CONTEXT 12 - June 1986

Association of Conservation Officers Quarterly Newsletter No 12 • June 1986 Context

Context CONTRIBUTIONSfrom any member are very welcome, and are essential if the Newsletter is to be topical, relevant and useful. Please send copy to your Regional Contact - see next column - or to the Editor at the address below. If possible please type,single spaced, to a column width of 85mm. If you have a choice of type face, please use this one, which is Pica Elite 12. EDITOR: Mrs Jenny Birkett, 130 Bouverie Avenue South, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8EA tel. 0722 336272 ext 387 (office); or 0722 334129 (home). ASSISTANTEDITOR: Bob Kindred of Ipswich Borough Council (0473 211511 x381) has been appointed Assistant Editor. He may be contacted at 4 All Saints Road, Ipswich, Suffolk lPl 4DG (0473 59441) COVER: Netley Abbey was a Cistercian house on the north-eastern bank of the Solent in Hampshire. Monks came here from Beaulieu, the present home of Lord Montagu in the south of the New Forest. ·The monks moved in in 1239. In 1251 Henry III declared himself patron of the Abbey so work is thought to have begun in the 1240's. The Ab~~y became a house for Sir William Pauletat the Reformation, but is now an unoccupied Scheduled Ancient Monument _in the care of the HBMC. STOP PRESS: TheACO committee meeting recently has considered a number of points for the future. We would like to know what provision there is for education for conservation and John Fidler Chris Brett, with help from Roger France (Oxford Polytechnic) will be gathering information on what exists. Your views would be welcome. ACOhas also agreed to join with SAVE in considering proposals to improve the present system of taxation and benefits for historic buildings and their owners. We will be _developing the work we have done for the Environment Committee with a view to producing our own Manifesto for Conservation for presentation next spring, followed by a conference next year, possibly in Bristol 'Views, information, offers of help,. to the Regional Contacts or Officers please. Page 2 r - ACOREGIONALCONTACTS NORTH: Keith Murray: 091 4567531 x251 (South Tyneside Borough Council) NORTHWEST: Mike Kfo'g: 0704 -33133 x121 (Sefton Borough Council) YORKSHIRE:Robert Scriven: 0924 370211 (Wakefield Metropolitan DC) x417 W.MIDLANDS:Michael Fox: 0902 27811 (Wolverhampton Metropolitan BC) E.MIDLANDS:Graham Beaumont:0602 824824 (Nottinghamshire County Council) SOUTHWEST: Robert Ladd: 0749 2338 (Mendip District Council) SOUTH: Chris Brett: 0734 786833 x358 (Wokingham District Council) EAST ANGLIA: John Preston: 0223 317616 (Cambridgeshire County Council) SOUTHEAST: Geoff Pink: 01 541 9416 (Surrey County Council) LONDON:Rosemarie MacQueen: 01 253 8455 (London Borough of Hackney) SCOTLAND:Nie Allen: 031 343 1911 _(Conservation Bureau SDA) WALES: Jon James: 0352 2121 (Clwydd County Council) NORTHERNIRELAND: Colin Hatrick 0232 (DoE NI) 653251 ACO OFFICERS CHAIRMAN: Mike Pearce: 0962 54411 x670 (Hampshire County Council) The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire. SECRETARY:Chris Smith: 0272 290777 x530 (Avon County Council) 3 Paul Street, Kingsdown, Bristol BS2 8HG TREASURER:Peter Richards: 0245 352232 (Essex County Council) x 289 139 Lifstan Way, Thorpe Bay, Essex SSl 2XG MEMBERSHIPSECRETARY:John Davey: 0245 (Essex County Council) 352232 x296 19 Upper Moors, Great Waltham, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 lRB PUBLICITY: James Clifton: 01 8635611 (London Borough of Harrow) x2468 11 Bennett Close, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 lEP PROJECTSOFFICER: John Fidler: 01 734 (HBMC) or 01 741 7297 ( 6010 x721 Top Flat, 36 Ravenscourt Road, London W6 OUG

