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The Solent Area and its Historic Built Environment

Historic buildings, both statutorily protected and unlisted ones together with standing structures that are safeguarded as Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas, reflect the history of this part of the South Coast. The form and character of the historic built environment in the Solent zone provide evidence of a wide variety of uses and functions ranging from shipbuilding and inshore fishing to those of recreation and water sport and the needs of visitors and holidaymakers. Such features as historic quays and tidal mills attest to the importance of coastal communications and trade until well into this century. The most distinctive influence contributing to the nature and character of historic buildings and structures along the coastline has been that of Defence of the Realm. While other coastal and estuarine parts of the British Isles exhibit similar collections of military and naval historic features, arguably no other area of Britain can rival the Solent shores for its concentration and rich variety. There are numerous historic castles, forts and fortifications, defensive walls and military and naval installations along the Hampshire coast, representing the needs of defence over many centuries. The process of the evolution of buildings and structures to meet these changing requirements can be clearly identified along the Solent shore. On the whole historic features along the coast pose more problems than those located inland.

Issues and Interactions with other Interests

Shoreline locations induce particular pressures so far as the Defence Heritage is concerned. The release and marketing of Ministry of Defence sites poses a potential threat to some historic buildings and features where these are located along the coast. For instance, proposals for adaptation and re-use, not to mention increments of new development, may be unduly influenced by the potential that exists to exploit 'the view over the Solent'. Such design approaches may run counter to the requirement that the historic character of structures or buildings and their settings are protected and retained. The extensive works carried out to convert one of the seaward Palmerstonian Forts into a luxury house is perhaps the best example of the more extreme form of scheme that can be stimulated through the marketing of redundant defence features. Policies and controls exercised by both levels of Planning Authority should reflect an unambiguous requirement for the retention of character.

Features which derive from our maritime traditions both merchant as well as naval also deserve special attention. There has been concern for some time that structures with industrial archaeology significance have not received the attention and statutory protection they deserve. Subsequent to the decline of Southampton as a passenger port there is a need for protection for structures and buildings that bear witness to the days of the City as a premier liner port. (Re: Southampton Local Plan policy ENV.5) Commercial pressures linked to the desire to see diversification of the local economy and re-use of redundant shoreside and docks sites could put further historic features at risk.

Finally, shoreline locations by their nature involve a particular kind of risk to historic buildings and structures that would rarely if ever be experienced at an inland site - that of risk of loss through the forces of nature. Certain categories of structure may be particularly prone to the forces of coastal change and erosion: castles, forts and piers. Coast protection measures and schemes insofar as these alter tidal and current regimes may well accelerate or distort problems of undermining or instability from which these structures may have been at risk since their original installation. Hurst Castle and the hangars at Calshot, both founded on shingle spits, are just two examples of recent cases of instability and failure of this kind.

Statutory Controls, Planning and Conservation Policies and Conservation Agencies

Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas are the subject of statutory provisions contained in the Town and Country Planning Acts and associated provisions and, more recently, the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Area) Act 1990, together with its accompanying Regulations and Directions. Government advice on policy is contained in Planning Policy Guidance PPG15: Planning and the Historic Environment. The objectives of these elements of planning law and procedure are the preservation of historic buildings and areas. Retention of character and, in the case of conservation areas, their enhancement is a key principle to be pursued. Development is a major factor contributing to possible threats to the character of historic buildings and sites. Disrepair, leading to dereliction is another. There are provisions in the legislation dealing with these two aspects. There is additionally, emphasis on the need to protect the setting of a listed building contained in the Planning Act. Policies set out in PPG15 are reiterated in the approved Structure Plan or in supplementary guidance associated with it. At the local level specific requirements are spelt out in Local Plans and other documents such as Conservation Area Action Plans. Designation of Conservation Areas is at the behest of District Councils. Inclusion of buildings in the statutory list is decided by the Secretary of State for National Heritage, advised by English Heritage. Similarly the scheduling of ancient monuments is a matter for decision at Central Government level.

Source: Towards Strategic Guidance for the Solent (March 1996)