'Urban Conservation Practice': short course at Oxford UNIVERSITY COLLEGEOXFORD 1984 Following the success of the 1983 conference, the ACO again joined with Roger France, the tutor in Conservation for the Oxford Polytechnic, in organising a short course and our AGM at Oxford from 29 March to 1 April. The theme this year, under the title Urban Conservation Practice, was rather more on the practical problems and how to deal with theml Over 60 people from all over the country enjoyed living in civilised surroundings for a few days. Roger France introduced the course, and Tony Pass from Greater Manchester reviewed very appropriately the findings of the Montagu report on Britains' Historic Buildings of 1980. He concluded that, although there was growing support from both public and private sectors, there was little of the co-ordination which had been called for. In addition, public spending cuts and proposals affecting Local Authority organisation in the cities have adversely affected new conservation schemes, grants, staffing, maintenance policies and the education of specialists. This was a good curtain-raiser for the welcome appearance of Lord Montagu on the eve of the launch of the English Heritage - or as some staff have been heard to say "the Departm-er-New-Commission''• Lord Montagu outlined the role of the Commission and stressed the importance of the grant schemes for buildings and conservation areas, and said that there would be an increase in funds for Town Schemes - of which there were some 160, of which over 100 were delegated in their administration to local authorities. "Demolition was never going to be an easy option". There was a need for sensitive development and listed building control. 'Phe Commission was launching a national membership scheme with free access to monuments at £.8 a year. In answering many questions, Lord Montagu shared our concern for the future of the Historic Buildings Division of the GLC and our colleagues in the Metropolitan areas and our concern for the extension of -3VAT as proposed in the Budget. Both issues have now made some progress - the HBD to the Commission and some relief for "structural alterations" to listed buildings. One would have preferred "structural repairs"! Robert Walker of Cambridgeshire followed by showing that there is a changing attitude to conservation. As the Montagu Report had shown there were many opportunities for action -for simple remedies at local level. However, the effects of the Resurvey of listed buildings, and the role of the new Commission and the ACOneeded to be clarified and developed. Alan Parnell was, unfortunately, unartle to speak on the Fire Regulations, but this had the beneficial effect of allowing more time for Robert Chitham to give us a down-to-earth commercial view of development and preservation. There is often a massive gulf between the aims of the planning authority and the developer. Local authorities often do not understand the financial regime within which the developer works, and he often has the most superficial understanding of the planning process and the relevant legislation. "Is there a Preservation Order on this building?". 11The front of this house is listed". "I'm a lover of old buildings, but •• " 'l1he builder regarded the laws of preservation as an angry ju-ju, causing it to rain from time to time. The developer, or his pension fund, wanted modern concrete buildings; floors 13m wide, 3.4m from floor to floor, air-conditioned, modern services, and car parking. An old building needed stability and continuity of use. It was best conserved by spending small amounts of money regularly, rather than large sums infrequently. There should be clear conservation objectives -avoid generalities! Conservation has changed the course of architectural design. We need education not legislation! He concluded by saying that a revision of the status and treatment of statutorily listed buildings was now due.
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