heritage and the World Heritage Site Steering Group
(see below) took place prior to these documents being adopted as supplementary
planning documents.
12.20 The major masterplans are the Chatham Centre and Waterfront Framework
(2008), High Street/ Best Street Masterplan (201 0), and Interface Land SPD
(201 0). All cover areas that are within the site or within its buffer zone.
Strategic views and tall buildings
12.21 In response to the demand for development of tall buildings associated with the
regeneration of Medway, the Council has produced a 'Building Height Policy for
Medway' (adopted as a supplementary planning document, (SPD), in 2006). The
document analyses the significance and character of the waterfront regeneration
area and lays down policies on the design and location of tall buildings (six
storeys or over).
12.22 The SPD identifies strategic views of historic importance and includes policies for
managing development within these views in order to protect the significance of
the historic townscape and landscape. The document will be reviewed in line with
English Heritage's recent methodology 'Seeing the History in the View'.
GIS project
Page 22
12.23 An extensive GIS project mapping the proposed World Heritage Site has been
carried out.
12.24 There were two distinct outputs- a heritage management GIS that will assist with
the monitoring of the policies and actions of the site Management Plan, and a
public GIS including site information, a photo, video and audio gallery, historic
maps with zoom and comparison functions, and a virtual tour. Together these will
improve the management of change in the area and hence protection.
Ownership
12.25 The significant majority of the buildings and land within the nominated property
are within the ownership and/or direct management of the public and not-for-profit
bodies who are promoting the nomination through the Chatham World Heritage
Steering Group. The actions of these principal landowners, together with other
key stakeholders such as English Heritage, help to safeguard the nominated
property through provision of a long-term framework of protective measures.
Development Protocol
12.26 The landowners and statutory bodies on the World Heritage Steering Group have
adopted a Development Protocol that sets out their interests in development, and
guides their input into the planning process. All major development proposals (in
early outline form, or as contained in planning applications, masterplans or
supplementary planning documents) within the nomination site and within the
buffer zone are presented to this Steering Group for their advice and comments.
12.27 The protocol has proved to be successful. A number of development proposals
have been significantly altered and improved as a result of the feedback of the
World Heritage Site Steering Group. This includes major proposals by members
of the group itself.
13.
MANAGEMENT
13. 1
The Chatham World Heritage Steering Group, with representation from the
Site's principal landowners, and input from English Heritage and ICOMOS-UK,
has overseen the production of a complete World Heritage Site Nomination
Dossier, evidencing Chatham Dockyard and its Defences' suitability for
inscription as a World Heritage Site.
13.2
The Chatham World Heritage Steering Group is a partnership of organisations
with conservation, regeneration and landowning interests has come together as a
Steering Group to promote the nomination and management of Chatham
Dockyard and its Defences as a World Heritage Site. The Steering Group is
committed to the implementation of the consensus-based Management Plan to
ensure a sustainable and long-term future for the Site. The Steering Group
includes representatives of:
•
Medway Council
•
Chatham World Heritage Partnership
•
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust (CHDT)
Page 23
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
13.3
English Heritage
South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) 3
Homes and Communities Agency
The Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME)
Fort Amherst Heritage Trust (FAHT}
Medway Renaissance4
Defence Infrastructure Organisation (formerly Defence Estates)
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS-UK)
Universities at Medway
Mid Kent College
Peel Holdings
Chatham Maritime Trust
Lower Lines Trust
The Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham
The Steering Group places particular importance on its role of reviewing any
development application likely to affect the World Heritage site and uses its
influence to negate any adverse impact on the Site of such development
proposals. The Steering Group has also been influential in bringing about recent
improvements within the proposed World Heritage Site, such as the Great Lines
Heritage Park, the Lower Lines Park and the arrival of the National Museums at
Chatham Historic Dockyard (No 1 Smithery). Further projects are expected at
sites within Chatham Historic Dockyard and Fort Amherst and the Chatham Lines
should current Heritage Lottery Fund bids prove successful.
13.4 Ensuring that local communities continue to be clearly informed and involved in
the bid process is achieved through:
•
•
•
Press coverage, both local and national.
The Chatham World Heritage Partnership and local Friends groups.
Questionnaires and leaflets to all those living and working in and around the
nominated property, and significant organisations and business.
A newsletter and a programme of advertised talks, public meetings and
events.
Supporting and developing opportunities for volunteering in the area.
The active involvement of local communities in the long term management
of the site in line with the policies of the Management Plan.
