Consultation on Conservation Professional Practice Principles

In July 2022, a consultation was launched on updating and enhancing the IHBC-HTVF-Civic Voice joint ‘Conservation Professional Practice Principles’, looking at renewing the cross-sector statement on practice principles for specialists working in built and historic environment conservation roles.

IHBC trustees and CPPP lead author Dave Chetwyn said: ‘Working with historic places and buildings involves a diverse and complex range of specialist skills, across different professional disciplines. It is essential to employ professional teams from the necessary disciplines, with historic and built environment expertise. As the ‘Principles’ statement recognises international, national and devolved UK legislation, policy and statements, and how they operate in the real world, it puts practice standards at the heart of how we deliver successful conservation outcomes. Now, some five years later, we are ready to update and enhance the document, we look forward to hearing thoughts from all users and stakeholders.’

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘With our #IHBC25 anniversary we’re perfectly placed to review this core practice standard for Conservation Professionals. We want it to have as much impact on practice standards as possible, and across all specialist interests and disciplines, so please do let us know what you think

The Conservation Professional Practice Principles was first published in 2017 by IHBC, Civic Voice & HTVF. It is an overview of built and historic environment practice for conservation professionals and describes the skills and specialisms necessary to properly manage, conserve and develop historic places and buildings.

The 25th anniversary year of IHBC is an ideal opportunity to revise and update the Principles and we are seeking feedback on the existing document and its use.

This guide provides an overview of built and historic environment practice for conservation professionals across the United Kingdom. It has been developed to raise awareness of the skills and specialisms necessary to properly manage, conserve and develop historic places and buildings. It recognises international, national and devolved UK legislation, policy and statements, and how they operate in practice.

Practice Principles contents include:

1 What Does a Conservation Professional Do?

• 1 Specialist Conservation Activities
• 2 Specialist Disciplines

2 Understanding Values of Heritage

• 1 Value to Owners
• 2 Economic Values
• 3 Community Values
• 4 Environmental Values
• 5 Heritage Value, including Special Interest and Significance

3 Professional Practice

• 1 Reconciling Values
• 2 Things to Consider
• 3 Making Balanced Judgements

See the Conservation Professional Practice Principles HERE

Access the survey HERE

This article was first published on the IHBC website on 26 July 2022.

--Institute of Historic Building Conservation

Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Conservation practice survey 2016.
• Conservation Professional Practice Principles.
• Conservation.
• Heritage practice in England for balanced growth.
• Heritage.
• IHBC articles.
• IHBC.
• Living Buildings. Architectural Conservation: philosophy, principles and practice.