CONFERENCE REPORTS HISTORIC BUILDINGS: ACCESSIBILITY AND/ OR CONSERVATION? I spoke on ACO's behalf at a very wellattended conference on 31 October, organised by the Centre for Accessible Environments, which will be publishing the full proceedings. I had agreed to speak largely because we are having to confront access issues regularly in relation to Cambridge colleges; preparing my talk made me look at old buildings in an entirely new way. The problem, as always, was finding examples of good solutions; special thanks to Bob Scriven for providing photos of good ramps for the disabled added to the Grade I Wakefield Town Hall, and incorporated in the new Sheffield Police Station. There was a strong lobby at the conference for the same standards to be applied to old buildings as to new, but Selwyn Goldsmith of the DoE (who has impaired mobility) argued that the disabled should not expect standards to be imposed to an unreasonable extent. The final message was that the character of a historic building should come first, but any opportunities should be taken to improve the situation for disabled people, if this can be achieved without detriment to its character. These can involve not only physical improvements but also improved management. If possible, permanent solutions should be installed at the first opportunity, and designed to a standard of detailing and materials to match the original building. CIRIA is preparing a publication on disabled access solutions: the problem is finding out about best practice, and then disseminating the information as widely as possible. If you know of a successful scheme, please let us all know through Context! ACO has been consulted on the Review of Part M of the Building Regulations (Access and facilities for disabled people). The proposals relate primarily to new buildings but apply access requirements also to non -domestic buildings "which have been demolished substantially to leave only an external wall or walls" (facadists beware!) and to helping those with impaired hearing and sight. John Preston CONSERVATION OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT - A GREEN ISSUE? This joint RTPI East of England Branch and ACO conference, held on 20 February, was organised at too short notice for inclusion in the last Context. The speakers included Ann Rostron and myself, flying the ACO flag. This Norwich event was very welcome not only for its subject, and as the first joint RTPI/ ACO event in East Anglia, but also as an event in the north of the region to complement Essex's activities at Cressing, and Cambridge in November. Essex is organising another Cressing event in June (date and topic to be confirmed). The 1989 conference notes The Use and Abuse of Substitute Materials are now available price ..f2.50p incl p&p (cheque payable to ACO East of England Branch); send to Ray Osborne, 5 Rose Glen, Chelmsford. Apologies for the publication delay. John Preston Pressure on space in this issue means that some conference reports have had ro be held over. ffl THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS SOUTH WESTERN REGION and PLYMOUSTCHHOOOLFARCHITECTURE, POLYTECHSNOICUTHWEST invite you to a 2 day conference: "INTERVENTION: THE CONSERVATION DILEMMA" 2ND AND 3RD MAY, 1991 DARTINGTON GREAT HALL, TOTNES, DEVON An unusual and controversial exploration into the differing philosophies held by national conservation societies, developers, and architects concerning the changing face of our historic buildings and towns. Speakers to include: Colin Amery and David Pearce (Chairmen), Ian McCaig (English Heritage), Roger White (The Georgian Group), Martin Pawley (Architecture writer and TV broadcaster), Stephen Green (Chartwell Heritage), David Senior (Heritage Projects Ltd). Roy Worskett, Dinah Casson, Donald Hankey, John Schofield, Ian Ritchie, (all architects, some Modernists, others specialists in Conservation work.) TICKETS: Price includes coffee, luncheon and tea. INTERVENTION Two days £125 or book before 31st March £100. One day £70 or book before 31st March £55. FURTHER INFORMATION FROM: Karen Ford, RIBA South Western Region, Hoe Centce, Notte s,~,. Plymo,th PL1 2AR. TEL 0752 265921 I The Conservation Dilemma Tarmac Masonry Products CONTEXT 29 RElBASTONE Architectural Masonry 'filubor ~oof 'mile crro.1fiimiteb • )1 i•f 6ffi, Monk Conmuction Lid. 37
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