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This project is intended to help identify and assess the significance of post-1840 cargo vessels, which are by far the most frequently encountered marine heritage asset as reflected in the National Record of the Historic Environment. The project has developed a mechanism for identifying important cargo vessels through a pilot study off the Tees, from Blackhall Rocks to Staithes. The intention of the mechanism is to identify cargo vessels that are of national importance and to facilitate the preparation of statements of significance. The mechanism works by providing a clear articulation between the physical fabric of individual cargo vessel wrecks and the overall context within which they were built, used and lost. The mechanism focuses on five sets of narratives that are key to understanding post-1840 cargo vessels, to communicating their importance to the public, and to selecting examples that might warrant a heritage management response. The five narratives are construction, motive power, trade, life on board and the relation to England's history, encompassing the entire spectrum from international to local. From an initial dataset of 58 wrecks, 37 cargo vessel wrecks have been considered in detail in the course of this pilot. Of these, 16 were considered to be sufficient interest to warrant the preparation of Statements of Significance, of which seven have been prepared to accompany this methodological pilot.

This is the end report of a project commissioned as part of the National Heritage Protection Plan; produced by Fjordr Ltd for English Heritage. It characterises marine spatial planning methodology applied to the historic environment. The report reviews the character of the marine historic environment in the light of the conceptual framework of sustainable development and considers the different emphases that animate marine spatial planning. The report also looks in detail at the place of the historic environment in ecosystem-based management, ecological services and socio-economic assessment. The report goes on to present an extensive account of law and policy relating to the historic environment within marine spatial planning in different domains, from global international law to locally-based planning. The final part of the report seeks to provide practical guidance on how the historic environment is best addressed within marine spatial planning, taking into account in particular the wide scope of decision-taking by public authorities that is subject to marine plan policies, and the need for proactive policies that encompass all the guiding principles of sustainable development.

The recent growth in wave and tidal energy demonstrates our dependence on the sea in seeking to meet society's needs. It is the latest phase of a very long relationship with the sea for resources, driven this time by recognition that future use must be much more sustainable than in previous centuries. Mindful of our place in history as we shape the environment of the future, it is important that this new use of the sea does not detract from what remains of our predecessors' use and inhabitation of the coasts and seas around us. The guidance is intended for wave and tidal energy developers; regulators; curators; environmental and engineering consultants; and archaeological contractors/consultants. It is intended to provide an introduction both to wave and tidal energy and to the historic environment, and to present guidance on specific issues where there is a common interest in achieving resolution. The guidance is intended to enable all parties to engage with the historic environment constructively; to help provide clarity in relation to planning; to avoid circumstances in which heritage assets become an unreasonable or unexpected constraint; and to create greater certainty for all concerned.