Advocacy: Speaking up for Hampshire’s heritage

Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society has a long history of taking a stand when the county’s historic environment has been under threat. As well as promoting research into Hampshire’s past and sharing the results, the Field Club exists to encourage the preservation and conservation of archaeology, historic buildings, objects, records and landscape.

The society is part of the informal network of local groups across the county with similar concerns. Regular contact between members of these groups is an invaluable way to monitor issues and share information about developments that might have a major impact on the long-term survival of historical assets or information.

These developments might include:

• Changes to government and local authority planning policies, strategies and plans
• Proposals for major housing and infrastructure developments that might have an impact on heritage sites of national or local importance
• Threats to services that protect parts of the historic environment

We are not in a position to respond to many local issues, but where we can, we will lend our voice to any campaign needed to save a significant part of Hampshire’s heritage from being damaged or lost forever. Alternatively, if time is limited, or there are potential conflicts of interest, we may be able act as a route through to those who can make a stand.

We recommend that campaign groups study the webpages of the Council for British Archaeology.