Association of Conservation Officers Quarterly Newsletter No 10 • October1985 Context
Context Contributions from any member are welcome - indeed, essential! Please send copy to your Regional Contact, or direct to the Editor -addresses in next column. If possible, please type contributions in 85mm columns. If you have a choice of type,please use this one - which is Pica Elite 12. FORMATas this issue. Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. DEADLINESfor copy at the end of February, May, August and November respectively. ILLUSTRATIONS should be 85mmor 180mm finished width. Photographs should be ready screened. POST all information and copy to the Editor, Jenny Birkett, at 130 Bouverie Avenue South, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8EA; tel. 0722 336272 ext. 387 (office), or 0722 334129 (home). COVERPICTURE: ST MARY'SCHANTRY CHAPEL, WAKEFIELD This sketch was contributed by Bob Scriven of Wakefield District Council. This rare example of a combined bridge and chapel, dating from the Cl4, has fallen into disuse; despite the efforts of the District, no suitable alternative use could be found, but it now appears that the chapel will be declared redundant and taken on by the Redundant Churches Fund. REGIONALCONTACTS:CHANGES Please note the following changes -new addresses , phone numbers,etc are in the list. PETER RICHARDSis no longer Contact for East Anglia: he is replaced by JOHN DAVEY. ROGEREVANShas handed over the South region to CHRIS BRETT. GEOFF PINK, for the South East, has a new address and phone number. Page 2 ACOREGIONALCONTACTS NORTH: Brian Jobling: 0632 816144 (Tyne and Wear County Council) NORTHWEST: Mike King: 0704 33133 xl21 (Sefton Borough Council) YORKSHIRE:Robert Scriven: 0924 370211 (Wakefield Metropolitan DC) x417 W.MIDLANDS:Carole Ryan: 0743 222332 (Shropshire County Council) E.MIDLANDS:Tony Jenkins: 0629 3411 x7182 (Derbyshire County Council) SOUTHWEST: Chris Smith: 0272 290777 x530 (Avon County Council) SOUTH: Chris Brett: 0734 786833 x357 (Wokingham District Council) EAST ANGLIA: John Davey: 0245 352232 (Essex County Council) SOUTHEAST: Geoff Pink: 01 541 9416 (Surrey County Council) LONDON:Rosemarie MacQueen: 01 253 8455 (London Borough of Hackney) SCOTLAND:Nie Allen: 031 343 1911 (Conservation Bureau SDA) WALES: Trevor Thorpe: 0267 4567 (Carmarthen District Council) NORTHERNIRELAND: Colin Hatrick (Department of the Environment NI) ACO OFFICERS CHAIRMAN:Mike Pearce: 0%2 54411 x670 (Hampshire County Council) 52 Hollows Close, Salisbury,Wilts. SECRETARY:Tony Jenkins: 0629 3411 x7182 (Derbyshire County Council) 17 Crimicar Lane, Fulwood, Sheffield SlO 4FA TREASURER:Peter Richards: 0245 352232 (Essex County Council) 139 Lifstan Way Thorpe Bay, Essex SSl 2XG MEMBERSHIPSECRETARY:John Davey:0245 (Essex County Council) 352232 c/o Globe House, New Street, Chelmsford, Essex PUBLICITY: John Fidler: 01 734 6010 x721 (HBMC)or messeges on 01 741 7297 36 Ravenscourt Rd, London W6 OUG EDITOR"CONTEXT": Mrs Jenny Birkett (Salisbury District) 0722 336272 130 Bouverie Avenue South, x387 Salisbury, Wilts. SP2 8EA
EDITORIAL The Invisible Conservation Officer As I sat down to type a report on the foundation of the British Historic Buildings Irust, I turned on the radio and heard an enthusiastic voice announcing " ... and to tell us about the new British Historic Buildings Trust, we have in the studio Alan Bemrose ... " A fortunate coincidence, because the programme was one intended for those contemplating moving or buying a house (called 1Your Move or Min~), and I heard about the whole business of taking on older buildings from the point of view of Joe Public. The programme did a good job in explaining how Trusts, such as the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, took on and restored houses for sale; and there was an estate agent saying firmly that properly restored period features in a house pushed the value up, which warmed my heart considerably. Alan Bemrose stressed the advisory role of the new Trust; it will, apparently, be happy-to advise people on the right way to restore their houses. Grants were inevitably a major discussion point. The possibilities of English Heritage as a source were mentioned, both through Town Schemes and Section 10 grants. The impression appeared to be given that any building in a Conservation Area would automatically get a grant under Section 10. It was sad to find, however, that the role of the planning department; and, in particular, of the Conservation Officer, was barely mentioned in relation either to advice or grant information, although the Housing Improvement Officer featured strongly. The local authority architects department was mentioned as a source of Page 3 advice; the existence of 1962 Act grant was not mentioned at all to my knowledge. Surely, in a programme of this sort, our function as potential dispensers of advice and help should have been much more evident. This is only one of a number of instances. Numerous magazine and newspaper articles deal with house repair, conversion, and restoration for the amateur; they are notable mainly for their sketchiness when it comes to planning legislation and the part the local authority can play. Too often, its role is seen as purely restrictive, and "the planners" are a hazard to be negotiated rather than a source of help. Misleading information is common, even in national newspapers whose writers should know better. The commonest misconception is that if you live in a Conservation Area you can't do anything without consent. The fact that most permitted development rights are not affected by Conservation Area designation would surprise most property correspondents. I am sure I am not the only Conservation Officer who tries to give the impression, when talking to local societies and groups, that planners are not necessarily faceless bureaucrats whose only pleasure in life is achieving a refusal of consent by a committee. Now, isn't it time we started promoting ourselves nationally? It is generous of the new British Trust to want to offer advice and, of course, they have highly specialised knowledge; but shouldn't everyone be aware that their local Conservation Officer is nearer, has more local knowledge, may hav·e power to give a grant, can influence a planning decision, and has already been paid for out of the rates! We need a publicity sheet for ourselves and our job, to be sent to every national and local newspaper, magazine, and radio station. In areas where there is no specialised conservation staff ... well, perhaps the local authority will be embarrassed into thinking again about that if enoughpeople ring up and ask for the non-existent Conservation Officer.
