IHBC joins Civic Voice in celebrating 50 years of Conservation Areas
This article was created by The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). It was originally appeared in the IHBC NewsBlogs
See also: The history of conservation areas.
The IHBC has welcomed Civic Voice’s initiative to engage the widest public interest in the 2017 celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Civic Amenities Act and its inauguration of Conservation Areas, with the IHBC already proposing a celebratory issue of its membership journal Context in addition to supporting other partnering initiatives.
IHBC Vice Chair Kathy Davies said: ‘We’re delighted so see the Civic Voice take the lead in these celebrations, and we look forward to supporting their initiatives across a range of activities.’
‘The work of Civic Voice is fully in line with IHBC’s encouragement of communities to engage in managing their own historic environment as a result of better understanding and enjoyment of their surroundings.’
Civic Voice writes:
The concept of conservation areas was introduced in England, Wales and Scotland by the Civic Amenities Act 1967 through a private members bill led by Lord Duncan Sandys. Civic Voice now holds the annual Sandys Lecture in his name.
When conservation areas legislation was introduced there was widespread public concern over the pace of redevelopment in our historic towns and cities. Today there are over 10,000 conservation areas in the UK (approximately 9,300 in England, 500 in Wales, 650 in Scotland and 60 in Northern Ireland) reflecting the popularity of this legislative tool in identifying and protecting our most valued historic places.
Conservation area designation essentially controls the demolition of unlisted buildings over a certain size and works to protect trees, restricts permitted development rights on dwelling houses and tightens regulations on advertising. It also places a statutory duty on local planning authorities to pay special attention to preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of conservation areas while undertaking their planning duties.
In 2017 and with the support of Laura Sandys, the civic movement will be raising awareness of conservation areas and we want you to show your support. Sign up today to join our newsletter which will keep people updated on our activities. Sign up here.
Designating a conservation area should not be seen as an end in itself: we live in a changing world and for the historic environment to survive and continue to be cherished it needs to be positively managed. We want communities across the country to come together and say ‘My Conservation Area Matters’. Next year, Civic Day will be held on 17th June 2017 and we will be asking groups across the country to help use Civic Day as a focus to celebrate 50 years of conservation areas. We want the nation to come together to say ‘my conservation area matters’ and participate in local and national events to recognise how conservation areas have helped keep many of our towns distinctive.
See below some of the ways your civic society could celebrate 50 years of conservation areas for Civic Day.
- Publish a leaflet on the history of the area
- Organise a guided walk
- Organise a street party
- Erect a ‘conservation area plaque/sign’
- Undertake local membership drive
- 'Clean your Conservation Area': litter pick
- Placecheck : ask what do we like and what don’t we like
- Debate – the Big Conservation Conversation: future of conservation areas
- Competitions – why ‘My Conservation Area Matters’
- Campaign for greater resources
- Create new groups to protect conservation areas
We look forward to seeing everyone's Civic Day plans for next year. Sign up for more information here.
See: http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/news/the-big-conservation-conversation/
Find out more
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Civic Amenities Act.
- Conservation areas.
- Conservation officer.
- Conservation practice survey 2016.
- The history of conservation areas.
- Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
- Listed buildings.
- Local Authority.
- Planning authority.
- Planning Policy.
- Tree preservation order TPO
External references
- IHBC NewsBlogs - see: http://ihbconline.co.uk/newsachive/?p=13311
- Civic Voice news - see: http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/news/the-big-conservation-conversation/
IHBC NewsBlog
Heritage Building Retrofit Toolkit developed by City of London and Purcell
The toolkit is designed to provide clear and actionable guidance for owners, occupiers and caretakers of historic and listed buildings.
70 countries sign Declaration de Chaillot at Buildings & Climate Global Forum
The declaration is a foundational document enabling progress towards a ‘rapid, fair, and effective transition of the buildings sector’
Bookings open for IHBC Annual School 12-15 June 2024
Theme: Place and Building Care - Finance, Policy and People in Conservation Practice
Rare Sliding Canal Bridge in the UK gets a Major Update
A moveable rail bridge over the Stainforth and Keadby Canal in the Midlands in England has been completely overhauled.
'Restoration and Renewal: Developing the strategic case' Published
The House of Commons Library has published the research briefing, outlining the different options for the Palace of Westminster.
Brum’s Broad Street skyscraper plans approved with unusual rule for residents
A report by a council officer says that the development would provide for a mix of accommodation in a ‘high quality, secure environment...
English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023
Initial findings from the English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023 have been published.
Audit Wales research report: Sustainable development?
A new report from Audit Wales examines how Welsh Councils are supporting repurposing and regeneration of vacant properties and brownfield sites.
New Guidance Launched on ‘Understanding Special Historic Interest in Listing’
Historic England (HE) has published this guidance to help people better understand special historic interest, one of the two main criteria used to decide whether a building can be listed or not.
"Conservation Professional Practice Principles" to be updated by IHBC, HTVF, CV
IHBC, HTVF, and CV look to renew this cross-sector statement on practice principles for specialists working in built and historic environment conservation roles.