Description: The HAA offered a fresh perspective on the town’s heritage, particularly with its attention to hitherto disregarded areas.  It was the catalyst for the establishment of a local building recording group, prompted a reassessment of statutory designations, and, following further research, led to a publication, Berwick-upon-Tweed: three places, two nations, one town (2009).

Issue: By national standards the economy of the area has not performed well in recent decades and growing levels of out-migration by young people have caused mounting concern.  By 2005 Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal stood on the brink of major change, originating partly in the regeneration efforts of the local authority and its regional partners, and partly in growing commercial interest in the development of waterfront sites.  It was important therefore to assess the character and significance of the local historic environment, and to identify any gaps in knowledge, before development and regeneration plans progressed further.

Strategy: The assessment was made available to Masterplanners (commissioned by the local planning authority) in the early stages of their work.  It also provided context and much relevant information for the North of England Civic Trust in the preparation of two Conservation Area Appraisals (Berwick and Tweedmouth) and management plans for all three conservation areas.  It was welcomed by local people as offering a fresh perspective on the town’s heritage, particularly with its attention to hitherto disregarded areas.  It was the catalyst for the establishment of a local building recording group, prompted a reassessment of statutory designations, and, following further research, led to a publication, Berwick-upon-Tweed: three places, two nations, one town (2009).

Outcome: The assessment was made available to Masterplanners (commissioned by the local planning authority) in the early stages of their work.  It also provided context and much relevant information for the North of England Civic Trust in the preparation of two Conservation Area Appraisals (Berwick and Tweedmouth) and management plans for all three conservation areas.  It was welcomed by local people as offering a fresh perspective on the town’s heritage, particularly with its attention to hitherto disregarded areas.  It was the catalyst for the establishment of a local building recording group, prompted a reassessment of statutory designations, and, following further research, led to a publication, Berwick-upon-Tweed: three places, two nations, one town (2009).