Lincoln’s Inherited Character

OPUN Workshop

1. Introduce Lincoln Townscape Assessment (LTA)

2. Implementation in Lincoln

3. Case study workshop (20-30 mins)

Lincoln Townscape Assessment

Aims:

• Characterisation project recoding the inherited character of the entire city

• Identify how the past influences the present

• Take holistic approach incorporating principles of urbanism, archaeology and ecology

Outcomes

• Evidence-led approach to considering future change in Lincoln

• Place-based understanding and awareness of local distinctiveness

• Physical structure for ‘intangible’ elements of character

Character Areas• Historical Development

– Legibility– Tangible

• Ground survey

– Built environment

– Experiential

– Natural and semi-natural

– Urban form

Character Areas

• Mapped information for each area

• Urban Form

– Block Structure

– Set backs

– Frontages

– Open Spaces

– Circulation

• Tells us about how an area is working an how it is experienced

Character Area Statements

• Statement:

– Overview

– Historical development

– Urban Form

– Views

– Condition and Use

– Ecological Characteristics

– Bullet Points

• Impartial – free from value

judgements

www.heritageconnectlincoln.com

• Bespoke mobile and desktop web design

• 3G + smart phones

• GPS – location aware

Information accessed through each place:

– Statement– Heritage/ecological info– Maps– Photos– Feedback– Consultations

LTA Implementation

• 2009-2011

Place-shaping:

• Planning Strategy and Policy

• Neighbourhood Planning

• Development Management

• Final Report early 2012

Design and Development

Developers• Design principles• D&A statement• Heritage studies

DM Officers• Pre-application, evaluation,

negotiation and appeal stages• Conservation Area Appraisals• Masterplans• Development briefs, LDOs

• NOT CONSERVATION-LED!

Workshop

1. Review proposal and consider its contribution

• Key LTA characteristics

• Urban mapping

• Photos and images of site and surrounds

• Principles within the Design and Access statement

2. Identify any alternative design principles

3. Reasoning

4. Present findings

Key LTA characteristics:

• West Parade dominant street/backbone

• Gable ends for civic and ecclesiastical buildings

• Strong building lines

• Repetitive pattern of form, scale and decoration

• Corner buildings respect position

• Active frontages

Contribution and Design Principles

Contribution:• Secondary emphasis on West

Parade

• Low activity at street-level

• Doesn’t reflect corner position

• Plain with limited decoration

• Residential/ecclesiastical form

• Scale, height, building line

• Contemporary design (D&A)

Principles:

• Orientate to West Parade

• Pattern and style of fenestration

• Corner feature/treatment

• Emphasise repeated form of properties using decorative elements

• Reduce prominence of gables, and use in smaller scale

• Modern interpretation of existing characteristics

Key outcomes of using LTA

• Shared evidence-base for the negotiation of change

• Robust evidence-led place-shaping approach to local distinctiveness

• Clarity, rigour and speed in decision-making

• Maximise the benefit Lincoln gets from its inherited character and sense of place

• Greater ability to monitor and improve how places are developed