I Conservation in the Community ACO Workshopat Liverpool·April1986 Few will easily forget the impact of seeing the scale of Liverpool's problems at first hand. Dr Ritchie, of the Merseyside Dock Development Corporation, stressed at the reception on the first evening the positive developments - the achievement of the MDDC in restoring and finding uses for Albert Dock, the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in Europe; but over the next three days we were to see and hear of many, smaller schemes - and many areas where nothing had yet made any visible impression. PROFESSORTARN, of the University's School of Architecture, set the conference in context by reminding us that fifteen years ago conservationists were generally regarded as cranks; we had progressed since then - but on the other hand, fifteen years ago conservationists would not have been looking to the voluntary sector for major contributions. We had gained enormous public support, but the present political climate provided little warmth and comfort for us. He was delighted we had chosen Liverpool to meet; its low public image discouraged potential conference customers; he stressed that its problems were not principally political, but those of a great 18th and 19th century port with no modern role. We needed to remember that the art of practical conservation is part of active planning. However, the present government's determination to 'take the corsets off' planning, as part of a major reversal of Fabian ideals and the principles of the welfare state, is a cause for concern; promotion of the rights of the individual and private enterprise pose a threat to most environmental causes. Politics and conservation The political background -whether defined generally, or as party politics at local or national level - was a theme that recurred throughout the conference. T0N~ ALD0Ue, architectural journalist, homed in on specific threats in the next talk on Friday; economic exigency (as .? age 3 when developers claim that conservation stood in the way of jobs); reduced planning control; an iniquitous tax system which fails to favour repair rather then alteration, and which financially rewards demolition; lack of any national policy ( a 'Blueprint for Survival' for buildings?) to encourage maintenance and good housekeeping; and- locally as only one example - populist regimes which do not see conservation as relevant. His prescription was more promotion and publicity; conservation staff are too modest and do not make enough noise. We could take lessons from such as Rod Hackney in self-advertisement. But in order to gain genuine popular support, we must communicate the relevance of conservation to the local community. The Come Dancing approach to conservation Next, KEN MARTINof Liverpool Polytechnic, also a television personality - perhaps the David Bellamy of the built environment. His piece de resistance was proof, in slide form, that he had proposed the restoration of the Albert Dock a good 15 years before the Merseyside Development Corporation was even a gleam in Michael Heseltine's piercing blue eyes. He exhorted us to be more open-minded; to recognise that the expression of individuality in the form of off-the-peg features applied to the terrace house ("dot:meritis") should be recognised and channelled; and to stop "suspecting the profit motive" in the development process. He illustrated the types of scheme which can result from a mis-match of ardent developer and Conservation Area -the 'Bathcaster' scheme ( aluminium sashes and asbestos cement mansard) and recommended that those proposing this (or the neo-Georgian mode) should be asked" Yes, but does your car have coach lamps?". He greatly favours the promotional video or telly programme as a way of getting across ideas; thus the memorable and lengthy scene showing +to the strains of a Palm Court Orchestra - an adroit Ken Martin steering an impressive lady in evening attire a_round the floor of a new community centre while he questioned her closely about the merits of the scheme and how it was achieved .

His latest video - which he has made himself -is intended~ to stimulate financial support for the restoration of listed buildings in:a small block of larld in Liverpool; this to create workspace for self-employed people, regenerating the city and not just the historic buildings. His video was intended to show what could be done, and encourage others to come in and manage the project once they realized what was required - leaving the architect to concentrate on the fabric not the finance. This was to be another recurring theme -the architect or conservationist as the 'envisager', showing (if necessary by example) what could be achieved; this role had been referred to by Dr ~itchie, Director of the Merseyside Development Corporation when he remarked that developers and customers did not necessarily know what they wanted until someone had the vision to do it and show them. Keynote lecture SIMON JENKINS, Historic Buildings and Monuments Commissioner and Political Editor of The Economist, spoke -he saidinformally as an individual rather than officially as a Commissioner and Chairman of the Historic Areas Committee. It was traditional, he said, to praise what had already been achieved before going into the attack (which was clearly expected, as John Fidler had billed this as a 'provocati_ve discourse'). He therefore praised the re-listing programme, and the gradual change of attitude which had broadened the definition of what was worthy of conservation, to include virtually the whole country as a conservation resource. The HBMC, although constrained financially, itself represented an advance as it was released from the control of central government. Then he identified the problems; rising expectations for grant from HBMC, and the resulting need to reduce tfie percentage of grant to each applicant; the collapse of Housing Improvement Grant as a major resource for hosuing repair; the loss of the Metropolitan Counties and the GLC; and the fact that conservationists appear to be losing the initiative to the 'loony Right' through resting on past laurels. His precepts for conservationists included "less aesthetics., more economics" - we must be wary of the danger of not appearing to be part of the Real World. We need therefore to adopt the tough language of urban economics; the urgent need for building maintainance to be encouraged, the economic benefits of tourism. Locally, for example, we need to show councillors the visible benefits of investment in the historic environment as a tourism resource. The need for a higher political profile was also re-iterated; we should find ways of playing a more active political role nationally and locally, establishing a strong political lobby for the conservation of the built environment. We must capture the imagination of the young im the way that the nature conservation movement had already done, and mobilise the silent majority -probably millions more agreed with us than didn't. HBMCgrants and casework Simon Jenkins' mos.t radical prescriptions concerned the way in which grants and casework are handled. He has been surprised by the amount of time devoted to the minutiae of casework in relation to Section 10 and Section 3A grants, and favours devolution of as much as possible of this to local planning authorities. He would prefer to see money spent on making this delegation work properly; if anything, more should be spent on staff at HBMCat Inspector level, and less on grants. Resources should be concentrated more on Town .Schemes which generated money from local authoiities. Ways should be found of encouraging local authorities to enlist the support of others - trusts, housing associations. Public relations HBMCneeded to communicate what it wanted and had achieved - there was as much, if not more, productivity in a well-timed press release as in a grant. More research was needed. lA voice in the audience: What about publishing what you've already got?) Page 4