BRITISH HISTORIC BUILDINGS TRUST The British Historic Buildings Trust ("yet another agency to deal with historic buildings", as Dame Jennifer Jenkins wryly admitted when intro~ ducing it) was born on October 2nd 1985 and the infant's head was wetted enthusiastically at the launch held at the Royal Society of Arts; for the child is of noble parentage, the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust being mainly resposible for its entry into the world. Alan Bemrose and Derek Latham, who have worked for many years with the Derbyshire Trust, are Director and Technical Advisor; other Trustees are Dame Jennifer (Chairman), Sophie Andreae of SAVE, Dr R.W. Brunskill, the Duke of Grafton, and Dr Michael Kelly. The justification for the new Trust's existence is that there is no other national 'fire-fighting' organisation to rescue a wide range of buildings. Acting principally in the same way as most local Trusts - as a revolving fund - the new Trust hopes also .. "to act as a catalyst to show what can be done in an imaginative way to create new life for old buildings. It will also encourage the formation of local trusts, advise individuals, organisations and public bodies,and carry out feasibility studies for problem buildings". The need for such an organisation has become increasingly necessary as local authority funds have reduced -particularly the housing funds which in the past have provided the 'big money' for residential conversion schemes. Page 4 The first projects proposed include Sir John Soane's Pell Wall Hall, Shropshire; Pear Tree Farm,Derbyshire; The Granaiies, Berwick-on Tweed; and houses at Lower Bridge St, Carmarthen. The Trust's initial requirement, not surprisingly, is money; it is appealing for £150,000 initially, partly to cover the modest costs of office· accommodation and administration at it~ base in Wirksworth, Derbyshire It is appropriate that a Trust emphsising its concern for humbler buildings and in particular redundant rural buildings should not be London-based. As well as the hard cash, the Trust is also appealing for everyone to act as 'eyes and ears' in bringing to its attention buildings in need of rescue. a English Heritage GRANTSFROMTHE HBMC- A CORRECTION Following the last issue of Context, Mrs Diana Phillips wrote from the HBMCto say that our comment on the distribution of grants, and the proportion given to outstanding buildings, was misleading. Grants for SlO work and for Town Schemes have both been increased and, in total, some £6m, represJnt a considerable sum of money. This we gratefully acknowledge. We still hope more money will be made available in modest grants to modest, and perhaps threatened historic buildings, preferably in a way which attracts contributions from others - perhaps the local authorities! Great houses may need large grants, but some slight economy on the larger grants may still be possible. However it is done, some help is needed at the bottom end of the market to stop the rot - the loss of the Grade II building, if not by outright demolition, then by senseless, insensitive or illegal alteration.
STAFFING FOR CONSERVATION English Heritage (HBMC) arranged for a questionnaire on staffing arrangements to be sent out with the last issue (No 9) of CONTEXT. Information on particular . istricts was not the purpose of the exercise, but rather information nationally in connection with a study which is intended for publication. HBMC would like to thank those who completed and returned the short questionnaire - in all 45 were returned, including 10 Counties, 34 Districts and one National Park Authority. Whilst the results are useful, they are too few to be reliable. Conservation Officers who have not responded are therefore asked to do so as soon as possible, using the form enclosed with this issue of CONTEXT. Members may like to know some of the provisional findings. In those authorities that do have conservation staff, the numbers tend to be very limited: 2.3 per County and 1.8 per District. Most staff members were on Principal Officer/ Senior Officer grades (74% in Counties and 83% in Districts); others were on APT grades. But the PO/SO grades included a substantial proportion of parttime Conservation Officers. In terms of full-time equivalent, Counties have an average of 1.15 staff on PO/SO grades, and Districts have 0.7. Figures for London Boroughs and Metropolitan Districts indicate higher levels of staffing. Brian Hennessy ." HBMC 'A) ~t" ... ,, LORD ELTON SPEAKS The new Minister of State for the Environment, Lord Elton, addressed the Town and Country Planning Summer School on 13 September. His general theme was of the need to speed up and simplify the planning processes, although he recognised it was not such an easy task, "I merely say that Page 5 it is generally the case that 'decisions deferred equals costs incurred'." He went on to reiterate the erroneous assumption that somehow conservation and development are opposites rather than the fact that they go hand in hand. "What the planning system as a whole is designed to do", he said, "is to hold the balance between two vital aims. These aims are, broadly, those of development and those of conservation and that balance is essential to our national well being." "No policy that is designed to conserve everything from the past, without distinction and without priority, would give this country the remotest chance of achieving the economic strength, or indeed the social amenities that it has the right to expect. Equally no policy that is designed to give untrammelled access to land and resources to every economic (or civic) venture, regardless of any criteria, could fail to scar the fair face of England beyond any surgeon's healing touch." LORD GNOMESPEAKS 'Private Eye' reports in its conservation-conscious 'Nooks and Corners' column the following moneyspinning operation, which would be admirably suited to Conservation Officers wanting to earn some spare-time cash. I quote:·"A friend who lives in a listed building was surprised recently to receive a circular from Messrs. Listed Building Insignia of Ipswich, inviting,him to spend £50 on a framed 'Certificate of Listing' and £75 on a 'Green Plaque' to screw to his front wall announcing that his house is of Special Architectural and Historic Int~rest. This firm claims to have been granted a 'unique licence' by HMSO to print the listing descriptions, even though the Statutory List is freely available to the public anyway. Worse, however, than the fact that these Green Plaques will disfigure facades and exacerbate that unhappy separation between "Our Heritage" and real England, is that they are commended as "well-designed .. and would .. grace any building entitled to them", bv none other than Sir Hugh Cassoa.,. 11
