THE ‘FEWER HERITAGE ASSETS’ CLUSTER

e.g. Corby, Runcorn, Washington, South Ockendon

Areas within the ‘Fewer heritage ‘assets’’ cluster are those that do not hold the status of cities, county towns, or market towns. They do not have barracks, universities or professional football clubs, and do not possess long histories – with some being New Towns. House prices are lower than regional averages and there are few pubs.

 
There are a couple of interesting exceptions here – such as Glastonbury, which happens to fall partially into this category but is obviously best known by a clear marker of identity, its music festival, as well as thriving independent businesses, despite not having any of our identified ‘assets’. But most towns that fall into this cluster do not have such clear markers of place, and are often living in the shadow of larger and better known conurbations. 

Many of the places within the cluster have a relatively settled population, indicated by large amounts of social housing, or else of newer accommodation for home owners. Transport connections may be good, but there are fewer community facilities. 

The abiding challenge in places with ‘Fewer heritage ‘assets’’ relates to latent attitudes rather than overt tensions, and to the difficulty of confidence in the area’s ability to absorb change. 

The issues can be helped by local work to develop clear place narratives, and to fund projects which champion these narratives.