The IHBC regularly responds to consultations from governmental and other bodies, to ensure that historic building conservation is given appropriate consideration within decision making processes, with the latest consultation concerning the Church Building Review Group, following the Church of England consultation on management proposals for some 16,000 church buildings.
The IHBC response included:
- Welcome for the report its recognition of the importance of church buildings at the heart of community life and for their considerable significant cultural, historical, archaeological, artistic and social value
- Agreement with the Report’s conclusion that church buildings’ rapidly declining use for worship in many places, particularly rural areas, and changing practice in others, has left the Church with some very serious challenges
- Conversion to appropriate and sympathetic alternative uses can be, and in the past has sometimes been, carried out very well
- Asking that the Church, in its decision-making processes in future uses for its buildings adheres to, and requires its successors to, sound conservation practice in the assessment of heritage significance and minimization and mitigation of the adverse impacts of alterations to historic fabric and their settings.
The IHBC Consultant Consultations Co-ordinator is James Caird, who is responsible for consolidating opinions from across the broad range of specialist interests and disciplines represented on our volunteer Consultation Panel. The IHBC cannot comment on all consultations, but is always glad to hear opinions from both members and non-members.
More information on the Church Building Review Group
Consultations, current and complete, are posted on the website