LEGISLATION Small improvement... Carol Ryan looks at the Green Paper ' • Home Improvement: A New Approach' A brief examination of the paper shows that it contains proposals which will interest all conservation officers. Some proposals are helpful, some are not. The paper begins with an assessment of the impact of grant aid. In the period 1979 - 1984, there has been almost a 100% increase in the number of grants available. Many conservation officers will know that these are not always to the advantage of the building concerned as far as the retention of traditional building materials, fenestration and internal features of interest are concerned. These figures in fact imply that there may have been a 100% increase in the loss of such features in rural cottages and terraced housing everywhere. The paper does however seek to encourage the need for timely repairs of guttering and re-pointing of brickwork. These are entirely the sentiments of conservation officers; but often re-pointing is doneand badly- when there is no need, and this one simple factor causes considerable detriment when the new pointing does not exactly match the old in style and mixture. The necessity of encouraging owners to help themselves is applauded, as is the need to use builders who have a warranty of good workmanship offered by the Building Employers Federation. Little is suggested as to how either of these aims is to be achieved, apart from local authorities being able to vet building contractors for grant-aided schemes. Building Societies are also suggested as a source of finance for renovation, but ACO is aware that building society surveyors may not be trained in the skills required for repairing old buildings, and can often impose constraints which are detrimental to the retention of character. Agency services -para. 21 Agency services from the private sector are suggested to organize renovation work. ACOwould not wish to see local Page 6 authority improvement grant personnel have reduced powers to do this, but would urge all such agencies to cease from offering the following unsatisfactory advice. a. Raising roofs in traditional rural rural cottages to increase ventilation; this has been known to result in the loss of valuable Cl7 roof trusses; and certainly results in a loss of scale. b. Replacing windows at eaves level with dormers, when rooflights can be used in conjunction with the existing windows to provide the necessary light and ventilation. c. Use of non-traditional materials, eg concrete tile instead of slate. d. Use of aluminium replacement windows e. Automatic gutting of interiors to make rooms bigger. f. Loss of traditional features of interest such as fireplaces in living rooms and bedrooms; also cast iron ranges, which can always be left as a feature if not in use. g. Blocking up of chimneys, which can lead to damp and condensation. h. Rendering over traditional materials such as brick or stone, particularly if there is no need whatever to doso. Financial help for owner/occupiers ACOwelcomes the removal of rateable value as a means of deciding eligibility for grant aid. In the past, many fine houses in poor repair have been unable to benefit because of this. Also welcome is the desire to channel grant aid to the most needy cases. Unfortunately, it is not felt that 'passporting', (giving grant aid to those eligible for housing benefit) will necessarily result in this; rather it may leave many
owners of small domestic buildings which are important to the loca1 scene out in:, the cold; al though it may well prevent unnecessary applications designed mainly to collect the grant regardless of the effect on the building. Also, moving away from relating the grant to the building alone is the perennial problem of all officers administering grant, and one which is not easily resolved. When should help be given (para.29), and .:..n what form? The proposal is to offer mandatory grant aid to any dwelling below the proposed new standard of fitness (see later notes). ACO feels that the emphasis here should be on the provision of a bathroom, kitchen, roof repairs and curing damp. The mandatory grant will only be offered to houses declared unfit. Discretionary grants such as improvement and repair grants have caused confusion, and will now be phased out to be replaced by a loan system, which will apply to all properties pre-1940 (not pre-1919 as previously). The loans are to be assessed as a percentage of the valuation of the property when work is complete, for purposes of re-payment. This means that if the house continues to increase in value,.more is re-payable than originally borrowed. Many owners will feel this to be a positive disincentive to seeking grant aid. The loan will be registered as a land charge, but will not be contributed to by the government. This is a major flaw, as in the early years local authorities will need an injection of capital. The local authority can vet builders, and only builders whose estimate is accepted can be used. The eligible expense limits are tied to the income level of the applicant, and care would need to be taken to see that this was not detrimental to listed buildings. Grant aid to developers (para 47) Grants would be given when the proceeds from sale are insufficient on their Page 7 own to provide an adequate financial return. Area Improvement policy (para 49) The main purpose of designating areas for improvement would be to attract funding from private sources. A single type is proposed -the