CAPITALISING ON THE INHERITED LANDSCAPE. An introduction to historic characterisation for masterplanning

Transcription

1 CAPITALISING ON THE INHERITED LANDSCAPE An introduction to historic characterisation for masterplanning

2 Collaborative guidance from the Homes and Communities Agency and English Heritage to help developers and planners capitalise on the inherited landscape in the shaping of places where people wish to live and work. English Heritage (EH) is the leading Government agency for the sustainable management, use and enjoyment of the historic environment in England. We promote understanding of how the diverse legacy of the past contributes so much to the essential character of everyday landscapes. For the future, we can advise designers, developers, local authorities and communities on how the inherited landscape can continue to shape vibrant places. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single housing and regeneration delivery agency for England, helping to create great places and affordable homes. We are a national agency that works locally. We act as a bridge between national targets and local ambitions, harnessing the resources of public, private and voluntary sectors, providing a single point of contact for all those involved in helping communities to thrive. Shaping a historic future 5 Characterisation and regeneration 6 Characterisation in its policy context 8 Characterisation in the English Heritage/Homes and Communities Agency joint pilots 11 Conclusion 14 Characterisation for masterplanning 16 Further information 17 Acknowledgements The contents of this guide include materials reproduced under the following copyrights: Maps reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office. Crown Copyright. Homes and Communities Agency GD Historical mapping on green belt data supplied by Landmark Information Group. Landmark Information Group Limited All rights reserved. Aerial Photographs Copyright Getmapping. Capitalising on the inherited landscape

3 FOREWORD One of the greatest challenges in a country with a rising population and rapidly changing lifestyles is to design and maintain places where people enjoy living and working whilst maintaining the essential character of place and landscape that we have inherited from the many generations of our predecessors. This brochure is a joint publication because our two agencies form a natural partnership in facing this challenge. English Heritage brings long experience of understanding the historic character of our landscape, not just of the important wellprotected buildings but of the more everyday essence of place. The approach we promote in this introductory brochure is a relatively new one, that of historic characterisation, but what is most new about our proposal is the use of this method at the very earliest stages before even masterplanning starts, and as part of a spatial planning more than a conservation approach. We are concerned with using the historic environment as resource for making new places to capitalise on our inheritance for the benefit of those that will follow. We are delighted to be doing this in partnership with HCA. Baroness Andrews Chair English Heritage The Homes and Communities Agency is a new agency with a new vision with new approaches and new methods of working and it gives me particular pleasure to welcome this first collaborative publication with our fellow agency, English Heritage. The biggest challenge we face operating in different and difficult times is to meet housing demand in a sustainable way. A bad market is neither an excuse nor a reason for building bad houses and places that we will regret in 10 or 20 years time. We now don t just talk about sustainable communities but make real efforts to turn this concept into a reality on the ground. The HCA offers our partners in both the public and private sectors, the opportunity to regenerate, remediate, recycle, re-new and re-use literally thousands of hectares inherited from our industrial and institutional past a huge contribution to the government s housing target. Just think where otherwise these homes might be built We want to create exemplary communities that will be recognised and recommended as making a contribution to the heritage of our country, by way of future heritage designation. This guidance builds on the collective experience of both our organisations and offers a practical and pragmatic place-based process to make sure we learn from the legacy of our predecessors how to create the community heritage assets of the future. We hope that this guide can be used right across the sector to help pioneer a new way of looking at placemaking, by considering the historic aspects of a site right at the start of the planning process. Robert Napier Chairman Homes and Communities Agency Capitalising on the inherited landscape 1

4 Aerial photograph of Lancaster Moor Hospital, Lancaster 2 Capitalising on the inherited landscape

5 CAPITALISING ON THE INHERITED LANDSCAPE This guide explains: the importance of characterisation in regeneration. the existing policy context for historic characterisation. the pilot work that informs this guide. the long term benefits of using historic characterisation for design, development, de-risking and regeneration. Illustration of the different periods of woodland and planting at Prudhoe Hospital site, Northumberland Capitalising on the inherited landscape 3

