22 C O N T E X T 1 3 3 : M A R C H 2 0 1 4 VALUING HERITAGE JENNY TIMOTHY How Leicester uses value to protect its heritage An understanding of the values of a diverse population is guiding the council’s work programme and priorities on the city’s long and surprisingly rich heritage. The question any conservation specialist gets asked most is why? ‘Why do I have to keep that, why can’t I knock that bit down, why is that view important?’This works at every level of the process of protecting our historic built environment from master planning to minor building alterations. It was a question that was asked a great deal in Leicester at a very fundamental level: why should we protect Leicester’s heritage, what there is of it? In fact Leicester is a city of hidden gems. It has a surprisingly long history of continuous occupation and development: from Roman occupation, through medieval town and castle, Civil War siege, to the industrial development and wealthy suburbs of 19th century and gems of 20th century architecture, focused around the universities.There is a remarkable amount of survival of structures and buildings above ground, including one of the largest Roman civil structures with the Jewry Wall, medieval timber framing at the Guildhall and Castle Hall, and arguably one of the finest collections of Victorian brick buildings in the country. So why should we protect the historic environment? This is something many of us take for granted and articulating why at such a fundamental level can be difficult. In somewhere like Leicester, which up until very recently, with discovery of Richard III, was not the first place that sprung to mind when thinking of historic cities, it has been particularly tough. Far right:The JewryWall with St Nicholas Church as a backdrop The view along St Martins East with the cathedral on the right This is why the conservation team at Leicester City Council realised that a strategic approach to how the city’s heritage is protected and promoted was needed. A clear plan based on sound principles gives confidence to make positive decisions that affect the historic built environment, within the planning process and beyond. This is especially important in a city with such a diverse population, where cultural references normally taken for granted are not always universal. This strategic approach has been framed through recognising the value in the historic environment. Only by understanding why the historic environment is valued and by whom can we begin to articulate why we do what we do and plan for it. It must be pointed that this work was begun before the discovery of Richard III, and that wishing to improve and recognise the value of heritage in Leicester was well advanced before anyone suggested digging up any car parks. The first step in setting out the value of the built heritage in Leicester and why it is valued was to set up the heritage partnership.The partnership was established as part of Sir Peter Soulsby’s 100-day programme after his election as city mayor in May 2011 with the aim of engaging the expertise and enthusiasm of various organisations who have an interest and stake in the built heritage of Leicester. It includes representatives of lobby groups, local historical societies, funders, amenity
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