Pocklington Canal 'safe'

FOLLOWING wide consultation, a new agreement as been reached on the future of the Pocklington Canal.

This agreement between British Waterways, English Heritage and East Riding of Yorkshire Council outlined the future of heritage structures along one of Britain's most scenic and heritage rich waterways.

The Heritage Partnership Agreement (HPA) is intended to improve the management of heritage structures along the Pocklington Canal. It is believed that the agreement, which brings together the principles of existing BW heritage standards, policies and principles, will raise the standard of works and provide reassurance for Local Planning Authorities that maintenance work is completed to a high heritage conservation standard.

Increased understanding

The agreement will provide an ongoing management tool that is open to review and scrutiny as well as providing clarity on what requires heritage consent. Crucially it also involves a partnership between the owner and the regulators, it has increased understanding, goodwill and trust.

Commenting on the report, Judy Jones, Heritage Advisor for British Waterways remarked:

"British Waterways is the third largest owner of listed structures in the UK, and  as a result, we work hard to help conserve and promote our heritage as the canals are such an essential part of the nation's heritage."

"The shift toward partnership agreements with others in the management and maintenance of assets, and the recognition by partners and regulatory bodies that BW is highly competent in the arena of self management of heritage, is a positive step forward."

Monitor and manage

Peter Ashcroft, Head of Planning and Development Management for East Riding of Yorkshire Council commented:

"The HPA will help to monitor and manage the canal's future well-being as it relates to the structure as a whole and deals with different interests, not just those for the Listed Buildings. We appreciate the HPA as a tool to clarify whether specific planning consents will be required and also hope that it will enable us to develop a sustainable future for this valuable part of our landscape and heritage in co-operation with our partners."

Single standard

Basically, what it means is that instead of various agencies having their own ideas on heritage, the new partnership will have a single standard, which hopefully will stop the protracted and costly arguments of the past, which are often to the detriment of the waterways.

The HPA will run for a period of five years, until 2014, with a potential for a further five year extension.