6 Aerial photograph of Graylingwell Hospital site, Chichester 4 Capitalising on the inherited landscape

7 SHAPING A HISTORIC FUTURE This document introduces a distinctive, simple and rapid way to take advantage of the inherited character of a regeneration site. Few development sites in this country are blank sheets. Rather they are the result of many decisions taken by our predecessors over many generations, often over centuries. Understanding those past decisions can help us make better decisions about tomorrow. Not to recognise this carries risks as well as losing sight of valuable opportunities. The fresh perspective offered here focuses on the benefits of forming an early understanding of what a site offers at a stage when a broad idea of its historic character is needed, rather than the detailed knowledge about fabric that might be useful later in the design and planning process. It also advocates taking note of the wider contexts and the setting of sites beyond their ownership boundaries. It is capable of absorbing and responding to community considerations. Provided it is initiated during the very first steps of planning for a site, the outcome will be a proactive constructive engagement. Our historic legacy is not limited to sites of special significance but can embrace all aspects of inherited landscape. This broader view can be seen constructively, as offering valuable building blocks for creating a new sense of place, rather than merely identifying constraints to be worked around. Historic characterisation initiated before masterplanning creates a strategic overview of a potential regeneration site that will act as a stepping stone to better development. It will guide further research and later stages of design and improve the quality of planning and place-making. It also helps to identify, as with flooding and contamination, some of the constraints with which planning must engage. In addition, it helps minimise risks and delays to the development process. Economic development, if properly planned, should also bring social and environmental benefits. What Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) calls proper planning should include taking sensible and proportional account of the inherited landscape into which all new development is invariably fitted. Regeneration and place-making can make a positive contribution to the link between place and quality of life. It does this at a wide variety of scales, from a whole new city to urban extension or relatively small inner city redevelopment. At all these scales, historic characterisation offers a tool to create tomorrow s landscapes and the proposals in this guide support the aims of the European Landscape Convention which has been in force in the UK since March Capitalising on the inherited landscape 5

8 CHARACTERISATION AND REGENERATION Characterisation is a well established technique, developed by English Heritage and others such as local authorities and planning consultants to assist with the management of change in the historic environment. Characterisation One of the most successful and widely used types of historic characterisation is historic landscape characterisation (english-heritage.org.uk/characterisation). This has usually been carried out at county-wide level, aiming to inform and guide a variety of strategic planning, management and design purposes in a rural context. It also has specifically urban equivalents of various types such as conservation area appraisal, townscape and historic area assessments. Some of these, such as conservation area appraisals and historic area assessments, are concerned with defining values and assigning significance, but characterisation provides a strategic overview of an area that is critical to informing the early stages of planning and design before the question of value arises. It is concerned with local context and the patterns of overall character rather than focusing on individual sites, buildings and their fabric. It provides a tool for managing change and placemaking that is applicable and adaptable to many scales. English Heritage and the HCA recently carried out three pilot projects to explore how a wide range of characterisation methods might be tailored to assist high quality community place-shaping in the context of specific regeneration projects. The aim was particularly to identify premasterplanning benefits for medium to large scale sites. This guide presents the high level lessons of this work. An inheritance from the past Every development site includes a legacy from the past. This is not only the fabric of the built environment but also the human topography of any place where the present-day patterns (for example of route-ways, fields, woods and structures) reflect how people have lived in, used and shared places; all this can be the raw material for new design. What we add today is merely the next (and probably not the final) contribution to a long succession of changes. As with any journey, it is important to know how we have reached this point to help us decide future directions. Historic characterisation is designed to produce a better understanding of this legacy, its meaning and its sensitivity to and potential for change, so that it can be used or ignored wisely in the design and creation of new places and landscapes. and a legacy for the future A thorough approach to masterplanning involves understanding all aspects of the character of a site, noting the historic features or deep-seated patterns that could contribute to a future sense of place, and identifying the opportunities and constraints that a site or series of structures presents. No development site of any size is a blank sheet historically, but its heritage is not necessarily a constraint. The historic character of a site is a platform and can be a template for change. A site s heritage can be used, through characterisation, in a positive way as a legacy for the future. 6 Capitalising on the inherited landscape

