How do you know if want you do makes a difference? Is it quantifiable or demonstrable?
I spent over seven years working at a district council trying to educate owners, planners and others about historic traditionally built buildings. I shared with them how traditional methods and materials functioned, how they did not play well with modern methods, how the history and evolution of buildings was a fascinating and exciting thing to try and understand.
However, I would still see authorised works being undertaken, inappropriate materials and methods being used or proposals that failed to respect the historic building and its setting and context.
I also worked on buildings at risk, trying to convince owners to address the needs of their properties. I tried to instil in them that they are guardians of the past and that owning a piece of history was a rare privilege. That in fact it would be cheaper to address the problems with the building sooner rather than later. I shared with them that simple problems can lead to greater issues, including SPAB’s principles on maintenance.
However, I would still see buildings that were not well looked after, not cared for, forgotten and left to die and rot.
I then spent five years working for a local charity speaking on behalf of the residents as an independent watchdog against development and proposals that could result in disproportionate harm to the area, loss of amenity and green space, impact to the setting and character of buildings.
I researched and investigated proposals, legislation, worked with residents and other groups, spoke on their behalf at planning committee meetings, all to try and formulate a strong case that the council and developers would not only take seriously, but would make them question their proposals and rethink less harmful alternatives.
However, despite significant arguments that carried weight, proposals were still approved anyway. Responses that I had put my heart and soul in were still granted consent. This was not nimby-ism, these were well considered responses discussing significance and harm based in policy and legislation.
So how do you validate that what you do actually makes a difference? Can I quantify that my work had an impact and made people reconsider their proposals or plans? I do know that on at least a few occasions it did- as I was told by planning officers or architects that my responses made them look at something differently, that my points had merit and were integrated into the scheme.
Sometimes it feels like a constant battle? That no matter how hard you try to put forward a strong case, the proposal gets consent.
Perhaps it is apathy that there are so many historic buildings that the loss or destruction or one or two makes little difference. This is one the reasons I set myself apart my many conservation professionals, because I am not originally from Britain. I moved here in 2003 to become a part of the rich and varied history that exists. The United States has very little remaining of their historic built environment (especially in the south) and that which does remain is only a fraction of the age of what Britain has.
I do not wish to come across negative, as I prefer to work with owners and give them the information and tools they might need to help them with their buildings. However, sometimes it does feel like you are always running uphill. Historic Building Conservation does not come with a manual, a play book with what is right and what is wrong. There are fundamental principles and criteria of course, but there is a lot of grey and typically more questions than answers.
Even scrolling through articles on LinkedIn I see proposals being granted consent with people offering congratulations, whilst I look at the drawings and images thinking is that the least harmful way to achieve the goal? How is that extension subservient to the historic building? Does the tail not wag the dog in this case? The design is neither fish nor fowl. It is all rather subjective.
I have always been in awe of the built environment here- whether it is a 600 year old house with original wall paintings or a hall house with its original wings- I vowed to speak on behalf of the buildings I worked with. I am very passionate about this and it can be difficult not to take what happens to these buildings personally.
I had the opportunity to be involved with the prosecution of an owner of a listed building for significant unauthorised works that would forever change the character of the building, including loss and damage to the historic fabric. Whilst the damage was irreversible and devastating to the building, the successful prosecution was a result for the council and demonstrated that we were serious about our listed buildings.
Another example- I met with one owner at their property just after they purchased it. They loved the listed building, but started asking about making significant alterations to the historic fabric. Concerned, I asked them what made them fall in love with the house in the first place. It was the same charm and character that they were talking about changing. They did not understand that traditionally built buildings were not perfect, not square walled or flat floored, the bricks were dusty and the timbers were scratchy. I would often use my design and space planning skills to help owners look at alternatives that could possibly retain more original historic fabric or create an easier route through the property.
What are the expectations of owners these days and is it based upon what they see on the television and in magazines? Open plan living and dining spaces, large kitchens, high ceilings, perfect walls, ceilings and floors, clean and nice. How do you manage people’s expectations? Yes, you can sometimes have both, but it is a case by case basis for sure.
So, how do you know if what you are passionate about and have dedicated your life in pursuing is actually making a difference? I can only hope that some of the many people I have met and worked with have benefited from my knowledge and experience. That through my discussions I have helped people understand that the building has been around for many years before them and will hopefully be around for many years after them, therefore their needs may be subsequent to the buildings.
But then again, a person’s home is their castle, and who am I to tell them what to do……
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