ConservationWorks UK Ltd

taking the past into the future

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September's letter from the coalface...... 
 
Below: perched on the ledge at Nelson's column, October 2008.
This has recently been given a complete clean, repair and overhaul
by DBR Stonemasons Ltd.
 Conservation is not always the easiest of career choices.
 
I haven't got time to enlarge on this theme this month, but I promise to in October... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Options Appraisals

 

In the hospitality sector, the trade media reveals that about 30 pubs a week are closing.

  

The Statutory List shows 8931 listed pub buildings, meaning that approximately 9 in every 500 listed buildings are pubs. Many pubs are in conservation areas while others are 'locally listed'. Local Listing has no statutory force but does mean that the planners still treat applications relating to them as though they were listed buildings. Let us say that this bumps the number of 'historic'  (protected) pub buildings to 12000.

 

The best use for any historic building is that for which it was originally intended. Consequently, and given our committment to CAMRA, we will try to ensure that pubs remain as pubs. But even CAMRA confesses that there are areas which are 'over-pubbed' and consequenty they do not always object to the loss of those of modest architectural merit.

 

Redundant pubs make good offices, homes and can be divided reasonably successfully - depending on their planform- into apartments. They can also get a second lease of life as bed and breakfast accommodation, travel hostels or even - perish the thought - restaurants and boutique hotels.

 

An early options appraisal can identify new uses early on, leading to a quicker sale and a more realisitic valuation for both disposer and acquirer.

 

also see: Licensed Leisure page.

 

Ring us to see how we can help.

 Mothballing 

 Previous economic downturns have not been kind to the historic environment.

 

With falling returns from property development, fewer sources of funding from the third sector, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, many historic buildings will find themselves on the At Risk registers of English Heritage, SAVE Britain's Heritage and their Local Authorities.

 

Mothballing historically significant buildings successfully is both an art and a science.

 

ConservationWorks has a structured methodology to help our clients take appropriate steps for the medium to long-term 'archiving' of their buildings while an appropriate new use or suitable buyer or lessee is being sought.

 

This is constantly evolving, and we are actively canvassing English Heritage, SPAB and LPA Conservation Officers for their views and experience of the mothballing process, with a view to producing a Best Practice Guidance Note. This will be available from the Downloads page when complete. 

 

 

Please get in touch to discuss your needs.