Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance - English Heritage

ENGLISH HERITAGE CONSERVATION POLICIES AND GUIDANCE
143 There are no simple rules for achieving quality of design in new work, although
a clear and coherent relationship of all the parts to the whole, as well as to the
setting into which the new work is introduced, is essential. This neither implies
nor precludes working in traditional or new ways, but will normally involve
respecting the values established through an assessment of the significance
of the place.
144 Quality is enduring, even though taste and fashion may change. The eye
appreciates the aesthetic qualities of a place such as its scale, composition,
silhouette, and proportions, and tells us whether the intervention fits
comfortably in its context. Achieving quality always depends on the skill
of the designer. The choice of appropriate materials, and the craftsmanship
applied to their use, is particularly crucial to both durability and to maintaining
the specific character of places.
‘The long-term consequences of the proposals can, from experience, be
demonstrated to be benign, or the proposals are designed not to prejudice
alternative solutions in the future’
145 New work frequently involves some intervention in the existing fabric
of a place, which can be necessary to keep it in or bring it back into use.
A ‘presumption in favour of preservation’ (doing no harm), even preservation
of evidential value, does not equate to a presumption against any intervention
into, or removal of, existing fabric; but such interventions require justification in
terms of impacts on heritage values.
146 There are limits, however, beyond which loss of inherited fabric compromises
the authenticity and integrity of a place. At the extreme, a proposal to
retain no more than the façade of an historic building attached to a modern
structure must be considered in the light of an assessment of the existing
values of the building, both as a whole and in its elements. The relationship
between the façade and the existing and proposed structures behind will
be crucial to the decision, but retaining the façade alone will not normally
be acceptable.
147 Changes designed to lessen the risk or consequences of disaster to a significant
place require a balance to be struck between the possibility of major harm to
heritage values without them, and the certainty of the lesser, but often material,
harm caused by the works themselves. The need for physical precautions
should be considered as part of disaster response and recovery planning for
the place as a whole, based on risk assessment and management requirements,
and any statutory duties. All options should be evaluated, including improved
management as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, lower levels of
physical intervention.
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