Housing Improvment Area, and grant aid would pe available for a total of seven years to cure social problems by solving housing problems. Again, the emphahsis would appear to be away from the houses themselves, and throughout the paper there is no mention of retention of character. The paper could be more enthusiastic about enveloping and block repair of properties. Although this is no longer going to be limited ~o improvement areas, and there is going to be legislation to enable local authorities to carry out such work, owners will now have to contribute 10% of the cost for their individual property, except in cases of extreme hardship. ACO feels that there should be more emphasis on enveloping in the whole sphere of improvement and repair grants. The biggest single problem; particularly in urban~areas, is the need for roof repair .. It forms a very high percentage of applications for Town Scheme grant, and if Housing Act grant was directed towards the problem, then it would leave conservation grants greate~ scope for other important conservation work. Standards of fitness (para 61) There is to be a new 'tolerable standard' which in reality is very similar to the old, but a house only falls below standard if it fails to meet the requirements in one or more respects. No overall judgement is required. This may help to obviate the making of many unnecessary demolition and closing orders. The good news is that it no longer requires 'internal re-arrangement' - so the plan form of a building, so important for understanding its plan form and social status, may now stand some chance of staying intact. The
bad news is that it still contains a requirement for lighting and ventilation in all main rooms, so that there will still be a tendency to alter window openings or raise roofs - both of which are damaging to the integrity of a building. ACO urges its members who have strong views on this to make them known. Action against unfit dwellings The ACO does not welcome more promptness to carry out demolition orders if, as in the 1960's, this results in tragic losses. Many houses then declared unfit, but which escaped demolition, are today fine examples of their type because the private sector took an interest in their future. Thete is a virtual.scrapping of the concept of 'repair only at reasonable cost' - the advice seems to be that if a tenant can be re-housed, and the property put on the market, its value can increase significantly. Clearance (para 69) There is some evidence that the government is still sitting on the fence on this, despite an assurance the days of large scale slum clearance are over. The ACO feels that the encouragement of private developers needs to be guarded, especially where clearance of land is concerned. Local authorities must not be put in a position where they are under pressure to clear land so that developers can make a profit. This is very 'anti-conservation', Also the proposals for recompensing owners at market value could encourage neglect. Conclusion Regrettably, once again the opportunity has been lost to combine Housing Act grant and ~onservation grants, for optimum effect and to avoid loss of character. There should be a positive exhortation in this paper for local authorities to channel their resources in this way, particularly in rural areas and in conservation areas. Neither is there any mention of the importance of areas retaining their character through the retention of traditional building materials and regional characteristics, and yet Page 8 Housing Act grants and loans are still going to be the single biggest injection of capital which a house receives. This paper should encourage conservation officers and agencies organizing renovation work, and local authority improvement grant officers, to work positively together for the good of the environment. The ACO favours an emphasis in Housing Act grant on the provision of bathrooms and kitchens, and the basic repair of roofs using the existing cladding, and alleviation of damp problems - and recommends that interfer.Ence with the structure which frequently results in loss of important features should be halted. Carol Ryan West Midlands HOMEIMPROVEMENT- A NEWAPPROACH Government Proposals for Encouraging the Repair and Improvement of Private Sector Housiag in England and Wales. HMSO May 1985 £3.50 Editor's Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the members of ACO generally. PLASTIC CANOPIES NOT ACCEPTABLE ON LISTED BUILDING The Secretary of State recently refused an appeal against the decision of Salisbury District Council to refuse planning permission and listed building consent for the erection of a plastic canopy at the entrance to a club in a listed building. The Inspector's report concluded: '' The canopy to which the appeals relate forms an inappropriate and undesirable addition, both in regard to its design and materials, on the facade of the listed building. Furthermore, it is prominent in the views along the street of this and other listed buildings. Consequently, in my opinion the canopy is detrimental to the appearance and character of the listed building Journal of Planning Law, 1985, p669 Ref. SW/APP/T3915/A/84/022468
MEMBERS' FORUM For those of us lucky enough to have taken part in the first phase of the listed building re-survey, life is about to return to normal. The threeyear course is run, the end-of-term party is booked, and soon a lot of excellent fieldworkers will be seeking other fields to work. For those lucky enough to do the surveys as well as run them, there must be regret at the end of an enjoyable and stimulating time, but what other conclusions are to be drawn? It is a great pleasure to get to know a parish as a fieldworker does, and yet no-one is going to claim the omniscience Michael Heseltine once wished on his re-survey. So as you discover the building you missed, or you read the description which time, or weather, or owner, forced you to skimp, or as you attempt to explain to yet another owner why you are so sure of the 17th century date -there is an inescapable conclusion. The loss of the wide knowledge of the