Predictably, this stirred up a spirited debate, in particular the suggestion that there should be more delegation to local authorities of decisions on the destiny of grant money. The point was forcibly made from the audience that there should be no devolution without education; uninformed shopkeepers did not make good decisions without considerable help and guidance. Mr Jenkins stuck to his proposal; listed building control was still available and the new lists were an important stick if the carrot failed. He maintained it was still possible to take more risks with delegation than are taken at the moment. The audience generally agreed however on the need for more partner· ship schemes, but stressed the need for weighting to areas of need. Another point strongly made from the floor is the need for HBMCto force themselves on authorities who are not taking their responsibilities seriously. Altogether, there was great suspicion of any move to withdraw the·::muchneeded help and guidance which HBMC Inspectors tirelessly give to local authority staff. Working with Building Preservation Trusts Sailing in less choppy waters, ALAN BEMROSEas Secretary of the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, stressed the marketing aspects of the business of running a Trust. The Trust had to have the ability not only to see a derelict building restored, but to see how it could, when restored, be converted into something someone wanted to use. He gave much sound advice on fund-raising; for example, don't ask for a grant, ask for 'working capital'. The interest gained will be in the form of the publicity the building generates for the donor or lender. He claimed that a local authority was. not necessarily the right agency to deal with old buildings; it does not have the money to take on liabilities, and there is too much disparity in attitudes b~tween authorities. The existence of A Historic Buildings Trust is not a solution to the macro-problem of why buildings are neglected; and~ff a local authority will not use the legal powers it has! all the other agencies are powerless. However, every Historic Buildings Trust needs an enthusiastic Conservation Officer, and every Conservation Officer should have a good Historic Buildings Trust to back him up. Trusts are also good at land assembly; and they could also be used as a 'flying squad' for emergency repairs in collaboration with local authorities. Seaport Saturday morning's speaker was Dr Quentin Hughes of Liverpool University School of Architecture, talking on the architecture of Liverpool over the last 200 years and setting in context the decline of the city; modern shipping has no need of the extensive port services formerly provided and, with crew no longer set loose with money to spend during extensive unloading and loading and servicing, there is no need of the facilities for spending money. He dwelt particularly on the pioneering architectural soirit of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, fostered by contact with the United States and by the relative lack of building regulations compared to the capital; experiment with new structural materials such as cast-iron was possible. Many of us were surprised to learn that~~ experiments with cast-iron structures ~ere not confined to the dock buildings - Liverpool has several churches in cast iron, the earliest from the late 18t~ century. This was an excellent introduction to the afternoon's tours, three of which were to different areas of Liverpool, and one to Chester. Saturday morning was also the AGMof the Association - reported separately. Seminar groups The final session on Sunday was given over to discussion in four separate groups followed by a joint summing-up session. Topics were: Working with Amenity Groups; Working with Community Groups; Working with Building Preservation Trusts; and Working with Archaeologists and Specialists. During the general discussion, the principal points to emerge included the Page 5 I

need -already emphasised by several of the speakers during the previous two daysto find a new platform from which to sell conservation to politicians both local and national; this included the demand for HBMCto take on the advocacy role much needed at the moment, as the Countryside Commission had done for nature conservation. The local councillors who were at the Conference, and those conservation officers from hard-pressed inner city authorities, were well aware that expenditure on conservation carried penalties in lost grant from central government, and several stressed the (quite reasonable) reluctance of socialist councils with a large and decaying housing stock to spend on listed buildings when other,less historic,buildings could provide more accommodation at less cost. An interesting comparison was made with agriculture: farmers are now being paid to take land out of cultivation for conservation reasons. Why was similar subsidy not available for the built environment? The main messages It is high time building conservationists locally and nationally made more noise; entered the political arena and became (or employed) professional lobbyists; appealed more to the public conscience; familiarised themselves with the 'Green Manifestos' of the political parties; and started using the language of the urban economist to stress that the built environment, and particularly the historic environment, is a resource well worth investment. The climate induced by the present government encourages individual expression and profit, but at the expense of some parts of the fragile and painfully acquired system of planning control we have. Conservation must be sold to the populist regimes; community architecture (however defined) must have a role to play here. A further well-defined need was for the conser~etionist as visionary and practitioner combined; not only being able to envisage a restoration, but bring it about as an example to others. workshop and AGM summaries by Jenny Birkett. Page 6 AGM ANNUALGENERALMEETING: SUMMARYOF PROCEEDINGS The AGMof the Association of Conservation Officers was held at the University of Liverpool School of Architecture on April 12th 1986. Opening the meeting, the Chairman said that we were pleased to be meeting in Liverpool in order to be able to see at first hand the scale of the problems the city was facing. He was convinced that the skills we had all acquired in our work saving historic buildings - finding new uses, new economic roles, co-ordinating funding and stimulating investment - could make some contribution towards positive solutions. The Treasurer said that our account had a small surplus -but that as always, the major expenditure had been in the production of CONTEXT. Most members felt this was worthwhile as the Newsletter is the main link between members and represents us to the outside world~ It was agreed that the subscription should be raised to £8.00 from April 1987. The Chairman and Treasurer were re-elected nem. con. but the Secretary, Tony Jenkins, wished to tender his resignation. Our gratitude for his hard work was expressed; Chris Smith was proposed as his replacement and was unanimously elected. Other officers were all re-elected; some Regional Contacts however have changed. (These are noted in the list on the inside front cover of this issue.) During general discussion, following the formal business, concern was expressed that much remained to be done to improve links with the HBMC. Suggestions made included meetings with individual Commissioners, possibly on a regional basis; and another joint conference in 1987. Three motions were approved; that the membership of ACO welcomes co-operation with the HBMC; that the organizers (in particular Mike King) should be thanked; and that ACOwould be committed to doing whatever it could to correct the wholly negati~e and unhelpful view of Liverpool currently voiced abroad.