9 Sooner rather than later When, where and why historic characterisation is useful Historic characterisation is a cost-effective approach when used as a framework to inform discussion with key stakeholders as ideas start to develop. It is of greatest benefit when applied right at the beginning of a masterplanning process, in advance of any initial site planning and design work and well in advance of any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The sooner it is carried out, the more likely it is that conflicts will be avoided, that stakeholders will be signed up, and that the maximum benefits of the site s historic resources will be extracted. The techniques described are most useful for medium to large sites with a complexity of existing structures and spaces that convey a story from the past. These sites may or may not possess conventionally recognisable heritage significance, but will always offer a context for change, and are often of great local or community significance and potential. Historic characterisation is of great help in understanding how such sites have developed over time; what their important historical development patterns are and how these might shape future changes. It can often predict the existence of hidden historic values that can derail development if noticed too late. Other more detailed survey or research techniques may be needed later in the process, but without early characterisation work there will be no overall framework for more fine-tuned analysis and decision-making. Once this information is accessible it can be used by the local authority, the community, masterplanners and developers to: create a vision for development that defines a strong, legible, local identity connect the inherited character of a site to its surrounding area, integrating new places with their older neighbours design a versatile, viable, flexible, future-proofed, adaptable, compatible, socially and environmentally sustainable place where people want to live, enjoy, entertain and work provide a context for more detailed analysis and consideration. Why use historic characterisation in masterplanning? Masterplanning is both the process by which organisations undertake analysis and prepare strategies and the proposals that are needed to plan for major change in a defined physical area. Masterplans set out proposals for buildings, spaces, movement strategy and land use in three dimensions and match these proposals to a delivery strategy. Regeneration always takes place within an inherited environment. It is wise to understand how a place has developed before changing it. This is usually part of the recipe for successful and sociallysustainable development. Area-based characterisation is thus simply a straightforward common-sense starting point for using the historic environment constructively as the raw material for designing and making a new place. It contributes to the value of regeneration by helping key decision-makers see how they can capitalise on the inherited environment by understanding both its positive and negative aspects. There is nothing new about the idea that our inheritance from the past the historic environment influences the creation of future places. But it can be useful to acknowledge this more consciously, accessibly and explicitly. This is why the approach summarised in this guide is designed to be used at the earliest stage of the regeneration planning process, when it offers an overarching, broad brush approach to understanding the site. It also considers the site as a whole, and takes the overall character of place as the starting point for decisions about shaping a new place. Capitalising on the inherited landscape 7

10 CHARACTERISATION IN ITS POLICY CONTEXT Historic characterisation is not only a useful method of raising awareness of the historic dimension of the landscape. It can also support delivery of a multiplicity of government policies, whether place-shaping, environmental care, socio-economic growth or a sustainable combination of all three. It can significantly inform and enhance local government Design and Access Statements and the Local Development Framework, and it complements other place-focused approaches (such as those developed by CABE and local authorities) which share the same goals but can be applied in different circumstances. The importance of inherited character to spatial planning This approach has been designed to fit with the Government s objectives currently set out within the following PPS documents: Spatial Planning: to shape the places where people live and work PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development (2005) The key objectives of planning include ensuring developments respond to their local context and create or reinforce local distinctiveness Good design contributes positively to making places better for people. Design which is inappropriate in its context, or which fails to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area and the way it functions, should not be accepted. (Paragraph 34) Good design should be integrated into the existing urban form and the built environment (Paragraph 35) PPS1 Annexe: Ecotowns the challenge to create cohesive communities where people want to live and work. PPS3 Housing (2006) Creating places.. which have.. their own distinctive identity and maintain and improve local character. (Paragraph 14) Development should aim to be wellintegrated with, and (to) complement..., the neighbouring buildings and the local area. (Paragraph 16) PPS6 Planning for Town Centres (2005) Government objectives are to promote high quality and inclusive design, improve the quality of the public realm and open spaces, protect and enhance the architectural and historic heritage of centres, provide a sense of place and a focus for the community and civic society... (Paragraph 1.5) Policies for the design of development for main town centre uses, regardless of location, and for development in town centres, should promote high quality and inclusive design, in order to improve the character and quality of the area in which such development is located and the way it functions. (Paragraph 2.19) PPS7 Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (2004) All development in rural areas should be well-designed and inclusive, in keeping and scale with its location, and sensitive to the character of the countryside and local distinctiveness. (Paragraph 1, vi) PPS12 Local Spatial Planning (2008) Spatial planning.. aims to.. produce a vision for the future of places that responds to the local challenges and opportunities. (Paragraph 2.1) The vision should be informed by the characteristics of the area and its constituent parts and the key issues and challenges facing them. (Paragraph 4.1) 8 Capitalising on the inherited landscape

