English Heritage publish report to serve as framework for managing change in the historic environment
English Heritage have published a major document that sets out for the first time the fundamental propositions that serve as the foundation for the way the organisation engages with every aspect of the historic environment.
'Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance' is the result of four years of extensive debate and consultation within English Heritage and more than 1,000 external consultees. The recently launched Heritage Protection Bill will provide an improved legislative framework for managing change in historic environment in the 21st century; Conservation Principles will serve as its philosophical foundation.
One of the main sections is devoted to identifying and explaining the different values – aesthetic, evidential, communal and historical - that make historic places special to people. Six high level principles will be supported by a suite of detailed policies and guidance on how to reach decisions on a wide range of problems such as repair, new development, alteration and restoration.
'Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance' sets out six high level principles:
- -The historic environment is a shared resource
- -Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment
- -Understanding the significance of places is vital
- -Significant places should be managed to sustain their values
- -Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent
- -Documenting and learning from decisions is essential