fieldworker, with only a pale green shadow left, is a great one. The usual reception from householders shows our constituency not to have diminished -for every one who objects to interference with his castle, there are nineteen who extend a welcome, who support the listing procedure and who hope their property will be included in the new list. Finally, it is strange to place your new greenbacks, much improved if less than perfect, alongside the established lists which you were not allowed to touch. They now appear, through no intrinsic f~ult but as the result of the passage of time and subsequent labour, quite inadequate. Nearly a decade is plenty of time for mistakes and omissions to come to light in the best researched work. Many established lists take no account of the widening of the criteria to include the bee-bole to whipping-gibbet categorynotably the work of the funerary mason Page 9 is excluded. Format and extent of description also differ. The ideal solution to the problem, which would also put off the waste of experienced fieldworkers, is obvious. No doubt continuing with the re-survey to bring the established, mainly urban, list up to date presents financial and other difficulties. But the need exists; there is a clear political advantage in striving towards uniform standards in a climate where ill-informed sniping at listing is fashionable; the staff are at hand. Surely a way should be found. Chris Smith Avon County Council CLAY TILES Salvaged clay tiles are increasingly difficult to find, with roofers advertising,to find new stocks (leaving worrying questions about the sources of these stocks). New hand-made clay tiles to match traditional types are unobtainable in East Anglia (apart from limited and expensive ones from Bulmer) and those available from further afield are often inappropriate for use here, for various reasons -too uniform in colour (Keymer), markedly different colour mix (Rosemary), or supply difficulties. We have special difficultied because no-one is making new tiles using gault clays -which are an important part of th~ colour mix across the region, and vital to the Cambridgeshire area, where gault clay tiles (peg and pan) are a characteristic local feature. All the old tiled roofs in Ely, for example, are of buff gault tiles; recently it proved impossible despite much searching to find any additional tiles of this type for a Town Scheme repair. Finding matching peg or pan tiles to repair historic roofs is one part of the problem; the other desperate need is for good clay tiles, matching local colour variations, to be readily available
for use in alterations, extensions and new buildings on sensitive sites. There is scope to improve the situation by: (1) Building up a register of all tileries making traditional clay tiles, the range of colours produced, etc; (2) Encouraging the manufacture of appropriate new clay tiles. It seems that this is a considerable unsatisfied market, and conservation officers are likely to have a good idea of the demand in their areas; if a national assessment could be made on this basis, manufacturers might be more willing to make these tiles. There was a local attempt 10 years ago, when East Cambridgeshire District Council, in conjunction with the DoE, arranged for the manufacture of new buff clay tiles; but this failed because the tiles produced deteriorated very quickly. Availability of clay tiles will only be influenced by presenting the problem and the demand on a national seale; and the implication is that both tasks would most appropriately be carried out by English Heritage in its 'heritage sponsorship' role, with ACO acting as a catalyst. Please let me know if you have problems with the availability of clay tiles in your area, and, if you are lucky enough to have a local traditional tilery, send information about what type and colour of tiles they make. We will only get action if ACO can present clear evidence of the need! Pleae write to: John Preston (ACO East Anglia rep.) Dept of Planning & Research, Cambridgeshire County Council, Shire Hall CAMBRIDGECB3 OAP (Please mark letters 'Personal'). RE-POINTING & LISTED BUILDING CONSENT I would be very grateful if anyone can offer information on cases comparable to this one I have to deal with at the moment - particularly if Enforcement Action has been successfully pursued. The owner of a listed Grade II housewhich originated as a timber framed cottage in the Cl6 but which had its front wall re-built in brick, and its roof raised, in the Cl8,-has carried out a scheme of re-pointing in a very yellow cement mortar which pays scant regard to the actual location of the joints, being buttered generously across them; where thought appropriate, a few lines have been vaguely scored with a trowel to indicate where the joint might have been! Clearly this is not only extremely ugly (the whole character of the front elevation has been completely altered), but the type of mortar used and its profile will soon begin to have a detrimental effect on on the brickwork itself. I am hoping to be able to take Enforcement Action, but would be interested to know whether this has been done before for re-pointing; I am also considering whether the removal of the existing pointing would not cause unacceptable damage in any case to the brickwork. Jenny Birkett Salisbury District BARNREMOVALREQUIRES PROFESSIONAL ADVICE Using an architect or surveyor has been made a condition of planning permission in a unique case, reports Building Design. The decision, made by the Secretary of State on appeal, concerned a proposal to demolish a timber-frames barn and re-erect it elsewhere in the same village as a house. A condition was imposed requiring the works to be executed under the supervision of a "suitably qualified architect or surveyor". Page 10