11 Draft PPS15 Planning for the Historic Environment The historic environment has a unique potential to contribute to a sense of place by helping to define the history and character of a particular area (Paragraph 1.2) Series of maps illustrating the dates when new buildings were added to the Prudhoe Hospital site, Northumberland The draft PPS highlights the importance of ensuring that adequate information and evidence bases are available, to ensure that the historic environment... is fully taken into account in plan-making and decision taking. (Paragraph 1.12) Examples of complementary or parallel methods and approaches: Heritage Works The Lincoln Townscape Assessment method Conservation area appraisals Historic area assessments (see Character and Identity: Townscape and Heritage Appraisals in Housing Market Renewal Areas by CABE/English Heritage and English Heritage s forthcoming Understanding Place: Historic Area Assessments principles and practice) ATLAS Toolkit (particularly in the stage for evidence base) CABE s Guidance on Masterplanning and Urban Design By Design. Urban Design in the Planning system: towards better practice, CABE, 2000 CABE Building for Life PlaceCheck Enquiry by Design Manual for Streets. Capitalising on the inherited landscape 9

12 Aerial photograph of Prudhoe Hospital site, Northumberland 10 Capitalising on the inherited landscape

13 CHARACTERISATION IN THE ENGLISH HERITAGE/ HOMES AND COMMUNITIES AGENCY JOINT PILOTS Character and Change The English Heritage/HCA characterisation pilot projects were carried out to find new ways of using the historic character of places to assist with the regeneration of large inherited complexes in the context of place-shaping. The focus was on understanding the broad historical development and pattern of a site and how this can make a positive contribution to the planning and design process to improve the overall quality of development. Three former hospital sites were chosen. The pilots took place in the context of real site-planning, but the aim of the experiments was to lay the foundation for a generic methodology for future developments rather than to influence the development of the sites themselves, which were already some way through the masterplanning process. This allowed the pilots to experiment with different techniques in a way not always possible in real-time, and this guidance therefore offers not a single method but a general approach that comprises many different tools. Broadly, the approach is area- or landscape-based, and considers the site as a whole in relationship to its local context and generic type. It starts by acknowledging that the historic environment is the ubiquitous context for making new places, and that almost any site has a history that can be exploited to shape its future. It is thus defined by using an understanding of change to contribute to the place-making agenda. It draws upon the results of many similar heritage-based techniques such as historic landscape characterisation, urban surveys, historic area assessments and conservation area appraisals. It is, however, a relatively rapid technique because it collects, collates and evaluates existing knowledge rather than undertaking new surveys and research. Its aim is to see how the inherited landscape can be used in regeneration, rather than to identify which parts of the historic environment need special treatment. It is development-led not conservation-led. Historic characterisation identifies many of the key functional areas, structures (e.g. road and tracks, land boundaries) and components (e.g. buildings, walls) that contribute to a settlement s distinctive character and quality, and how it links to the patterns observable in the surrounding area. The overall inherited character of a site, which can be used to influence the manner and design of redevelopment, comprises a broad menu of separate but often inter-connected functional components. Components of character include: patterns of land use and settlement in and around the site, and their evolution up to the present day patterns of movement and access to, through, in and around the site, including connections and nodes landscape character, expressed in the size, scale, form and pattern of areas, building plots or fields the scale, form and inter-relationship of field boundaries, water courses and woodland topography, including views to and from the site the connections between the site and its surroundings chronological development of the site how buildings have developed in relation to access routes and historic open space within the site the balance and relationship between public and private space the density and scale of existing development, and the relationship of buildings to each other the type, past and present function, massing, scale, location and orientation of buildings architectural style and materials the form and function of structures and spaces. Capitalising on the inherited landscape 11

