Context 154 - May 2018

16 C O N T E X T 1 5 4 : M A Y 2 0 1 8 worked building-stone quarries. Each county also has an ‘atlas’ or gazetteer which summarises and richly illustrates the use of the building stones (organised by geological chronology) within an historic context. Enquiry reports, the data sets and atlases (in printable pdf format) can all be saved and freely downloaded. The information from the SSS should help mineral planning authorities identify quarries of importance to the built heritage, whether disused or active, which they consider should be safeguarded from needless sterilisation by non-mineral development. Counties (such as West Sussex, Somerset and Derbyshire) are already using information from the SSS to guide their local minerals plans. Local authorities are encouraged to recognise existing and potential quarry sites, and to include suitable policies within their development plans so that the needs of building conservation can be considered equally alongside other competing uses or designations. This information could also provide valuable support for a planning application or appeal. The EBSPits database will offer long-term assistance not only to mineral planning authorities aiming to safeguard important sources, but also to new and historic building professionals seeking information for specific building projects. Indeed, it is of use to anyone wishing to find out about building stones, their sources and use. The National Heritage List for England (NHLE) is now online,making its 400,000 entries easily accessible.As part of Enriching the List, information from the SSS about the types of building stone used in designated buildings and structures has been returned to be integrated in the NHLE entry, not only enhancing the individual entry, but defining the original stone for matching purposes for any additional or replacement stone. The SSS is not intended to override or replace considered professional advice from experts in the stone conservation field, when undertaking a particular conservation or new-build project. No building stone should be selected for use in a conservation or new-build project based on data provided by EBSPits database alone. The EBSPits is the only freely available, single source of information which comprehensively lists the stones used for historic buildings in England. The sheer scale of the task means that it has taken over a decade to complete, but the SSS is on track to be finished in 2020. Although the EBSPits database GIS functions reasonably well, technology has progressed since the project began in 2007, so the system needs to be updated. Options are being assessed and an improved up-to-date system will be implemented once the SSS is completed and as funding is available. We welcome any comments on the SSS, and the EBSPits database and GIS. In particular, we would be interested to hear from local authorities which may have information about stone buildings which would enhance the buildings database, which would make it easier for mineral planning authorities to determine the importance of a particular stone. If you would like to get in touch or would like to be kept informed of SSS progress, please contact ClaraWillett ( clara.willett@historicengland.org) . From top to bottom: Selecting the most appropriate stone for replacement requires geological identification of the original, but understanding the local underlying geology and historic sources will help source a replacement. (Photo: ClaraWillett, © Historic England) A section of wall at St Ippolyts Church, St Ippolyts, Hertfordshire, comprises tufa, quaternary flint and Hitchin carstone, with occasional glacial pebbles and cobbles, and blocks of false puddingstone. The Strategic Stone Study data and atlas for Hertfordshire will be available in late 2018. (Photo: Geckoella, © Historic England) St Nicholas Hinxworth, Hertfordshire is built from Cambridge greensand pebbles and cobbles, and Totternhoe stone. (Photo: Geckoella, © Historic England) A section of wall from St Peter’s Church, Iver, Buckinghamshire, includes false puddingstone and flint, and glacial pebbles. The Strategic Stone Study data and atlas for Buckinghamshire will be available in late 2018. (Photo: Geckoella, © Historic England) ClaraWillett is a senior architectural conservator in the building conservation and research team at Historic England.With a background in stone conservation, she manages the Strategic Stone Study. ChrisWood is head of the building conservation and research team at Historic England. He has been involved in re-opening old quarries and with the Strategic Stone Study since its inception.