REVIT Heritage Report.pdf

Torfaen County Borough Council
REVIT: A Review of the Conservation of Industrial Heritage Assets on Brownfield Sites
strategic overview to be involved in co-ordinating the phases of urban
regeneration that involve heritage.
5.4.4 The impact of individual projects can only be sustained if local authorities
operate the system of statutory heritage protection effectively and fairly,
including statutory consent, enforcement, repairs notices, compulsory
purchase orders and directions.
5.4.5 There is a delicate relationship between any regeneration funding and the
operation of the local property market. Initial investment may change
perceptions of an area which can then create a speculative property market
where properties are bought up and left empty in the hope of a rising market.
5.4.6 Archaeological sites, historic buildings and green spaces are often the key to
regeneration schemes: individually they can be centrepieces, landmarks, or
symbols of an area; collectively they can set a framework, a context, or an
architectural standard. However, whilst many heritage schemes have focused
very much on physical repairs to property it is important that there should be a
sustainable use for the property and that there should be strong community
involvement in the scheme.
5.4.7 High quality historic buildings actually set the architectural standards for
adjacent new developments. The very presence of historic buildings demands
sensitive and high quality architecture. Some of the most exciting and
stimulating urban areas derive their character from an inventive juxtaposition of
old and new.
5.4.8 The quality of conservation work will be an important element in the success of
any regeneration project. Well-conserved historic buildings, archaeological
sites and spaces can add value to a place; poor conservation can erode the
character and quality of an area just as easily as poor new design.
5.4.9 A recent English Heritage survey reported (English Heritage, 2003) that:
• a MORI poll for Heritage Counts 2003 revealed that 92% of people thought
it important to keep historic features when regenerating towns and cities
and 90% said heritage meant their local area as well as castles and stately
homes. 82% thought heritage could be fun;
• houses built before 1919 are worth, on average, some 20% more than an
equivalent house from a more recent era;
• a Victorian terraced house is cheaper to maintain over a 100-year period
than a 1980’s house;
• the total energy already used in the construction of a typical Victorian
terrace would power a car to go five times round the earth, or halfway to
the moon;
• a total of 130,000 new houses are built every year but only 20,000 new
homes each year result from conversions of existing stock;
• not all empty houses can be made habitable again. But there are 40,000
privately owned long-term vacant properties in London and 30,000 in the
South East – areas where there is a shortage of homes for key workers.
5.4.10 Their inhabitants often hold historic areas in great affection; they are very
much part of "the cherished local scene" and their maintenance and
improvement is the subject of great local pride. They contribute to social
engagement, even health and well-being. The repair of historic buildings,
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