I a English Heritage DEVELOPERS' REQUIREMENTS FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS As part of the Commission's developing 'Buildings at Risk' initiative, we are encouraging 'developers' (in the widest sense) to provide information on their requirements for historic buildings to purchase and refurbish. Of course many 'developers' will need expert guidance and strict development control from conservation officers, but they should be seen as enablers to facilitate local restorations. After all, they have the money -which is often the key. Recently I have been contacted by the Sue Ryder Foundation, whose details follow. Although the Foundation is at the centre of a controversy in Peterborough, its intentions are honourable and its financial backing is sound. All that is needed, therefore, is sensible development control and good design. I trust ACO will grasp such opportunities to utilise such developers when they step forward. A brief specification of an ideal property from the Sue Ryder Foundation's point of view Site Area -Minimum of 4/5 acres to give privacy and quiet - preferably landscaped with mature trees. House - 20,000 sq ft or 2000 sq m minimum -preferably two floors, but three could be acceptable. Preferably, each upper floor on one level and providing a minimum of 15 bed spaces in 7 to 10 rooms with space for 3 bathroums, a sluice and a sitting area. It must be possible to provide a stretcher lift access. It is also very helpful if there are outbuildings\which can provide ground floor bed spaces without the cost of a lift. It is de~irable to be within 2 to 4 miles of an urban area for staff and resident interest, etc. We would expect to provide some 40 car parking spaces for staff, doctors, etc. If the house and grounds were of public interest, a further 50 spaces may be necessary for week-end visitors.· How much is the Foundation looking to spend? The total should not exceed the cost of building on a'green field'site; the total being made up of cost of purchase, cost of repair less any grant, and cost of conversion. The Foundation has to make a very informed value judgement in assessing any purchase price. Every building is different in terms of costs of repair and conversion. When these costs are calculated, it is possible to arrive at a purchase price acceptable to the Council of the Foundation. The Foundation will very willingly and very quickly prepare an evaluation for any house in the areas of need. John Fidler Conservation Officer for Buildings at Risk, Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England LETTERS: The ·Met.Counties From David B. Lovie 29 Whitton Way Gosforth Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE3 3HY The future of conservation in Tyne and Wear County I would like to outline for your readers the future arrangements for conservation in Tyne and Wear County. This information could form the basis of a longer article in CONTEXT on the fate of conservation in all the Metropolitan Counties. Page 7

As you know, until 31st March, Tyne and Wear County was served b_y the County's Joint Conservation Team. This consisted of a Team Leader - an architect/plannera restoration architect, an architectural historian, an archaeologist, and three conservation planners; eight officers in all. On the 1st April, all this changed. The Joint Team has been reduced, fragmented and dispersed. In this process, skills and experience have bien lost to the local authorities. In detail, one officer has retired early -the historian - and t~e two architects have 'gone private'. The three planners will each join the Planning Department of a District in the County -Newcastle,Gateshead and South Tyneside- leaving the remaining Districts, North Tyneside and Sunderland, without full -time officers from the County Joint Team. The two archaeologists have been the subject of special arrangements. ThE!y have formed the basis of a specialist County-wide team. Their base is rewcastle Planning Department, but they serve ( and are paid for by) all the five Districts of the County. A place has also been created in this specialist team for an experienced restoration architect who . . ' is likely to be appointed after advertisinQ beyond the County. , The loss of the previous County-wide multi-disciplinary Team is to be regretted; great progress in rescue, grant-aiding and education had been made over the thirteen years of its existence. But the future of the service in Tyne and Wear County is not so black as was once feared; at least some continuity of activity and standards may now be maintained. In the new circumstances, there can be little doubt that for conservation off°icers in Tyne and wear ;-·-regional ACO meetings will be more important than ever. A further letter comments on the correspondence ·_ hetween the Chairman· of ACO and the former Secretary of State for the Environment, Kenneth Baker, which was reported in the last issue of CONTEXT: from: Margaret Sanders 14 Birchside Avenue Glossop Derbyshire The vista of Whitehall from St James' Park has long been admired. It is less encouraging to have one's suspicions that those delightful 'Ivory Towers' have a metaphorical validity as well as a literal one so amply confirmed! Does Kenneth Baker not know that one of the few early decisions made by the Co-ordinating Committee of the Greater Manchester Districts when it began to discuss post-abolition arrangements in earnest, was that it was not prepared to support the continuation of a 'Conservation' Unit after abolition? Has no-one told him that the staff currently working for Greater Manchester's Conservation Group are so disillusioned by the Government's action that as many as possible of them have been actively seeking employment right outside the field of local government? And that as most are qualified architects, such opportunities have arisen fo~ several of them, with the result that the core of the Group has already been broken up and lost? Even if all ten of the Greater Manchester Districts agreed to appoint a Conservation Officer, it is highly unlikely that there would be sufficient G.M.C. staff to go round and at best, their collective experience will be scattered and dispersed. It is perhaps fortunate that Mr Rumble of English Heritage foresaw such an eventuality and has written to the various Districts suggesting that the North West Civic Trust might be in a position to carry out a co-ordinating role once the County disappears. The Civic Trust is actively pursuing this suggestion and is currently holding discussions with each of the Districts in turn to assess the likely degree of support. My own District has expressed its interest in such a scheme and so, I understand, have several others~ Final arrangements have yet to be made. Page 8

