20 C O N T E X T 1 2 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 S said that it should not be assumed that the list description would be the complete assessment of significance, and that just because something was not mentioned in the list, it did not automatically follow that it was not of significance. Questions from the floor showed deep disquiet at the attempt to define significance at this stage. One delegate described it as ‘the most dangerous practice in conservation for some time’. Others took the view that the ‘danger’ was justified or necessary to inform lay people and planning officers of the significance of an asset, as one could not assume that trained conservation staff would be involved in the decision-making on every historic building proposal. David Clegg Significance and the SPAB perspective In a very well received talk, Matthew Slocombe, the new director of SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings), discussed the difference in perspective between the significance-based approach and the SPAB’s fabric-based perspective. He was aware he could be seen as playing a devil’s advocate role at the annual school, as a SPAB-minded approach could be regarded as being at odds with the ‘significance’ approach; although he stressed there was no ‘antisignificance’ policy within SPAB as yet. Slocombe suggested that the question was whether conservation should shift from being material-and fabric-based to values-based. He argued that assessments of value and significance based on the primacy of fabric were the best method and basis for decisions. Fabric offered primary evidence, whereas cultural or other significance offered secondary evidence. He highlighted the difference between primary legislation and current policy. The 1990 Act referred to character, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was about significance. Significance was intended to be a holistic assessment, but there was the risk of tension between disciplines. One problem was that it could be a pseudoscientific approach which threatened historic fabric. Enhancement of significance could be used to justify restoration. Instead the approach should be ‘look after the fabric and the significance will look after itself’. Slocombe argued that looking at significance without The fact that this shelter at Margate was once the haunt of TS Eliot contributed to its significance and influenced the recent decision to list it. Richard Morrice, Emily Gee and (right) Matthew Slocombe listen to a question from the floor.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=