English Heritage calls on councils to exercise “responsible stewardship” of historic buildings despite budget cuts

English Heritage has warned that the disposal of historic properties by local authorities in response to budget cuts is one of the biggest challenges to its campaign to preserve heritage buildings.

The body says that almost a quarter (24%) of heritage buildings on the 'at risk' register are owned by public authorities  and called on the to exercise “responsible stewardship” of them by planning ahead for redundancy and disposal, considering interim uses, and preparing planning briefs to highlight both the opportunities as well as the constraints of retaining and refurbishing historic properties.

It also called on councils to make better use of their statutory powers to prevent privately-owned listed buildings falling into disrepair, saying that they often “mistakenly” believed that this would produce too much red tape, or the procedures would be too costly.

English Heritage also appealed to councils not to slash the number of conservation officers they employ.

The heritage body's plea came as it published a new book Saving London - 20 Years of Heritage at Risk in the Capital – ahead of the 20th anniversary of the introduction of its first 'at risk' register of listed buildings in January, which it said had contributed to the preservation of more than 2000 listed buildings.

Philip Davies, English Heritage Territory Director for the South Region said: "We understand that local authorities are under huge pressure to slash spending. Resources for heritage and the built environment might be identified as easy targets - but short term financial considerations should not cause long term damage.  We encourage local authorities to look at the success achieved over the past 20 years, the community benefit of investing in our heritage and to think before they cut Conservation officer posts and funding.

"As champions of these benefits, conservation officers have a crucial role to play in helping to achieve the government's new agenda of localism.  Without them far less local heritage will be rescued and removed from the Register.  Heritage provides not only a sense of place and continuity; it acts as a focus for social cohesion and offers a sense of identity as well as a catalyst for regeneration and good new design.  Heritage is core - not a luxury."