I But no, Mr Pearce, at least as far as Greater Manchester is concerned, you will not find it "reassuring to establish contact with the 60-ordinating Committee". Not, that is, if you expect to find government-sponsored arrangements taking over=where the County has to leave off. But perhaps there is more reassurance to be found in the knowledge that the people already working ~in the field' in Greater Manchester are aware of the problem and are actively seeking to fill the gap that will be left by the loss of the County staff's experience and expertise. That loss, however, is absolute and will not easily be replaced. Appeal Decisions PAINTING AT HEXHAM- DISMISSED A listed building in Hexham had the front stonework painted white and the woodwork bright red - this was claimed to be 'company colours'. Listed building consent was refused as this was thought to be too bright a colour scheme. An appeal resulted in a dismissal -the Inspector was of the opinion that if the stonework were restored, it might be able to accept brightly coloured paint on the shop window,but the scheme as it existed, particularly the downpipe and gutter, "struck a discordant note ... and the double doors are in this context too large an area for such a strident colour." UPVCWINDOWSAT BRIGHTON- DISMISSED The unauthorised installation of UPVC windows in a listed building in Marine Parade, Brighton, was the subject of two enforcement notices, for breach of both planning control and listed building regulations. The appeal against planning enfnrcement was allowed, but the.listed buildini enfbrcemerit ~as upheld as the Insp.ector decided .. "The new windows impinge on the building's historic ·character". References: Hexham APP/B2925/E/85/801501 (Tynedale Dis~rict Council); and Brighton APP/Nl405/F/8~/116 (Brighton Borough C.) Acanthus .4.fwnaltd ..I rrhitrclurnl Practuri Lid ACANTHUS:ARCHITECTSLINK UP NATIONWIDE Acanthus, a new form of national architectural practice; was launched at the Victoria and Albert Museum on April 29th. Named after the classical decorative feature, the acanthus leaf , Acanthus is a nationwide network of like-minded architectural practices, brought together by shared objectives: the enhancement of the environment by careful repair and re-use of old buildings; the fostering of good craftmanship, and a respectful but spirited approach to new building. The member practices see this as the dlternative way forward to that followed by the megapractice, with all the advantages of full national coverage but retaining the personal service associated with a local firm. The nine member .practices, all of which were founded in the late 70's, are situated in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Derby, Shrewsbury, Belfast, Kings Lynn, London, Bristol and Winchester. It is intended to expand membership to about twenty to give full coverage to the British Isles. Advantages'offered to the member practices include shared information,(and possible compilation of a nationwide index of craftsmen , builders and consultants (sounds familiar, somehow - Ed.); shared facilities including computer-accessed library and data~base; joint publications and promotion; and mutual support. The Acanthus philosophy is "preserving the past and promoting appropriate new architecture - with emphasis on the sheer pleasure of sympathetic yet witty design". Further information from: Vicky Maxwell, Acanthus, Voysey House, Barley Mow Passage, Chiswick, London W4 4PN; telephone 01 995 1232 Page 9

SUPPORTING THE CONSULTANT Derek Latham Derek Latham, now in private practice but formerly Conservation Officer with Derbyshire, wrote in the last issue about the 'view from the other side' - here he offers some practical advice on the relationship between consultant and local authority. Conservation officers working for a local authority may wonder whether the consultant needs 'supporting', or indeed in whose best interest it lies to provide such 'support'. However, in the hope that you do find negotiations easier, the results better and the job more rewarding, when working with a consultant conservation architect - then the more often the consultant is used on grant work and applications, the easier your own task should be. It is perhaps too blinkered to say that a consultant is only as good as the last job he has achieved, but the truth is not far from this. His success in any particu1ar commission will, therefore, enhance his chances of a repeat performance! In order to be successful, the conservation architect has to satisfy the planning committee, the conservation committee, the planning and/or conservation officer, the building he is repairing, converting, or constructing, and of course his own bank manager! The Seven Commandments To assist the consultant, the conservation officer should: 1 2 State clearly if a proposed use is unsympathetic in principle. If clients think a consultant is encouraging him to commission designs which the planning au~hority would under no circumstances be prepared to entertain, his reputation can be badly dented. Identify the parameters within which tQe committee will be looking for a solution. 3 Think laterally to identify the areas of flexibility where he is open to accept various solutions. 4 Initiate a dialogue with the consultant, perhaps by means of a telephone discussion initially. 5 Be decisive where possible, particularly when a client is present and there are certain factors which must be taken into account. 6 Avoid seeking a personal design solution, but point out areas of concern, giving ideas (but do not be surprised if this produces other solutions!) 7 Let the conservation architect know if a solution once proposed is not acceptable, but do listen to his reasons and the commercial constraints within which he is working, to identify whether these are reasonable and should be accommodated. If you are approached by a client who is not well advised and you consider a consultant architect would be of benefit to him, remember you will be doing him a service to suggest a choice of people he might contact. If you are not aware of, say, three suitable practices in your • area, then either through enquiring of other conservation officers or the Clien·t' s Advisory Service of the RIBA, it will be useful to make yourself aware of suitable practices. You can always ask for information from practices upon the work that they have done, visit their offices and (probably more importantly) visit examples of their work. After all, there can be no art in architecture without patronage! INFORMATIONPLEASE .... on conservation award schemes of any kind run by local authorities, particularly City or District Councils. I am sure some historic cities must have such schemes - I would like to kn~w their scope, type of award given, criteria, success rate, etc. Please write or phone Jenny Birkett Page 10

