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.
- 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 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
Drinkers toast the future after historic Leeds pub granted GII listed heritage status
The Templar Hotel on Vicar Lane has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
Housing Minister announces new champion for modern ‘MMC’ housebuilding
Government has announced a new Champion for Modern Methods of Construction as part of the government’s drive to make the UK the global leader in housing standards.
RTPI on ‘Why planning needs better outcome measurement’
Planning is about so much more than the number of applications approved and the speed of processing them so the RTPI is commissioning research aimed at producing a toolkit that can demonstrate a wider range of outcomes.
The rise of ‘facadism’ in London, from the BBC and ‘The Gentle Author’
London blogger The Gentle Author has been photographing the changing face of London, focusing on what is known as ‘facadism’, the practice of destroying everything apart from the front wall and constructing a new building behind it.
Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens Facing Off Dilapidation
Urgent repairs have been ordered to save one of the country’s most endangered buildings from dilapidation while Great Yarmouth Borough Council seeks an investor.
Construction urged to do more for butterflies and bees, via SNH
SNH has published new guidance on how best to fit pollinators into urban design and construction with a series of easy steps to suit all project budgets and sizes.
Applications now open for the Sustainability Scholarship for 2020: Closing 29/11
Applications are invited for the Sustainability Scholarship 2020, with successful applicants to receive £3000, support and mentoring from experts, and closing 29 November.
Government asked to save plans for Queensbury tunnel cycle
It was hoped the 1.4 mile (2.3km) Victorian Queensbury Tunnel could be used by cyclists travelling between Bradford and Halifax, but plans have been threatened.
Case Study in Durham Cathedral: Project Managment and Building Services Challenges
Completing works that widened public access to the hidden architectural spaces and collections of Durham Cathedral showcases exceptional project management.
Autumn clamp down on dust by HSE – site visits planned
This month HSE is carrying out its latest construction inspection initiative with a focus in particular on measures in place to protect workers from occupational lung disease caused by asbestos, silica, wood and other dusts when carrying out common construction tasks.
Public property hubs to be delivered in Birmingham and Peterborough
Peterborough and Birmingham are the latest places to benefit from the Government Hubs programme to regenerate city centre sites.