A cultural seascape on the World Heritage list? - TrustNews March 08
The communities around Portsmouth Harbour and Spithead are probably changing more rapidly than at any time in their history. Their developing creativity and enterprise is moving forward in exciting new ways. A new proposal — to work towards inscription of Portsmouth Harbour and Spithead as a World Heritage site promises to provide continuity from the physical and social legacy of the area's past towards a well designed, creative future, where new developments and enterprises are of the highest quality and distinctive aspects of the area's economy are enhanced, stimulated by what makes it worthy of world-wide recognition. There are clear gains in the myriad interests around the harbour and Spithead working more closely together, in what we all perceive as one place.
Portsmouth Harbour and Spithead are framed to the north and south by Portsdown Hill and Ryde, and it is the water — and parts of the coastline - which is the focus of the bid. The only other harbour on the World Heritage List is Willemsted in Curaçao, and our proposal 'for a 'cultural seascape' would be a world first. Our particular geography — a sheltered anchorage and a large harbour protected by a narrow entrance — has shaped the area's history. The process of making a bid will achieve many important medium-term economic and environmental gains for the local communities, making the journey worthwhile whether or not the bid succeeds. It will help local people to value the rich legacy of buildings, history and traditions around the harbour, and to ensure their sustainable future. In particular it is hoped that it will result in forward-looking co-ordination of planning, transport and conservation policies, access, promotion and development.
Sites can only be included on the tentative list if submitted by the State Party to UNESCO - in our case the DCMS. The site has to be of outstanding universal value. The DCMS has commissioned research on the effects of inscription at six UK sites, and is to issue new guidelines for applicants — of which there are quite a number - in 2008. Nine sites are currently on the UK Tentative List, including Chatham dockyard, although their bid is land-based. The key requirement for success is that the dossier must demonstrate the 'outstanding universal value' of the site in accordance with one or more of ten criteria for cultural sites. There is also a category for moveable objects such as historic ships. Only one category is necessary. Our bid would be the first to include objects: Mary Rose, Victory and HMS Warrior. Authenticity is important: The Nara Document refers to authenticity of materials, design and setting, which have to be of worldwide significance. The theme of the bid is defence heritage - to celebrate centuries of activity - from the Roman Empire's Fort of the Saxon shore. Portchester Castle - to the British Navy's continued operation in Portsmouth dockyard and its supporting establishments, defences and supply lines.
The proposal addresses local conservationists' particular concerns: the future of Haslar Hospital and HMS Daedalus in Gosport, potential development of Hyde's seafront and skyline, lack of maintenance on key historic buildings such as Portsmouth City's Southsea Castle, the Round Tower and Square Tower and Eastney Pumping Station, and the MOD's Block Mills in Portsmouth dockyard - where a world technological first took place. Marc Brunel (father of lsambard Kingdom) led a team of brilliant engineers who developed the world's first steam powered mass production factory to produce the thousands of wooden pulley blocks needed for the navy's ships. After years of campaigning the exterior of Block Mills is being repaired, but it still lacks a sustainable long-term use. Other issues which a long term management plan would be designed to address include the lack of local tall buildings policies, poorly designed waterside buildings, and decaying infrastructure such as Portsmouth Harbour station.
The Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust is being kept informed of progress on the bid, which involves five local authorities: Portsmouth and Winchester City Councils, Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils and the Isle of Wight Council - as well as maritime and underwater interests. Following a boat trip to explore the site at first hand during Architecture Week, a dossier and statement of universal value have been drafted. Support from the five local authorities is being sought and the many interested parties are being identified.
If you are interested in the proposal, please contact Dr Celia Clark on 02392 732912 or by email at CeliaDeane.Clark@btopenworld.com.