MEMBERS FORUM From Jeremy Jefferies Conservation Officer Cheltenham Borough Council STATUTORY UNDERTAKERS' EQUIPMENTON BUILDINGS I should be glad to know ACOmembers' experience of statutory undertakers fixing equipment to the exteriors of buildings, -new, listed or otherwise. Have other members had the frustration of agreeing designs for a new terrace, only to find the actual building on the ground defaced by a row of meter boxes stuck down the length of the street frontage? These GRP boxes seem seldom to be referred to at design stage. Now, with the start of cable television, there is a danger of even more buildings being draped in wires and conduits. Our local Cable Television Company appears keen to co-operate, but it has almost limitless powers -.and its cable is available only in black. I have not yet formally approached the gas and electricity boards, whose powers are doubtless similar. I should like first to have some knowledge of other authorities' experience in controlling cables and meter boxes; any good precedents or advice would be welcome. Please write to: Jeremy Jefferies, Cheltenham Borough Council Dept. of Architecture and Planning, PO Box 12, Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucs. GL50 lPP. Tel: 0242 521333 REQUESTFOR INFORMATION: LISTED BUILDING CONSENTFOR CLEANINGOF STONEOR BRICK BUILDINGS I have had a letter from Brian Blackwood FRIBA FRTPI, formerly head of the Design Section of Hertfordshire County Planning Dept., and who is now on the Council of the Ancient Monuments Society. He asks for information to pass on to a Listed Buildings Panel regarding action that can be taken fo prevent inappropriate cleaning of buildings, particularly in Page 11 terraces. "The building is one in a terrace of circa 1819, in the typical Cambridge gault brick, and now shouts at one, as it is so much lighter compared with the remainder which are weathered, and with its joints so much darker than the brickwork ... it has had the joints re-pointed in what appears to be a cement mortar". I have passed on to Mr Blackwood copies of the correspondence that I received following my own item about unsuitable pointing, so that he may consider whether it is worthwhile pursuing enforcement on the pointing; but he would I expect be interested to know for future reference of authorities who take a strong line on cleaning and consider it to require listed building consent. Regarding the pointing problem, I have received from Sevenoaks District Council (or rather Kent County Council who are advising on the enforcement) a detailed specification for removal of hard pointing in a similar case to my own, where enforcement action is proceeding. It will be intersting to see whether the removal of the cement mortar can be effected without damage to the bricks. If you can offer information, please write .to MT> Blackwood at Ebony House, Whitney Drivei Stevenage SGl ~BL: tel. 0438 725111 MATERIALREQUIREDFOR NEWBOOKON CONVERSIONOF HISTORIC BUILDINGS Pamela Cunnington, who has recently retired from her post as Conservation Officer for Dorset County, is now collecting material for a book on the conversion of historic buildings and has• written to ask whether any ACOmembers can let her know of good examples. She will ac.l<nowledge in the book any assistan.ce 'received, and the name of the architect for any scheme used. Please contact her at 3 Linden Court, South Walks, Dorchester, Dorset DTl lEJ; tel. 65345.