14 The Pilots The three pilot projects took place on the former hospital sites of Graylingwell, near Chichester, Hanham Hall, near Bristol and Prudhoe, Northumberland, which are all part of the HCA s Hospital Sites Programme. They all presented strong differences in character and opportunities to test different techniques. They were all wholly or largely disused sites in the process of transition to new places, and as such were ideal test-beds for developing creative approaches to the challenge of future change and design in inherited contexts. The experience of these pilots is more widely applicable to other types of site. All three were included or were associated with historic assets. They occupy distinctive locations on the periphery of expanding towns, and the lessons they teach are applicable to any urban-edge expansion. In the case of two of them, their original design can itself be seen to have been a conscious process of place-making to create high quality of life for medical and therapeutic purposes, and this adds another layer to the value of the pilots. The three pilots Common to all the pilots was an approach that aimed to: provide an area-based summary of the historical development of the whole site and its components describe the present inherited historic character (its time-depth ) of the site, wherever possible in a landscape context define character areas within the site which could provide a framework for development consider and recommend how the predominant historic characteristics or processes of the site s inherited character might influence the direction and shape of future change. Graylingwell Hospital Graylingwell Hospital on the northern edge of Chichester, West Sussex is a late Victorian hospital and designed landscape occupying the site of an historic farm, whose house still survives. It has a coherent radial design of 1894 with 20th century additions. Its orientation responds to a landscape structure inherited from the Roman and medieval periods. 12 Capitalising on the inherited landscape

15 Hanham Hospital Prudhoe Hospital The range of techniques used in the three pilots, including local and national sources of information plus GIS for description and analyses provide a toolkit for other sites. The techniques can be applied in different combinations and levels of detail to suit the specific requirements of any scale of site. Hanham Hospital, in the southern suburbs of Greater Bristol, was located within the grounds and buildings of a country house originating in the 17th century or earlier. Its purpose-built buildings in the former garden were constructed in the mid-late 20th century, and the site is now surrounded on three sides by early and late 20th century housing development. Prudhoe Hospital, Northumberland on the edge of a small market town west of Newcastle initially occupied a substantial country house and its associated park and outbuildings of the 1860s and 1870s. The main phase of development from the 1920s onward was an innovative plan of linked and centrally-serviced villages of wards and residences; both this and later phases of expansion demonstrate the evolution of public architecture through several decades. Capitalising on the inherited landscape 13

16 CONCLUSION Masterplanning for development is a dynamic process. It needs to be informed by a clear understanding of a site s past history. Sustainable use of the inherited landscape of the past can maximise both the economic and the social and environmental value of regeneration. As PPS1 explains, economic development, if properly planned, can have positive social and environmental benefits, rather than negative impacts. (Paragraph 24) Initial investment in characterisation pays off in two major ways: de-risking site development, and contributing through context and change to the design process. It reveals both the strengths and the weaknesses of a site s inherited character, identifying what can be capitalised on to create and catalyse successful contemporary development. Accessible, legible historic character (and a clear understanding of the series of changes through time that have created it) is a key element of a sense of place; it is recognised as one of the principal reasons for why people want to live and work in an area. It is embedded in government policy The condition of our surroundings has a direct impact on the quality of life and conservation brings social and economic benefits for local communities. (PPS1 paragraph 18) The early comprehensive understanding of a site s historic development created by characterisation informs and also identifies issues that will impact on the successful progression of the site s development. Stakeholders involved at the outset are more able to assist in identifying and resolving potential problems when they have been engaged in the non-adversarial process of assessing character. Understanding place, people and proposals accelerates pre-application discussion and facilitates smooth and rapid progress through the planning system.. Development-led not conservation-led approach Benefits of this characterisation approach for planning, regeneration and design include: integrated holistic understanding of the site in strategic, spatial and historic terms improved definition and explanation of inherited sense of place and identity recognition of the influence of past change and its impact on present day sense of place understanding of the context and connections of a site and its surroundings revealed opportunities to capitalise on existing inherited character for good layout and design identification of issues and risks at the initial stage of project development, thus creating greater commercial confidence for investing in the site provision of a positive point in the process to engage with planners, developers, investors and communities help in smoothing the passage of proposals through the planning process. 14 Capitalising on the inherited landscape