REGIONAL NEWS North West Region In Sefton District, Merseyside, the local authority has secured a successful prosecution under Section 55 (subsection 1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 against a building company in Formby for work which resulted in the unauthorized demolition of a pair of late Cl8 Grade II listed estate cottages. The cottages, 61 and 63 Ravenmeols Lane Formby, had been the subject of Notices, but before the Notices could be served, the developer obtained pJ.anning permission and listed building consent for the extension and repair of the cottages and began work without taking adequate precautions to protect and shore up the structures, which subsequently collapsed during the course of the works. The company was fined a total of £631 including costs, which did not include the time spent by local authority officers in presenting a case which occupied an entire working day in the magistrates court. In spite of the small fines, which left the contractor with a valuable building plot, the attendant publicity has been of real benefit in reminding other developers of their statutory obligations! The run down of the Metropolitan Counties of Merseyside is likely to curtail sharply local resources for funding works under the Local Authorities (Historic Buildings) Act 1962. At the present time, in Merseyside, apart from Town Schemes in Lord Street,· Southport Hamilton Square, Birkenhead and Prescot in Knowsley, all conservation grants are administered by Merseyside County Council and in the current financial year th2se grants have been restricted to ' Areas of Social Deprivation', which excludes towns such as Southport. In Liverpool City, where the conservation staff is at present reduced to one person, following the resignation of John HamsoL, major conservation works are bei~~ funded through the Housing Corporation and grants from the HBMCin the Canning Street Conservation Area, with 100% grants for the re-instatement of cast iron balconies and railings. In Greater Manchester, out of ten districts only Tameside and Stockport make grants available under the 1962 Act. The entire funding for the major conservation programme being implemented in Manchester City, including Castlefields CA, Victoria Park, Whitworth St and Central Station is from the Greater Manchester County Council. This funding, of course, will not be available after April 1986! The tragedy is that as a result of political differences between districts there is no co-ordinated approach to the whole spectrum of resources neccessary if current levels of conservation works are to be maintained or increased after April 1986. This includes rescue archaeology and archives as well as funding for actual contractural works of repair and enhancement. Mike King Sefton DC Yorkshire & Humberside Region 'THE CHALLENGEOF CONSERVATION' The opportunity to debate conservation is~ues is always welcome to regional members. Whilst it is intended to organise a seminar in 1986 that should attract all Association members, the Region first intends to support a oneday symposium organised by the WAKEFIELD HERITAGE 1984 with assistance given by the City of Wakefield MDC. WAKEFIELDHERITAGE 1984 was founded in 1984 by members of Wakefield's historical and civic societies to foster the interests of the architectural and Page 11
historic heritage of the Wakefield district. The symposium 'The Challenge of Conservation' will explore some of the more controversial aspects of building conservation and provide the interested public with an opportunity to learn more about the particular challenges involved in dealing with very difficult buildings. The event will take place at the Urban Studies Centre, Wakefield on Saturday 19th October 1985, and will be chaired by Dr Derek Linstrum, Radcliffe Reader in Architectural History and Conservation at York University, with guest speakers including Mrs D.E. Potter,of the HBMC, Mr John Goodchild, the City of Wakefield Principal Local Studies Officer & Archivist, and Mrs June Hargreaves, Deputy City Planning Officer of York City Council. Other speakers will present case studies. Application forms and further details can be obtained by telephoning Bob Scriven at Wakefield on 0924 370211 ext 417. Northern Region Following the meeting in June, when the Association visited the Castle Eden Conservation Area,- owing to a lamentable lapse by your Secretary we have not had a meeting. You will be pleased to hear, therefore, that arrangements have been made to visit a selection of conservation works in Cleveland County, on 31st October conducted by Peter Roghs and members of the County Conservation team. Meet at 3.00pm at Yarm Town Hall; and there will be an Association meeting afterwards in the Green Dragon in Stockton. TYNEANDWEARBUILDING PRESERVATION TRUST LTD: 'BUTTRESS'- THE WAY AHEAD A day conference on Saturday October Page 12 19th at Jarrow Hall, organisea oy i:ue Tyne and Wear Building preservation Trust Ltd. ('BUTTRESS') The intention is to show how BUTTRESS operates at the present time, how the buildings are to be preserved and identified, and how the actual process of restoration is undertaken. One of the main concerns is the financing of these operations, and this is particularly pertinent with the approaching demise of Tyne and Wear County Council. The afternoon's activities will look specifically at this question, and examine both the national conservation scene with Mr. John Fidler of English Heritage and then BUTTRESS' future with Mr Richard Harbottle, the Trust Chairman. Eastern Region REPAIR ANDRESTORATIONIN IPSWICH An afternoon walk around the historic centre on Thursday 31st October. Visits to include - a dockside warehouse; paving schemes; St Stephen's Church; the Ancient House ( a Grade I timber-framed house); and Pykenham's Gateway. Meet in the 'Maltkiln' pub (near the Customs ·House) at 12.30 for 1.15 start. For more information and to confirm attendance, please contact: Michael Munt Globe House, New St., Chelmsford (Essex CC) Tel: 352232 ext 295. ONE LESS LISTED BUILDING North Hertfordshire District Council is hoping to take legal action against the owner of a Cl7 Grade II timber framed house who demolished it overnight without listed building consent. An application for retrospective consent is awaited; if the Planning Committee refuse consent, prosecution proceedings will be commenced. Unsurprisingly, the owner's defence is that the building was dangerous.
