This key aim of this project is to provide information that is sufficiently detailed so that informed decisions to protect and manage the heritage resource within the Site may be taken on the basis of the contents. Recommendations for future management and conservation of the Site is included within the report, with the aim of enabling the removal of the monument from the Heritage at Risk Register. The project also aims to enable a clearer understanding of the extent and condition of both visible and potential buried remains within the Site, and to enhance understanding of the evolution of the Site through time. Wherever possible the assessment elucidates the character, distribution, extent and importance of archaeological remains which exist within the Site, including those from a landscape perspective. It has not been the aim to re-record previously documented and well understood earthworks, but to identify new archaeological features, so that conservation and management recommendations can be based on an assessment of the overall heritage resource within the Site. Conservation Philosophy Conservation management planning for important elements of the historic environment is now a well-established process, and where relevant, this assessment has been undertaken in accordance with Conservation Plan Guidance, produced by the Heritage Lottery Fund (2017), and on their online resource3, as well as the approaches laid out in Informed Conservation: Understanding Historic Buildings and Their Landscapes for Conservation (Clark 2001). These documents are now widely accepted as best practise in Conservation Management processes. Conservation, as defined by Historic England under Principle 4.2 of Conservation Principles (2008), is the process of managing change in ways that best sustain the heritage values of an asset whilst identifying opportunities to reveal or reinforce those values and ensure its ongoing survival for future generations. A 'heritage asset' refers to all elements of the historic environment which have heritage values and includes archaeological monuments, built remains, and landscape characters. 3 Conservation planning good practice guidance | The National Lottery Heritage Fund Conservation management aims to respond to the need for conservation, by providing 'a sound framework for the management of significant places, particularly those in responsible long-term ownership' (2008, p48). Constructive Conservation is a conservation approach which focuses on actively managing change and is based on the principal that conservation strategy should first identify the heritage values of an assets, and then aim to sustain, or where feasible reinforce, those values. This approach is pragmatic and notes that in order for effective management, some elements of loss may be required to ensure that the key heritage values, or the elements of an asset with the highest significance, are retained. This approach is used to inform the management plan presented in Section 6. Data collection, analysis and presentation Key sources consulted as part of the desk-based research include the Devon Historic Environment Record, the Historic England Archive, historic cartographic and documentary sources, and Lidar imagery (Table 1). Source Data National Heritage List for England (NHLE) Current information relating to designated heritage assets, and heritage assets considered to be 'at risk'. Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register (HARR) Current information on the condition and risks to heritage assets considered to be 'at risk'. Devon Historic Environment Record (HER) Heritage sites and events records, Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) data, and other spatial data supplied in digital format (shapefiles) and hardcopy.
Clive Meaton (Wed,) studied this question.