17 New ways of seeing the development site at the outset Understanding how: the present character of a site results from its past functions and development (its time-depth ), and provides links to the inherited character of the surrounding area different parts of a site, with different histories and character, can contribute in different ways in combination to the development of the site and its surroundings wider and more inclusive overviews (incorporating more traditional research methods as needed) are better placed to inform successful masterplanning than more traditional and selective research combinations of components of different periods characterising the site can create a dynamic continuity of development the impetus for change can be tracked from an established baseline which benefits future redevelopment of the site and its surroundings. Using an understanding of historic character for design to: identify constraints and opportunities assist future changes to connect to the historic and local context show how solutions for re-use and good design can be drawn out of existing discernible patterns in the wider historic landscape create awareness of the opportunities offered by the variety, diversity, strength and coherence of local character in relation to regional and even national trends provide context for managing ecological issues such as retention and enhancement. Most of all, historic characterisation can offer a new type of template for new design. The pilots show how ideas informing land use can be derived from characterisation: new development can follow the way the land has been laid out for centuries or 2,000 years as in Graylingwell new housing can be developed coherently on a site with three quite distinct traditions as at Hanham a tradition of innovative state of the art construction techniques in a variety of contemporary styles as at Prudhoe. Early investment in the sort of historic character-based masterplanning approach introduced here, based on the three hospital pilot projects, demonstrates the potential of the historic environment our inherited landscape to make a positive, valuable and creative contribution to the planning and regeneration process. Wherever the past is a part of the character of a place, it has great potential to be exploited and used to shape high quality future places and.. outcomes in which environmental, economic and social objectives are achieved together.. (PPS12, paragraph 13.i) Capitalising on the inherited landscape 15

18 CHARACTERISATION FOR MASTERPLANNING A framework towards an integrated approach to shape distinct places and communities Process Integration Outcomes Analysed summation of physical development patterns of a site and its context. 1 Scoping Identification of the project objectives/outcomes with key stakeholders and partners. 2 Desktop study and site visit Bring together site-specific and contextual historic data (e.g. published material, maps and photographs). Identify site components and their broader landscape context. 3 Understanding Explain how past drivers for change have influenced site character and context. 4 Analysis Identification of limitations and opportunities offered by the site and how these can inform and add value for design stages. 5 Recommendations for masterplanning Use this understanding to develop site development and relationship to surrounding area. > > > > > (at various levels) 1 Strategic Through best practice guidance. By Framework/Area Action Plans. For national/regional/local policy. 2 Socio-economic Through inclusive development. By adding value to the development process. For context to neighbourhood. 3 Spatial Through landscape and settlement context. By integrating access, spaces and built form. For public realm and open space network. 4 Place-making Through identity and sense of place. By landmarks and focal points. For creating sustainable communities. 5 Implementation Through phasing, funding and management strategies. By de-risking through collaborative process. For legacy of future developments. > > > > > Adding value to the masterplanning process through a strategic contextual understanding of past changes for future developments. 1 Change and context Recognition of past changes on future developments. 2 Constraints and opportunities Identifying risks through understanding development, character and values associated with development sites in a historical context. 3 Strategic direction Reinforcing good design through informing integrated masterplanning approaches. 4 Creating legacy One framework to inform how choices for future change can either reinforce or break away from the inherited character of places. 5 Documentation Compilation of historical development processes and patterns to facilitate and guide the process of change. (through approaches of) regeneration revitalisation rejuvenation 16 Capitalising on the inherited landscape

19 FURTHER INFORMATION CABE/English Heritage 2008 Character and Identity: townscape and heritage appraisals in housing market renewal areas. Available at character-and-identity English Heritage 2009 Understanding Place: Historic Characterisation guidance for planning and development. Available at server/ show/nav Forthcoming English Heritage 2009 Understanding Place: Historic Area Assessments principles and practice. Characterisation and Spatial Planning. english-heritage.org.uk/characterisation homesandcommunities.co.uk Aerial photograph of Prudhoe Hospital site, Northumberland NMR 12255/72 English Heritage.NMR 1994 Illustration of the different building dates at Prudhoe Hospital site, Northumberland Capitalising on the inherited landscape 17

20 homesandcommunities.co.uk T Louise Wyman Homes and Communities Agency Central Business Exchange ll Midsummer Boulevard Central Milton Keynes MK9 2EA homesandcommunities.co.uk Graham Fairclough English Heritage 1 Waterhouse Square Holborn London EC1N 2ST graham.fairclough@english-heritage.org.uk english-heritage.org.uk The Homes and Communities Agency is able to provide literature in alternative formats including large print, braille and audio. Please contact us on or by at mail@homesandcommunities.co.uk for further information. Publication date: October 2009 Publication code: HCA0035