informed conservation, significance and conservation plans HSEd Jules Brown North of England Civic Trust why do we do conservation? managing change conservation is about significance degree of change is based on burra charter Places of cultural significance enrich peoples lives, often providing a deep and inspirational sense of connection to community and landscape, to the past and to lived experiences must be conserved for present and future generations a technique for understanding historic buildings and landscapes, and for applying that understanding to conservation and management the need for a proper understanding of a heritage asset and why it is important before deciding to manage or change it informed conservation 4 themes involvement understanding significance risk, vulnerability policy use monitor and review + what have we got? why is it important? whats its problem? what shall we do about it? standards heritage lottery fund conservation management planning how to apply further resources conservation managemt planning standards dclg / english heritage pps5 practice guide -heritage.org.uk professional advice govt planning policy pps practice guide standards english heritage consv. principles -heritage.org.uk professional advice conservation principles conservation (management) plans conservation plan a tool to be used a starting point comprehensive strategic analytical participatory synthetic clarity from complexity a document which attempts to understand a site, sets out its significance, and explains how that significance will be retained in any future use, repair, alterations, development or management complex site, management conflicting significance lack of understanding everywhere? where when wwhat do we want?! understanding! wwhen do we want it?! early on, and certainly well before a decision is made, at whatever level, to intervene physically in the heritage asset or in the management regime which controls it, actually. who usually a team range of info range of skills overall editorial lead independent? consultation participation statements smaller quicker outline consv plan done in house have been done by some for many years as standard practice thought process understanding understanding desk based research on site research analyse it present it understanding is the bedrock of conservation; without understanding conservation is blind and meaningless elements history / chronology designations / policy context ownership / management stakeholders gaps written descriptions lists photographs diagrams / plans / maps understanding significance significance why is it significant? who is it significant to? statement of significance matrices, diagrams should influence every decision that is made about its future, from everyday management to planning new projects show your working: evidential historical aesthetic communal presentation: archeological architectural artistic historic significance low, medium, high none, marginal, some, considerable, exceptional local, regional, national, international significance risk risk, vulnerability whats going on? why? long term, critical, independent conflicts opportunities if you understand how special qualities might be at risk, you are in a better position to manage them and plan for the future physical condition previous alterations setting ownership / control management use development access policy context funding stakeholder expectations etc... policy policy clear set of policies implementable, adoptable conservation management help make sure you do a good job and show youre committed to caring for the heritage asset to the highest possible standards principles routine maintenance periodic renewal repair restoration alteration new work accessibility, sustainability, biodiversity designation research access (physical, intellectual) decision-making stakeholders, community ownership policy use it! gazetteer