LegalEagle Two recent legal decisions will be of interest to members. The first, by the Court of Appeal on 25 March 1986 in Debenhams PLC v Westminster City Council concerned the question of the extent of curtilage. It was held that property on the east side of Kingly~ Street was listed by virtue of the fact that it was fixed, at the time, by a bridge and tunnel to property on the west side which in turn was a continuous part of the rear of property in Regent Street, where Nos 200-202 fell within the list entry of "Numbers 172-206 (even)". It was therefore all listed, and was also one hereditament - that is one entry in the rating lists. Debenhams won the appeal and were able to claim rate relief for a period of vacancy under Sl7 of the General Rate Act 1967 where the Council had adopted the provisions of Schedule 1 - see Part 2 of Schedule 1 (as amended). For a full account see the Estates Gazette May 31 1986. It is interesting to note that this follows Atorney General ex rel. Sutcliffe v Calderdale BC where the Court of Appeal had held that one end of a terrace attached to a bridge attached to a listed mill was all listed! This may be helpful to conservation officers, but where does it end? In this case on 8 May leave to appeal to the House of Lords was given, so we wait to see what is said there. In the other case, Regina v Wells Street Metropolitan Stipendary Magistrate, ex parte Westminster City Council, the judgement of the Queen's Bench Divisional Court was given on 21 May. This time in favour of the prosecuting Council - Westminster's solicitors have been working overtime recently and clearly deserve the ACO Medal. It was held that removing fittings from a listed building was "an offence of strict liability" for, which the defence of ignorance of the listing was of no help - contrary to the view of the luckless Wells Street M.S.M. who had declined to commit the defendant to trial. The Court remitted the case to the Magistrate to continue the hearing and, presumably, to comit the def-· endant to trial by jury for an offence under S55(1) of the Town & Country Planning Act 1971. This case is of great interest, and its outcome will be of immense importance to conservation officers. See The Times law report of 2 June 1986 for a full account. Note that the Council's historic buildings officer apparently needs to be in the company of a police officer when visiting premises and finding various persons taking away chimney pieces, pannelled doors and staircase balustrading from there. Hike Pearce REGIONALNEWS West Midlands A recent meeting of ACO officers in the West Midlands met at Burton-on-Trent. The morning was spent discussing with Richard Hewlings, a HBMCInspector responsible for Section 3A grants and covering 19 counties, several points of concern. The need for conservation officers to have more on-site discussions with inspectors regarding whether or not buildings were 'outstanding' was raised. The 'new purchaser' rule was a particular issue of concern. The following resolutions were passed: - That the two year purchase rule for Section 3A grants should only be applied when it is obvious that the owners are well endowed with financial resources, or when a clear case of profit will result. -The ten year 'clawback' rule is a serious impediment to people taking up grants; they may have to sell, and have trouble raising the money to be re-paid from building societies. - Specially constituted bodies -parish or town councils and building preservation trusts - require a waiver from these rules. Other matters raised included the use of aluminium windows, and the need to find some way of ensuring that ~hese are not used in Page 12

listed buildings and conservation areas; perhaps by approaching the manufacturers. The degree of alteration to listed buildings remains a concern. The day was concluded by a visit to a working brewery being opened as a museum by the National Brewery Museum Trust; Mike'Knights, conservation officer for East Staffs District Council, is seconded Director of the Museum. ACO Carol Ryan Shropshire CC BUSINESSNEWS ACOSUBMISSIONTO THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEEOF THE HOUSEOF COMMONS In April, the ACO submitted its evidence to the Environment Committee, having received many helpful suggestions and comments from members around the country. Our contribution runs to eleven pages, 78 paragraphs, and is too long to set out here in full. Copies of the full text can be obtained from the regional contacts or the Chairman. The Committee asked for a description of each organisation giving evidence, and asked for comments particularly on (1) the way in which buildings and monuments are identified, (2) the system of grants and other financial assistance, (3) arrangements for public access, and (4) comments on the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. In reply, we said that we were generally happy with the listing resurvey, although we would prefer to see more good later buildings listed and a moveable end date. We welcomed the prospect of an enhanced rescheduling 1programme, and would like to see the listing of gardens made statutory. On (2), we thought grants should be extended to buildings at risk and be more generally available. We thought that the HBMCwas short-staffed and under funded. We thought, of course, that VAT should be removed from repairs and that there ought to be other tax incentives for good conservation. On (3), our comment was that, although access conditions were properly applied, there was no monitoring to see if they were effective. On (4) we expressed the hope that the HBMCcould have more staff and grant funds, which would help to assist more buildings and reduce delays. The NHMF might not then need to mount rescue operations for particular buildings if the HBMC, and indeed the National Trust, were working more closely together. We thought the RCHMought to be integrated with the HBMCas they share a common base, and as their activities are complementary, or they should at least continue to share the same premises. In addition to our response to the specific questions, we suggested the need :to monitor the performance of local planning authorities so that the HBMCor the DoE would know where help was most needed. We also suggested various amendments to improve the law, such as introducing listed building consent for the external alteration of unlisted buildings in conservation areas, extending SlOl all listed buildings~ with safeguards for occupiers of residential property. We also asked for Stop Notices for listed buildings, a repeal of the ecclesiastical exemption and of the application of Dangerous Structure Notices to listed buildings where demolition is an option. We understand that an amendment on this line may have been attached to the current Housing and Planning Bill. We asked that the Secretary of State be not given powers to delegate final responsibility for demolition of any listed buildings. Since submitting our evidence we have exchanged copies with others, and it is clear that most people are taking a similar line. A common theme is to ask the HBMCto do more, and to say, in Page 13

