Introducing Cornish Distinctiveness
Introducing the Cornish Distinctiveness Assessment Framework
Cornwall has a distinctive heritage. Our historic environment reflects the richness of our diverse society, culture and economy. This has developed over the millennia and centuries.
Looking south-east towards Carn Bosavern from Ballowall
The ways that people did and made things in the past has left a distinctive mark. Their actions have shaped places, sites, buildings, and structures. This has shaped Cornwall's landscape, culture and identity.
Cornwall is not uniformly unique. Places within Cornwall have their own histories and are distinct from one another. Redruth is not Camborne, and Pelynt is not Duloe.
Cornish Distinctiveness is an approach that embraces what it means to be Cornish. It also highlights and celebrates our local differences.
The Cornish Distinctiveness Assessment Framework identifies and explains these characteristics for those planning and managing change in Cornwall’s historic environment.
The development of Cornish Distinctiveness
In 2014 the Cornish were recognised as a national minority under the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for National Minorities. In 2015, the Case for Cornwall included a request for greater devolution of heritage matters.
The Devolution Deal between Cornwall and the UK Government, called for a study of the distinctiveness of Cornwall's historic environment.
Bord Ertach Kernow commissioned the ‘Cornwall Historic Environment Cultural Distinctiveness and Significance Project’. Funded by Cornwall Council and Historic England, it aimed to ‘ensure that the culturally distinctive values of the historic environment are fully recognised in designing change and making planning decisions’
The study identified the common themes that people regard as Cornish. It also looked at how these themes are expressed throughout Cornwall. The study led to the creation of a four-stage Cornish Distinctiveness Assessment Framework. This framework aims to help planning decisions and actions protect, our historic environment.
The Framework also provides a way to review features of the historic environment. To update or add new information to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Historic Environment Record.
Hensbarrow Downs and KenidjackHow can the Cornish Distinctiveness Assessment Framework be applied?
The Assessment Framework is designed to enhance and preserve Cornish distinctiveness. It supports changes planned by development and informed management of the historic environment. The Framework is a tool for everyone and various situations.
Three key examples of implementation of the framework are:
Enabling development - to support positive change through planning.
The Framework can help achieve better outcomes that protect or enhance Cornish distinctiveness. This might include large scale commercial projects which will impact a place or setting. Property owners planning smaller-scale changes to existing buildings. Planning officers reviewing those proposals on behalf of the Council. And local communities involved in Neighbourhood Planning.
Making decisions - to inform local plans and designation.
The Framework will be of interest to local authorities and those who designate areas. The 1990 planning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act requires local authorities to preserve and enhance their appearance. Local authorities must design and publish proposals to preserve and enhance designated areas. They must pay special attention to them when making planning decisions.
The framework facilitates both the development and implementation of Neighbourhood Plans. A Neighbourhood Plan sets out local planning policies for a parish or town. They form part of the local development plan. Neighbourhood Plan policies help decide whether to approve planning applications for new buildings. They also affect changes to existing buildings or infrastructure.
Encouraging enrichment - to guide active management of the historic environment
The Cornwall Historic Environment Cultural Distinctiveness and Significance Project, found that residents of Cornwall are passionate about Cornish distinctiveness. They care how distinctiveness affects their sense of place, sense of identify and wellbeing. The Assessment Framework will help local people and communities work with decision-makers. It will help them manage change, development and continuity, while understanding, respecting, and maintaining Cornish distinctiveness.
St Petroc’s Church in Bodmin, a view of Tintagel from Willa Park, and Redruth