CONFERENCES NEWCASTLE'SHERITAGECONFERENCE'86 Roy Angell, Newcastle's City Planning Officer, with Brian Jobling, has invited the ACO to join in the city's Heritage Conference arranged for Thursday 10 July and Friday 11 July, with a "Buildings at Risk" workshop on the Saturday 12 July 1986. Delegates could attend for whole or part of the conference. As an added attraction the Tall Ships Race follows the conference and there are other events as part of the three week festival commencing on July 7, of_ which the conference forms part. This is a major event, and an important one for Newcastle. We hope as many Conservation Officers as possible will put the date in their diaries - it will be a good opportunity for us to get together on new ground. FIRE PROTECTIONIN HISTORIC BUILDINGS An international conference organised by UK-ICOMOSand the Institiute of Advanced Architectural Studies, York from 11th -14th November 1985 Fire is no respecter of historic buildings, as the recent conflagration at York Minster demonstrated. As a corollary to this, the results of legislation and regulations may equally show no respect for the quality of historic buildings. This international conference will review the current rquirements of the law and their application in the UK and Europe in general., drawing attention to the special problems of historic churches, houses, public buildings and their contents. Can more be done? Can it be better done? What lessons may be learnt from recent experience? The speakers will represent architects and administrators, fire officers and engineers, and there will be an opportunity for participants from the UK and abroad to present short contributions. The working language will be English. The fee, including the lunchtime reception on 11th November, but excluding accommodation and all other meals, is tlUU. Full details of speakers and programme, and application form, from: Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies, University of York, King's Manor, York YOl 2EP; tel: 0904 24919. COB IN CRISIS: THE CONSERVATIONOF COBBUILDINGS A weekend residential course/conference at Burwalls House, Leigh Woods, Bristol, from Friday 1st November to Sunday 3rd November 1985; organized by University of Bristol Dept. of Extra-Mural Studies. Across most of Britain there are many buildings built of mud plus various additives - straw, lime, dung etc. These building techniques are often referred to collectively as cob, but are closely related to pise, mudblock, wattle and daub, wychert, lump etc. The techniques died out in the twentieth century for new building, even though cob building is structurally sound, long lasting, and has interesting ecological and aesthetic ~ualities. Ignorance of cob is now widespread; often cob building is not recognized as such below layers of render. This weekend conference aims to present a practical guide to recognising cob buildings and to understanding its techniques and its regional variations. It is intended for architects, planners, surveyors and owners of cob buildings. It will also discuss the problems and possibilities of the conservation of cob~ The course will be held in Burwalls House, a mansion in its own grounds, offering a high standard of food an~ accommodation overlooking the Avon Gorge, two miles from Bristol city centre. Substantially reduced rail fares are available to those attending the Conference. Full details will be supplied on receipt of enrolment. The fee is £49.50 per person; application forms Page 13
can be obtained from Bernard Lane, Dept. of Extra-Mural Studies, University of· Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 lHR (tel. 0272 24161 ext K 221 between 2pm and 5pm) _,e~t!'. • <:' I!";. LOSINGA LISTED BUILDING BY SAVINGIT .:., ~ ,.._ ~ , . ?1)-\ ., "@ '\ ') .< 1. - ..,, <- t!O, ~--1 ..... ~ One day conference on Saturday 23rd November 1985 at the School of Pythagoras, St John's College, Cambridge; organised by the East of England Branch of ACO. Concern for "enabling development" has prompted the organisation of a conference to examine this issue. The conference will consider various ways in which successful preservation can be achieved without risking 'loss'. This will include a detailed look at the design, as well as financial, implications of'enabling development' -the need to make a restoration project viable. Cambridge City Conservation Officer Nick Hellawell will introduce the conference, with speakers including Ken Powell from SAVE, and John Fidler, Conservation Officer for Buildings at Risk with the HBMC. The private sector will be represented by Brian White of the Finlanson Group; Nigel Rix, Urban Renewal Consultant; and John Chatwin of the Terry Farrell Partnership. The Chairman will be Russ Craig from Hertfordshire County Council. Application form and further details may be obtained from James Clifton on 01 863 5611 ext 2468 (office) or 09274 25870 (home). PUBLICATIONS RESIDENTIALBARNCONVERSIONS SUPPLEMENTARYPLANNINGGUIDANCE Essex County Council Planning Department A4, ten pages plus illustrations. Essex County Council's latest publication irt its series of conservation booklets is concerned with the residential conversion of barns. It was Essex that in 1979 first published "Historic Barns: A Planning Appraisal" which did much to encourage new uses for redundant barns. However, "The recent spate of residential conversions of historic barns has only been a partial success. Although residential conversions have resulted in many timber framed barns beeing guaranteed an extended life, in most cases the conversion schemes have been poorly designed, and, despite considerable efforts by planning authorities, have resulted in schemes which have seriously damaged the nature of the buildings: the barn character has been seriously modified, and the results have been hybrid buildings of very limited visual appeal, frequently quite unrecognisable as barns." The document Essex has now produced "is intended to provide supplementary design guidance for these exceptional cases (where residential use is regarded as the only practical option) and is not intended to provide a general argument for residential conversion which will NOT normally be permitted." The booklet goes on to discuss the character of oarns, defects, structural rep airs, and how to approach the problem of the design of a residential use whilst minimising change to the external and internal character of the building. We look forward to the first of the appeal decisions, and in the meantime congratulate Essex on another first. We share their concern for some of the horrors visited upon us and hope they help to create a new climate of opinion which will help to preserve more barns visually in one piece, even if not still .in agricultural use. Page 14
