'Heritage Counts' published by English Heritage
English Heritage published its annual audit of the historic environment on 15 November, reports SALON 153 - the Society of Antiquaries of London Online Newsletter 27 November 2006.
‘Communities and Heritage’ is the theme for the report.
Salon IFA reports:
'Research commissioned for the report revealed the ‘magnificent legacy’ of historic buildings now threatened with neglect, demolition, privatisation or redevelopment ─ town halls, fire stations, county court buildings, libraries, schools and public baths ─ unless imaginative new uses could be found to keep them in community use.
‘Public needs have changed dramatically,’ said our Fellow Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, launching the report, adding that a flood of public buildings would fall out of use in the next fifteen years: ‘These buildings have an important value locally that goes far beyond their original uses,’ he said. ‘They endow a sense of distinctiveness on a place as well as helping to shape its character and they often have an emotional resonance for local people. Because they are iconic their loss has a dramatic impact on the look and feel of a local area.’
Good examples of new uses for such buildings included conversion to restaurants, gyms, museums, community centres or music venues. Shoreditch Town Hall, venue for the launch, was held up as a model: rescued by a community-based trust, the town hall now thrives as a venue for everything from lavish Sikh weddings to fashion shows.
The report highlighted the role played by community-based groups in taking on and finding new uses for redundant historic buildings. Research for the report suggests that local authorities are not sufficiently aware of the wealth of heritage expertise and commitment available within the local community. Despite central Government emphasis on consultation in planning decisions and strategic planning, meaningful community involvement simply isn’t happening in many parts of the country.'
‘Communities and Heritage’ is the theme for the report.
Salon IFA reports:
'Research commissioned for the report revealed the ‘magnificent legacy’ of historic buildings now threatened with neglect, demolition, privatisation or redevelopment ─ town halls, fire stations, county court buildings, libraries, schools and public baths ─ unless imaginative new uses could be found to keep them in community use.
‘Public needs have changed dramatically,’ said our Fellow Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, launching the report, adding that a flood of public buildings would fall out of use in the next fifteen years: ‘These buildings have an important value locally that goes far beyond their original uses,’ he said. ‘They endow a sense of distinctiveness on a place as well as helping to shape its character and they often have an emotional resonance for local people. Because they are iconic their loss has a dramatic impact on the look and feel of a local area.’
Good examples of new uses for such buildings included conversion to restaurants, gyms, museums, community centres or music venues. Shoreditch Town Hall, venue for the launch, was held up as a model: rescued by a community-based trust, the town hall now thrives as a venue for everything from lavish Sikh weddings to fashion shows.
The report highlighted the role played by community-based groups in taking on and finding new uses for redundant historic buildings. Research for the report suggests that local authorities are not sufficiently aware of the wealth of heritage expertise and commitment available within the local community. Despite central Government emphasis on consultation in planning decisions and strategic planning, meaningful community involvement simply isn’t happening in many parts of the country.'
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