Cheshire Historic Environment Record
The Cheshire Historic Environment Record (CHER) is the record of all known archaeological sites and historic landscapes in Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington.
It includes sites dating from prehistory through to the military remains of the more recent past.
The Cheshire Historic Environment Record contains information on buried sites, revealed through excavation and survey or through aerial photography. It also contains records of earthworks, listed buildings and other standing structures, as well as stray finds, historic parks and gardens, battlefields and information on Historic Landscape Character.
Details such as the type of site, its date, location, description and sources are held on a database and linked geographical information system.
Additional information may include reports on surveys or excavations, correspondence, plans, published and unpublished material and photographs (including aerial photographs).
The level of information and accuracy varies between records, depending on the available sources. Some sites are known only from 19th century or earlier chance discoveries and their exact location may be vague. Others are based on modern excavations or surveys which can produce much more detailed information.
The CHER is continually updated. Information on new sites and finds and additional details about existing sites are provided by professional archaeologists, museums, local researchers and members of the public. The significance of an archaeological site or historic building can therefore change as new information leads to its re-interpretation. In addition the CHER is reviewed in line with national data standards and developments in new technology.
Who uses the CHER?
- Planners for forward planning and development control
- Consultants for information on the archaeological impact of development proposals
- Statutory agencies such as the Forestry Commission and Public Utilities for information on the archaeological impact of proposed works
- Archaeological contractors before and during fieldwork
- National bodies such as English Heritage as a source of information for national surveys
- The local community, teachers and students for research, education, leisure and tourism
Information from archaeological work carried out in the county, such as national surveys, developer-funded fieldwork or private research, is fed back into the CHER.