Libraries and leisure

Access to information held by the Landscape Unit

The unit has a long-term aim of better understanding, cataloguing and publication on HertsDirect of all unique information held by the unit or its transfer to HER or HALS, return to copyright holders, and disposal where more appropriate, in accordance with Retention Guidelines for Local Authorities (where these clearly apply).

Currently not all the information has been processed in this way. Indeed some is not easily retrievable and heavy demands for information would affect delivery of the unit's other services. Researchers are requested to exercise discretion in making requests for information from the Landscape Unit, particularly where the Unit is only one of a number of sources.

The following provisional coding system can be taken as a guide to the unit's preferences for supplying information which has not yet been processed. This does not affect your statutory rights:

[1] Unique information. View by appointment. For permanent retention and may become archived at HALS.
[2] Some unique information for permanent retention. Access by appointment problematic since this contains in a few cases personal information subject to Data Protection Regs (such as former owners of land or images of people at landscape events). Where information of a non-personal nature is required the preference is that this database is interrogated by the unit and the information supplied by the unit. Some information being reviewed for transfer to HER/HALS.
[3] Available to view by appointment however most of this information simply replicates information in the public domain. As the Landscape Unit is a secondary source researchers are requested to get this information from the original authors, or their public library. Retention of this information is linked to administrative use, is periodically reviewed and disposals will not be recorded.
[4] Already published on Herts Direct.
[5] Unique information and for permanent retention. Typically available on request by email.
[6] Includes confidential information. Prefer that researchers obtain authorised information from original sources. Legal opinion will be sought prior to any disclosure by HCC.

Information stored by the unit which has not yet been processed includes:

• a legacy of hardcopy maps and working plans [1]
• copies of plans and paperwork submitted as part of planning applications considered by the unit [2] | [6]
• responses to requests for advice [6]
• information about historic parks & gardens in the county [2] | [3] | [4] | [6]
• copies of documents submitted prior to major developments [2]
• slides (transparencies) and photographic prints, including georeferenced images of Hertfordshire taken 1999-2002 (The "Millennium Collection") [1] | [2] | [6]
• digitised versions of some of the above images some [4] | mostly [5]
• photographs taken as a sample resurvey of the Millennium Collection [5]
• brochures and monographs on professional and Hertfordshire topics [3]
• copies of consultation responses [2]
• back copies of Horticulture Week and Landscape Design [3]
• background information used in preparing landscape character assessments [1]
• contract files [6]