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Have your say on Cannock Chase National Landscape’s Historic Environment Strategy - Chase past, present and future

Chase past, present and future is our first Historic Environment Strategy for the National Landscape*. Its publication will fulfil a commitment in our AONB Management Plan 2025-2030 to publish a Strategy by 2026.
We are seeking views on the priorities that we have set out in our Consultation Draft of the Strategy to understand, enjoy and care for the area’s rich and diverse historic environment.
We will take into account all comments gathered in producing the final version of the Strategy.
Please share the link to the survey if you can, so we can gather as many views as possible. All information that you provide will be anonymous and confidential; no personal data will be shared with other parties.

*National Landscape is the new name for Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Part 1 About the Strategy
1.To what extent do you agree or disagree with the vision for the Strategy?
The historic environment of Cannock Chase will be in the best possible condition, managed sustainably with the support and active involvement of landowners, managers, local communities and visitors. It will be valued by all who live, work in and visit the area: accessible, inclusive, alive and inspiring.
2.Please use the text box to explain what you like about the vision or what you would change.
3.The vision is underpinned by six guiding principles. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of them?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1. The historic environment is fundamental to the character, sense of place and natural beauty of Cannock Chase.
2. Cannock Chase is a lived-in, dynamic working landscape in an environment that is changing; further change is inevitable, and the historic environment will need to be effectively and sensitively managed in ways that will best sustain heritage values whilst recognising opportunities to better reveal or enhance significance.
3. The historic environment is an essential component of people’s surroundings and a shared resource; its inclusive access and enjoyment are integral to its protection and future.
4. Access, interpretation and conservation efforts will be mindful of the four thematic story strands that have been developed for the Chase.
5. Research, survey and insight underpin all access, interpretation and conservation actions.
6. More will be achieved by working together and pooling efforts and resources to further the understanding, enjoyment and conservation of the historic environment of Cannock Chase.
4.Please use the text box to explain what you like about them or what you would change.
5.The strategy has three core aims: UNDERSTANDING, ENJOYING and CARING. Do you think these aims are the right ones?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1. Understanding - To have a proper understanding of what we have and why it is important, as well as the vulnerabilities and issues affecting historic environment resources
2. Enjoying - To celebrate and promote engagement with the historic environment for the multiple, health, wellbeing and public benefits it brings
3. Caring - To protect heritage assets and ensure their sustainable management, taking into account the requirements to safeguard other aspects of the Chase’s natural beauty, as well as the needs and aspirations of those who live, work in and visit it.
6.Please use the text box to explain what you like about them or what you would change
7.There are 14 objectives within our Strategy. Please read through each and let us know how strongly you agree or disagree with each of them.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1. Augment the Historic Environment Record as an essential basis for informed decision making.
2. Broaden our knowledge and understanding of the Chase, commissioning further research where there are gaps.
3. Promote the contribution the historic environment makes to the sense of place and to the natural beauty of the protected landscape.
4. Understand the needs, challenges and opportunities facing historic environment resources as well as those people with a stake in their future.
5. Make information about the historic environment more accessible to wider audiences, including those who aren’t currently engaged.
6. Actively encourage diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and connection with the historic environment.
7. Expand intellectual and physical access to the historic environment of Cannock Chase, broadening experience and understanding.
8. Increase appreciation of the historic environment and so contribute towards its protection and conservation.
9. Promote a healthy, active lifestyle through engagement with the historic environment.
10. Promote the sustainable management of the historic environment.
11. Enhance heritage assets and make them more resilient.
12. Integrate the historic environment within all plans for the National Landscape, balancing the needs of heritage, nature and people.
13. Develop the necessary resources, expertise and skills to adequately care for the historic environment.
14. Raise landowners’ awareness of the heritage assets in their landholdings and advise on sustainable management practice.
8.Please use the text box to explain what you like about them or what you would change.
9.Our Framework sets out a number of Key Actions to meet the Objectives of the Strategy. Do you think that this captures the main priorities for action?
10.Please use the text box if you think other Key Actions should be included to meet the Objectives
11.Our Strategy includes four thematic story strands to help focus and co-ordinate the delivery of projects over the next five years, and to assist audiences to understand what is a complex landscape. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the themes?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1. The Thrill of the Chase
2. Home is where the Heath is
3. Making a living
4. The Chase at War
12.Please use the text box to explain your answer.
Implementing the Strategy
13.Three Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been identified for each of the three core aims to track and report progress against the Strategy. To what extent do you agree or disagree with these KPIs?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Understanding
Number of heritage assets assessed for their condition
Number of entries added to the Historic Environment Record
Number of research projects
Enjoying
Number of visits to heritage attractions
Number of heritage assets with interpretation in place
Number of volunteer hours
Caring
Number of entries on the Heritage at Risk Register
Number of heritage assets with effective guardianship in place
Number of relevant projects delivered from the project portfolio
14.Our Strategy includes a portfolio of new potential projects to help deliver its aims and objectives. Do you think that these capture the main potential projects?
15.Please use the text box to provide suggestions in relation to any of the potential projects or to suggest alternatives if you think other projects should be included to meet the aims and objectives.
Part 2 About You
16.How would you describe your interest in the Historic Environment Strategy? (Tick all which apply)
17.What age group are you?
18.What is your postcode? (this information will only be used to map responses at a general level)
19.We would also like to understand how representative the survey responses are of all communities with an interest in our National Landscape. Please tick all boxes that apply.
20.Which heritage asset(s) on Cannock Chase are most important to you? (For example, this may be a particular building, Conservation Area or monument or place)
21.Do you have any particular concerns about the Chase’s historic environment?
22.Are you currently involved in any heritage organisations or groups?
23.If applicable, what role would you like to have in delivering the strategy?
24.Do you have any final comments on the draft Historic Environment Strategy?
25.If you would like to receive further information on the Historic Environment Strategy please let us know your email address. Your data will only be used for the purpose which you have requested and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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