City of York Historic Environment Characterisation Project

The City of York Historic Environment Characterisation Project is the latest in English Heritage's long running characterisation programme. It has for the first time created a narrative and graphic base-line understanding of the character and significance of the suburban areas of York: part of the setting of the historic core. It has also added an archaeological component to the character area statements contained within the York Central Historic Core Conservation Area Appraisal (Alan Baxter, 2011). The study is a major component of a number of key initiatives aimed at enhancing York's historic environment evidence base: for development management; strategic planning; and better revealing the significance of this great city for its citizens and its visitors. The methods used reflect three things: available resource; required outputs; and best practice. Best practice in historic characterisation has been developed over many years and indeed, the programme itself has long recognised that it is and should be an iterative process, each project adding something new to the mix.