Agenda item

Parliament Hill viewpoint interpretation

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that informed members of an interim solution to provide up-to-date interpretation of the iconic views from Parliament Hill.

 

The Superintendent advised that a QR Code linked to an annotated image of the view on the City Corporation website had been installed at the summit of Parliament Hill at the beginning of July. He added that a working group would be established to consider how best to develop interpretations of both strategic views, the second being on the east side of Parliament Hill, lower than the summit. Pruning of trees to one side of this area would be carried out in autumn 2015 to help open up views of all the principal towers of the Palace of Westminster. The working group would also consider the type of signage and the inclusion of appropriate markings of the historical landscape.

 

In response to members’ questions, the Superintendent advised that English Heritage were responsible for information signage at viewpoints on Kenwood land. The member representing the Friends of Kenwood added that the latest proposal involved an image of historic buildings engraved on stone, which would require planning permission in November 2015 if agreed.

 

In response to member’s questions regarding the erection of new buildings within the strategic sight-line, the Superintendent advised that although officers would like to be able to monitor future planning applications for developments that might affect the strategic view but staff resources were limited and directed towards protecting the Heath from the impact of development adjacent to or in close proximity to the Heath. It was ultimately the responsibility of the local planning authority to consider the impact of planning applications upon the strategic views.

 

RESOLVED – That the Parliament Hill viewpoint interpretation be noted.

 

Supporting documents: