Scope of the group
| Working Group Name | Heritage & Character |
| Aims | To identify the unique heritage and character of Sunningwell Parish with the aim of protecting, preserving and enhancing that heritage and character for the benefit of residents, visitors and future generations. |
| Scope | Identify the physical assets (natural and man-made) that contribute to the life and character of the parish, including:Listed propertiesNon-designated heritage assets, e.g. sites and items of historic or architectural significance or interest, the built environment in relation to its natural setting, built assets (including individual properties where appropriate), green assets, views and sight-linesAssets of Community Value e.g. buildings and areas used for community gatherings and activitiesIdentify the community activities and amenities that contribute to the life and character of the parish, including:Community organisations and businesses based within the parishEngage with the community to understand the aspects of heritage and character that people collectively value, and ensure this is documented as part of the Neighbourhood PlanPublicise & promote educational activities relating to the above |
| Current Members | Judy Aspinall, Bob Evans, Duncan Graham, Karen Laister, James Weeks, Richard Youdale |
Meeting summaries
14 January 2026
The first 2026 face-to-face meeting of the Heritage & Character Working Group was in Bayworth Chapel Hall on 14thJanuary, although much work had been carried out in advance of this in updating the consolidated document which had been used to pull together the various historical and inventory/listing sections that Group members had been working on.
Shortly prior to the meeting, the consolidated document was transferred into the same format being adopted by other Working Groups and expanded with images suggestive of what could be used in the final document.
Suggested questions for inclusion in a wider consultation with the parish were also presented, which will be consolidated with those produced by other Working Groups.
It was concluded that some revision of the Working Group report, including Executive Summary and additional potential images, should be carried out before submission to the Steering Group and the end of the week.
21 October and 12 November 2025
The Heritage & Character Working Group met in the Bayworth Chapel Hall on 21st October, with a follow-up in the same location on 12th November 2025.
The first order of business was to agree the scope that the Working Group would cover, acknowledging that some overlap with other Working Groups is inevitable. The agreed scope is shown above.
A brief history of the Parish is being prepared. This will provide evidence to support the Policies in the Neighbourhood Plan, and excerpts from it will undoubtedly be used to set the context in the introduction. This history is drawing on the considerable knowledge already within the Working Group, but others within the Parish will have valuable local knowledge that we hope to capture and include.
An inventory of Heritage Assets is also being drawn-up. Suggestions for items to be included on this list will be most welcome.
If you would like to know more detail, or to join this Working Group, please contact one of its members, or send an e-mail to neighbourhoodplan@sunningwell-pc.gov.uk