Engl Heritage Conserv Bull 21

Describes the establishment of a facility for training in the repair and conservation of historic buildings and monuments at Fort Brockhurst, near Gosport (see also 94/148, 94/881, 94/939, 94/1007). The five-year build-up to the project is recounted, beginning with an EH survey which highlighted declining numbers of skilled trade workers. To arrest this decline, an indoor training centre with full-size masonry facsimiles was built at a cost of £250,000. The history of the Fort, itself a the nineteenth-century historic building, is briefly described, before its conversion into training centre is discussed. Concludes by outlining the aims of the teaching strategy and gives an address for further information.

With reference to legal precedent, the article attempts to clarify the meaning of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, regarding the extent to which the listing of a particular property covers a building, its associated structures and other articles. The apparent ambiguity in the application of the law to machinery is examined, and the distinction between `fixtures' and `fittings' explored. The powers of local authorities, or the Secretary of State, in considering applications for listed building consent are summarised, with reference to DoE Circular 8/87 and the draft PPG 15, and the criteria affecting these judgements are indicated. There is also a short note on the connection between listing and inheritance tax regulations. Finally, after detailing the circumstances in which a criminal offence is deemed to have been committed, the sanctions which may be imposed are described.

The Archaeological wood survey (Ancient Monuments Lab Rep, 62/89, 1988/9) identified as a problem the examination and conservation of a considerable body of waterlogged structural timbers from archaeological sites. This was followed by Waterlogged wood: guidelines on the sampling, conservation and curation of structural wood (English Heritage, 1990), which laid down the standards to which this work should be done. EH, in collaboration with York Archaeological Trust, have therefore established the YAWC to provide the required facilities.

Discusses the methodology and gives the results of a pilot study intended to assess English Heritage's performance in listed building casework. The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire, circulated to English Heritage staff and five local authorities (Cambridge, Liverpool, North Wiltshire, York, and Torridge). It is reported that subsequent discussions confirmed that the system was generally working satisfactorily and that the pilot study was a useful tool which could be further applied.

Considers the historical and administrative separation of ecological and archaeological conservation. The new Countryside Commission/English Heritage/English Nature guidelines Conservation issues in strategic plans (1993) are seen as an example of how the different aspects may be harmonised. The salient points of the guidelines are discussed, notably the emphasis on sustainable development.

Discusses the recommendations of the Bailey Report (Department of National Heritage, Fire protection measures for the royal palaces, HMSO, 1993). English Heritage's fire protection measures are assessed in respect of the recommendations and found to be well advanced. It is also observed that EH is the only body carrying out a comprehensive research in this area and a number of forthcoming reports are noted.

An account of recent meetings between English Heritage and English Nature, noting agreement on several issues of joint interest.