ACO BUSINESSNEWS BRIEF REPORTOF ACO COMMITTEE MEETINGON 19TH OCTOBER1985 The meeting was attended by Chris Brett (South), Mike King (North West), Bob Scriven (Yorks and Humberside), John Preston (East Anglia), John Fidler (Publicity), Chris Smith (South West), Brian Jobling (North), Rosemarie MacQueen (London), Geoff Pink (South East), Mike Pearce (Chairman) and Jenny Birkett (CONTEXT). Matters arising from the last meeting Mike Pearce reported on the meeting he had had with Peter Rumble and Diana Phillips of HBMC- with John Davey and Ken Smith of the Association of County Archaeological Officers in August, as a follow up to matters raised at Norwich. Peter Rumble was sympathetic to giving publicity to Article 4 Directions, to being prepared to advise the Commission to prosecute in enforcement cases where there was a very good chance of success, and to the the possibility of opening up internal courses and conferences in the HBMCwhere their knowledge and experience might also be of interest and benefit to conservation officers - providing of course the accommodation would stand it. A point at issue was still the question of the allocation of HBMCgrants. Ways had to be found of helping the Grade II buildings threatened with demolition which might not be in conservation areas. Of course, even small CA's could be designated, and more money was going into SlO and Town Scheme grants, but still a large proportion of grant money was in S3A grants for outstanding buildings. There is reported to be a series of reports under way under the aegis of Simon Jenkins, of the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee, on where the money is being spent. The Committee was of the opinion that we should write to the Commissioners to make our point that too large a proportion of money available was going on too few buildings. Working party on legislation John Fidler reported that SAVEhad agreed to try to find some funding for admin. and secretarial work. He said he would like to resign as Publicity Officer in order to be able to devote more time to the working party. The AGMand Conference 1986 The consensus was that Liverpool would be the most appropriate location, although several offers had been received from other possible hosts! It was agreed that, while we would like as many members as possible to attend the other courses/conferences taking place next year, it was important to see for ourselves some of the problems of the Metropolitan County areas. However, the organisers of the Newcastle conference in July were very anxious to have us there and it was agreed that it would be very useful for us to have a day of our own added on to the end of that conference. Mike King had details of the arrangements possible if we hold our own conference at Liverpool. The University would arrange accommodation at reasonable cost and provide lecture and social/feeding arrangements on the university precinct, and the conference would be sponsored by the University School of Architecture which would enable us to be exempt from VAT. The topics and title were discussed. It was agreed that 'Conservation as Development' would be a good working title, to counter the tendency in some quarters to polarize 'conservation' and 'development', with the planner seen as the mediator between the two. It was suggested that one session should be devoted to a panel of amenity society representatives, to emphasise the ways in which we can be of mutual assistance; there would need to be at least two long sessions devoted to walkabout, to familiarise members from other areas with the topography, architecture andthe scale of the conservation problems involved. Provisional date has been set for 1Oth-13th April. Page 15
Other business Other topics discussed included: problems of lack of liaison between HBMCInspectors and local authority staff; a parliamentary inquiry (Joint Environment Committee) into historic building conservation, for whcih we SQould be thinking of presenting evidence; and the problem of theft of architectural features from empty listed buildings, particularly following advertisement of a listed building application. If you wish to follow up the matters briefly outlined in this report, the regional contacts will have a copy of the minutes of the meeting in full. NEWSOF MEMBERS Jenny Birkett Editor The Membership Secretary has received notification from Richard Neale (Member) that he has recently left his job as Conservation Officer with Westminster City Council and set up his own joinery company producing gazebos, conservatories and garden buildings. For those of you who maintain an index of craftsmen, the contact address is: 65 Brook St, Benson, Oxfordshire. Since the last issue of CONTEXT, the following additions have been made to the membership list; CLIVE ALEXANDER PETER BEAMISS IAN BURROW THE CIVIC TRUST KEVIN COLE RAY CONNELL CHARLESDONOVAN DEREKFISHER KATHRYNGOODWIN JIM HILL Tamworth Borough Peak Park Joint Planning Board Assoc. of County Archaeological Officers (Chairman) Norwich City Council Reavell & Cahill (architect in private practice) Leominster District West Midlands County Bradford Met. District Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food CHARLESJACKSON- Essex County County ROULSTON GEOFFREYNOBLE NORTHWESTCIVIC IAIN PATTERSON ANNROSTRON SCOTTISHOFFICE BARRYSELLERS JOHN SEWELL PAUL SKEET JULIA SMITH KEN SMITH RAYMONDSUTTON RICHARDTAYLOR Historic Buildings & Monuments Commission TRUST Bristol City Council Norwich City Council (LIBRARY) London Borough of Lewisham Peak Park Joint Planning Board Essex County Council Test Valley Borough Assoc. of County Archaeological Officers (Hon. Secretary) London Borough of Havering Peak Park Joint Planning Board GORDONMICHELLOBE Slightly belated congratulations to Gordon Michell, honorary member of ACO, on his QBE in the last Honours List. PSEUD'S CORNER (With apologies to Lord Gnome) He found out about the scholarship from former scholar Tim Buxbaum and applied because he liked the idea of travelling to repair programmes in different parts of Britain and wanted to broaden hi, knowledge. Previously more interested in neo-classical buildings, he is now starting to "get a thrill' out of mediaeval buildmgs. His prarncal experience be- (ore the scholar,hir ha, mcludc:-d helping on a mass housmg ,cheme outside Edinburgh and working for artist, poet and landscape designer Ian Hamilton Finlay. where he built a heather thatched goose hut and a ,tone grotto. Page 16
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