comparison with say the Arts Council or the Coutryside Commission, or the value of tourism generated by hist6ric towns, that the HBMCdeserves and should have more staff and funds and be more active, adopt a "higher profile", as they say. The general theme has not been lost on the Commission and it is hoped that they will feel encouraged to ask for more resources when they meet the Committee under the Chairmanship of Hugh Rossi,MP, when they meet after lunch at Beaulieu on 5 June. Let's hope that helps to balance any special pleading from the Historic Houses Association who have invited the Committee to lunch at Leeds Castle on 21 May. The ACO has not been invited to give further evidence, and even the national amenity societies have only been able Jo appear collectively one afternoon by way of the Joint Committee. Perhaps we should apply to join. However, as everyone now knows what everyone else is thinking we can hope to make some progress whatever the Environment Committee says, or however long they take. Our thanks to everyone who helped us to put our paper together. We have received a number of compliments on it, and would be happy to supply the full text to anyone especially interested. T-he Committee continues its deliberations. A public-spirited mole attended the (public) hearing at Beaulieu, when the Select Committee met the HBMC; copies of an amateur transcription of the discussion are available on application to Mike Pearce. RENEWALOF SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions for due on 1st April. £6.00 (£2.00 for the year 1986/87 are The subscription is students). It helps greatly if you are prepared to complete a Bankers Order, a_~raft of which is printed in this issue. Cheques to me please at: 139 Lifstan Way, Thorpe Bay, Essex SSl 2XG. Peter Richards Hon. Treasurer Courses INSTITUTE OF ADVANCEDARCHITECTURAL STUDIES UNIVERSITYOF YORK, KINGS MANOR,YORK Funding the Architectural Heritage 9 - 12 September 1986 An international conference under the patronage of the Duke of Gloucester, organised jointly by the Council of Europe and the IAAS, in co-operation with the Department of the Environment; fully inclusive cost £200. Planting Design and Conservation in Historic Parks and Gardens 14 -21 September 1986 This course will consider the history of planting design, the management and upkeep of planting schemes, and replanting. It is intended for Landscape Architects, managers and owners of estates. Inclusive cost £375. DESIGN IN THE HIGH STREET Gordon Michell: with a Foreword Qy Norman St John Stevas Architectural Press July 1986 128pp £10.95 Gordon Michell's study -commissioned by the Royal Fine Art Commission, and sponsored by a number of High Street reatilers and developers -is an appeal for the high standard of design necessary to 'bring the High Street back to the people'. It links individual shop design to the total environment of the High Street; it examines current problems and offers solutions. Finally, it stresses the importance of partnership between local authorities, traders and local organisations, essential if we are to reverse the apparent indifference to the environment which has caused the present problems. WE hope to review Gordon Michell's new book fully in the next issue Page 14

SalvagingHampshire Cordon Pearson Gordon Pearson is a quantity surveyor in the Architects Department of Hampshire county council. He describes here the operation of the County C~uncil's salvage scheme for building materials and features, Hampshire is one of Britain's largest counties, and its range of buildings . reflects the diversity of its geographical extent. Much of the central part of the county is chalk upland, where flint and timber-framed buildings tend to dominate the vernacular. At its eastern boundaries, a belt of malmstone gives rise to a wide variety of buildings constructed in this soft creamy-coloured upper greensand. The clays, sand and gravel of the New Forest in the south-west, and the heathlands of the north-east, favour the production of bricks in a wide variety of colours, reflecting the different types of clays and processes. Along the coastal belt, a number of old buildings are of Quarr or Binstead stone, imported from the Isle of Wight in medieval times, although many of these are later buildings where the stone has been re-cycled. The County Council owns a variety of listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments, including bridges, schools, farm buildings and coastal fortifications in addition to a wide range of domestic buildings. To obtain suitable materials for repair and restoration work can be -a problem; and with this in mind, the Council decided to set up its own salvage scheme in 1978, to provide a compound of specialist ma~erials. The District Councils were invited to join the scheme, but there was little enthusiastic response; so the County set up the scheme on its own and consequently use of the material is ;estricted to the repair of buildings in County ownership. The general policy is to salvage materials only from buildings owned by the County, and much of the stock derives from the demolition of 19th century properties in Southampton and Portsmouth acquired for new road schemes. However, if stocks of particular items are low and a demolition contractor is able to offer items which the Council1requires, it will buy on the open market~- All the materials are stored at Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth. This Palmerston fort provides secure premises close to the motorway, allowing easy access. Shelter is provided for the less durable items such as stained glass leaded light panels, church pews and panelling. Fareham Reds and Beaulieu Whites are the bricks most commonly required, although a certain number of blue brick bats are kept for restoring 18th century diaper pattern brickwork. Blue brick paviors of various patterns are kept in stock. There is a large turnover in slates; these come in every size from 16" x 8" up to giants 4'0" long in a variety of shades of blue-black. Clay roofing tiles are in regular demand and the Council has built up a big stock of decorative ridge tiles to suit most roof pitches, as well as decorative finials and cimney pots including the locally well-known Fareham pots .. It is rare that the Council cannot find the timbers it needs from its vast stock. Large bulk timbers of greenheart and oak are used regularly, with softwood members ranging from boarding to scantlings. Portland and Purbeck stone pavings are kept, together with other items of local stone; these include copings, window dressings, door arches, gravestones and staddle stones, as well as stone in rubble form. Knapped flints are always in demand. Annual turnover is approximately £18,000. The Council funded the scheme initially, but as the stock has built up it is becoming independent and it is hoped to operate on a revolving fund basis. Materials are charged at economic rates to each contract, by means of a debiting transaction carried out in the office. A simple booking in and out system is maintained at Fort Nelson; a simple card index, centrally held, allows any Council architect to check what is in the compound. The stock is checked - amd books balancedtwice a year. Each time the Council purchases a property with a view to demolition, it is surveyed for its potential as materials salvage and the appropriate Page 15 ----------

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