•
•
•
13.5
3
4
The WHS Steering Group is supported in its work by a full time Project Manager,
based within the offices of the local authority. The Chatham World Heritage
Project Manager is managed by the Chairman of the Steering Group and reports
to the Chatham World Heritage Steering Group. The Project Manager agrees
priorities and strategies with the steering group and oversees the implementation
and monitoring of the Management Plan, raises funds in support of its aims and
policies, and supports the independent chair of the Chatham World Heritage
Partnership (appointed from members of the Partnership in 2007).
1
Until19 h September 2011
51
Until 31 March 2011
Page 24
The World Heritage Site Nomination Dossier
13.6
With representation from the Site's principal landowners, and input from English
Heritage and ICOMOS-UK, the Steering Group has overseen the production of a
complete World Heritage Site Nomination Dossier which evidences the suitability
of Chatham Dockyard and its Defences for inscription as a World Heritage Site.
The Nomination Dossier, and in particular the Management Plan has been
informed by ongoing consultations and dialogue with local stakeholders over a
period of many years. Local communities have been engaged in the process
through well-attended meetings of the Chatham World Heritage Partnership, and
via more detailed discussions held with local resident and other community
groups.
13. 7
Two local studies (a Feasibility Report [2003], and Wider Impacts, Synergies and
Benefits Report [2006]) have informed the nomination, and indicated the positive
impact this would have for the preservation and understanding of Chatham's
internationally-significant heritage. Our community partnership is a sterling early
example of the civic impact of a nomination -with the Chatham World Heritage
Partnership (the open body for anyone with any nature of interest in the site),
currently numbering over 900 members, with an average meeting attendance of
130 (about 70% residents, 10% local businesses and 20% amenity and interest
groups).
13.8
Benefits of nomination work are already apparent, such as the Great Lines
Heritage Park. A unified vision of the Great Lines restored to a single park
boundary has been made possible thanks to the work of the Steering Group in
defining the vision for the site and securing over £2. Sm for its enhancement. As a
direct consequence, Fort Amherst (previously closed to the public other than for
specific, occasional, charged events) became a free-to-enter public park, open
364 days a year, from April 2011. Continued enhancement of the Great Lines
Heritage Park features strongly in the Site Management Plan.
The World Heritage Site Management Plan
13.9
A full Management Plan for Chatham Dockyard and its Defences has been
prepared as part of the Nomination Dossier. The primary aim of the Management
Plan is to protect, conserve and enhance the Site's Outstanding Universal Value
for future generations. The Plan is an over-arching framework for co-ordinated
management of the nominated property. It sets out a long-term vision and aims
to:
•
Encourage greater local and international awareness and appreciation of the
nominated property's Outstanding Universal Value.
•
Protect Chatham Dockyard and its Defences from change that would harm
the nominated property's Outstanding Universal Value, integrity and
authenticity.
•
Promote the nominated property's potential contribution to Medway's
renaissance through heritage-led regeneration.
•
Achieve sustainable uses of the nominated property for public benefit by
sensitive re-use of historic buildings, structures and places, and
development of education, recreation and tourism opportunities.
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The Management Plan was prepared in accordance with UNESCO's general
procedures and requirements set out in the Management Guidelines for Cultural
World Heritage Sites (1998), Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the
World Heritage Convention (2008) and the English Heritage Guidance Note on
the Protection and Management of World Heritage Sites in England (2009). In
accordance with these guidelines, the Management Plan includes:
•
•
•
•
A description of the Site and the Outstanding Universal Values that are
important to protect for future generations.
An overarching vision and long-term aims for the Site over the next 30
years.
An evaluation of the key opportunities and challenges facing the Site,
together with policies for guiding the conservation and sustainable use of
the property for the next five years.
An action plan for delivering the Plan's vision over the short, medium and
long term.
13.10 Assurance of effective implementation of the Management Plan is demonstrated
by the commitment of Medway Council to ensuring that the Outstanding
Universal Value of the Site is protected from inappropriate development through
the current Local Plan (2003) and the new Local Development Framework (due
for adoption in September 2012).
13. 11 The momentum and focus of the World Heritage bid has led to a genuine shared
vision for the entire site, enshrined in the aims and policies of the Management
Plan. The awarding of World Heritage Site status would further enhance
partnership working opportunities, promote the site's international significance,
and reward and help maintain the active interest and involvement of the local
community.
14.
