Conservation officer
Local planning authorities generally employ, or retain the services of, a conservation officer. Sometimes this role may be combined with that of archaeological officer, although they are very different, albeit related, functions. The role can also be referred to as Historic buildings inspector.
The conservation officer’s role is to ensure the heritage assets of the local authority are preserved, managed, enhanced and promoted.
The involvement of local authority conservation officers in development proposals might include:
- Offering pre-application advice on the location, form and character of developments that may affect listed buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments or other heritage assets.
- Assessing planning applications for new developments that may affect heritage assets and proposing planning conditions that might be imposed on permissions.
- Agreeing inspection cycles.
- Visiting sites and carrying out inspections and surveys.
- Assisting enforcement action.
Managed intelligently the conservation of heritage assets need not disrupt developments. However, this often requires engagement with the local planning authority’s conservation officer as soon as possible if it is suspected that proposals may affect heritage assets. This will help identify the procedures that must be followed and avoid abortive work.
Other activities undertaken by a local authority conservation officer might include:
- Maintaining information about heritage assets.
- Surveying assets that are at risk.
- Estimating restoration and conservation costs.
- Advising owners of buildings at risk or redundant buildings.
- Advising on policy measures and controls both locally and nationally.
- Advising on regeneration projects affecting heritage assets.
- Sourcing grants and other funding for conservation work.
- Championing heritage issues in the local authority and the wider community.
- Liaison with Historic England.
- Implementing schemes to conserve heritage assets.
- Advising on the designation of heritage assets.
- Canvassing public opinion and dealing with public enquiries.
- Planning and supervising long-term environmental projects.
- Assisting with enforcement action to protect threatened buildings or conservation areas.
The activities of conservation officers are most effective when they are embedded in the local planning authority, rather than being seen as an add-on.
NB. Conservation officers may also be employed by non-departmental public bodies or charitable trusts such as English Nature, the Countryside Agency, English Heritage, Historic England, the National Trust and so on, as well as by central government and by private consultancies.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Archaeological officer.
- Are works to listed buildings demolition or alteration?
- Archaeology and construction.
- Building preservation notice.
- Cautions or formal warnings in relation to potential listed building offences in England and Wales.
- Certificate of immunity.
- Charging for Listed Building Consent pre-application advice.
- CIAT shares IHBC research into LA conservation service capacity.
- Conservation.
- Conservation areas.
- Conservation officers in historic towns.
- Conservation practice survey 2016.
- English Heritage.
- Forced entry to listed buildings.
- Historic England.
- Historic Environment Service Provider Recognition.
- How to make conservation areas work.
- Is conservation area policy fit for purpose 50 years on.
- Listed buildings.
- Local authority conservation specialists jobs market 2014.
- Loss of senior conservation staff and posts in England March 2010 to April 2011.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- Negotiating listed building consent.
- Negotiating skills for conservation professionals.
- Planning authority duty to provide specialist conservation advice.
- Scheduled monuments.
- Sharing local authority conservation services.
- Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
- The history of conservation areas.
- Tree preservation order.
- Use of direct action in heritage enforcement cases in England.
- What makes a heritage-at-risk officer.
[edit] External references.
IHBC NewsBlog
HEF’s Heritage Sector Resilience Plan launched
The Heritage Sector Resilience Plan, developed by the Historic Environment Forum (HEF) with the support of Historic England, has been launched.
Common Commitment to all Ireland’s heritage – North South Agreement on Vernacular Heritage
An ‘All-Island’ commitment to Ireland’s vernacular heritage has been established with the signing of the North South Agreement on Vernacular Heritage, supporting traditional buildings etc.
Bristol Harbourside landmark Canons House gets GII listing
Canons House, a landmark building on Bristol Harbourside, has been awarded Grade II (GII) listed status having been built as a regional headquarters for Lloyds Bank between 1988 and 1991 (Arup)
BRE/BEIS project to modernise home energy rating scheme
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has announced a new project with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to improve and modernise the home energy rating scheme used to measure the energy and environmental performance of UK homes.
Interdisciplinary IHBC accreditation recognised by CSCS for PQP Cards
Sector lead the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has recognised the IHBC’s professional accreditation and support (CPD etc.) in awarding its PQP (Professionally Qualified Person) cards.
IHBC Heritage Marketplace provides learning-led virtual engagement
The IHBC’s 2022 Aberdeen School Heritage MarketPlace (4.30-7.30PM, 15 June) is designed to extend the scope of a traditional IHBC School exhibition floor.
Unearthing the history of Gloucester’s 'the Fleece' Hotel starts
Work to repair a fire-hit medieval hotel in Gloucester is underway as crews have started work to strip back some of the modern trappings and reveal the historic framework.
Booking Open for IHBC Annual School: Aberdeen, 16-18 June 2022
Options for in-person and virtual delegates to explore ‘heritage on the edge’ across up to 4 days of IHBC engagement & learning.
European Heritage Heads Forum statement on Ukraine
The Secretariat to the European Heritage Heads Forum has has coordinated its declaration of solidarity and support for Ukraine’s cultural heritage institutions.
Welcome to #IHBC25 – 25 years since we turned professional
2022 will see the IHBC mark a quarter of a century since our incorporation as a professional body supporting and accrediting built and historic environment conservation specialists. We’re kick-starting it by inviting your ideas on how to mark this special year!