RESOURCING
14.1
The Chatham World Heritage Site Steering Group is responsible for coordinating
funding and managing spending on World Heritage Site matters in line with the
agreed Management Plan. The individual Steering Group members, as well as
many other organisations, all currently help fund the management of the Site and
surrounding area. Many of these organisations have also contributed to the
funding of the nomination (namely, English Heritage, Chatham Historic Dockyard
Trust, HCA (formerly SEEDA) and Medway Council), and all have contributed
staff and other resources.
14.2
The Chatham Dockyard and its Defences Management Plan provides the
framework for principal landowners and stakeholders to manage their interests in
line with the Site's Outstanding Universal Value. The alignment of Management
Plan policies with existing work programmes ensures that, as far as possible, the
desired management regime is ensured via core resources.
14.3
The significant majority of the buildings and land within the Site are within the
ownership and/or direct management of the public and not-for-profit bodies who
are promoting the nomination through the Chatham World Heritage Steering
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Group, and who have approved I adopted the Chatham Dockyard and its
Defences Management Plan.
14.4
To support the projects associated with the management of the Site's heritage
resources, the Management Plan is used to support applications for funding from
various sources such as partners, central government, the European Union,
Trusts and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Since 2007, Chatham World Heritage has
successfully bid for funds in support of the Management Plan totalling £2. 1m from
central government, and over €750, 000 from the European Union - this is in
addition to individual funding bids from steering group partners. A Heritage
Lottery Fund application worth c. £2m is being developed for submission by
Chatham World Heritage later this year.
14. 5
The Chatham World Heritage Project Manager Jed the completion of the
Chatham Dockyard and its Defences World Heritage Site Nomination Dossier,
which was approved by the Steering Group in November 2009, by Medway
Council's Cabinet in December 2009, and by all principal landowners throughout
2009. Minor revisions, and an update to the Nomination Dossier, will be required
prior to nomination, and the Project Manager is tasked with the evaluation of the
Management Plan, and updates and revisions based on progress and feedback.
Support of the Steering Group in implementing, evaluating and updating the
Management Plan is assured by the adopted Terms of Reference of the group,
which include:
• To pursue the agreed objectives of the Management Plan, identify
responsibilities for delivery and targets for achievement, and to undertake an
annual evaluation of progress.
• To ensure policy is identified, enhanced, and where necessary created, to
reflect the management objectives of the Management Plan.
•
To support, inform and use input from the World Heritage Partnership to
inform the development of the Management Plan and the pursuit of its
objectives.
14.6
The Chatham World Heritage project has so far secured in excess of £2. 5m in
support of the Management Plan's aims and policies, in particular focussed on
the Great Lines Heritage Park. The Management Plan sets targets for year-onyear investment in the Great Lines Heritage Park, and the Steering Group have
ensured that the park is maintained to an appropriate standard by the securing
the inclusion of a section 106 contribution from new developments in Medway to
the upkeep of the park (required by the adopted Developer Contributions Guide
since 2009).
14. 7
The Management Plan also sets targets for the long-term funding of the Chatham
World Heritage Project Manager's post, which the Steering Group have
committed to maintain throughout and post-inscription.
14.8
Since 2005, Chatham's initiative to seek World Heritage Site status has been
generously supported by various funders in the private and public sectors. This
reflects the considerable interest and enthusiasm for WHS status and our World
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Heritage bid from a variety of interested parties. The World Heritage Site project
has also benefited from funding related to associated projects within the
proposed WHS from Heritage Lottery Fund, Department for Communities and
Local Government and the European Union, via support in kind from other
generous benefactors including Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust (CHDT),
SEEDA (South East England Development Agency), the Royal School of Military
Engineering (RSME), English Heritage, Universities at Medway, Medway Council
and others.
14.9 Secured funding is in place to enable the continued employment of Chatham's WHS
Project Manager and to cover other WHS project costs until 31 December 2014, with
Medway Council acting as funder of last resort. Funding for the Great Lines Heritage
Park (GLHP) Project Officer post and associated GLHP costs are also secured until
2014. Medway Council is committed to continue to provide accommodation and other
support for the WHS and GLHP projects.
14.10 There has been an excellent track record of success in obtaining external funding
to ensure progress on the WHS project, and related projects including the GLHP.
With the strong support of all members of the WHS Steering Group, and the
funding related skills and expertise existing within those organisations, all parties
are confident that future funding will be secured, were Chatham to be nominated
in 2014.
Document produced by Chatham World Heritage Site Steering Group
April 2012 (Version SG8)
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