The IHBC is delighted to welcome the Civic Voice’s Parliamentary ‘Big Conservation Conversation’ to take place on the afternoon of 7 March in Portcullis House, London, with Civic Voice vice-presidents Laura Sandys and Baroness Andrews as two of the confirmed panelists.
IHBC Vice Chair Kathy Davies said: ‘We’re delighted so see the Civic Voice take such a leading role in community-led conservation advocacy through its ‘Big Conservation Conversation’ initiative. We look forward to seeing this hard work make a real difference to the sector by raising the political profile of local conservation issues.’
‘This event is especially welcome as the work of Civic Voice is fully in line with the IHBC’s encouragement of communities to engage in managing their own historic environment through a better understanding and enjoyment of their surroundings.’
Civic Voice writes:
We are set to hold a panel debate in Parliament which will discuss the role conservation areas play in protecting local heritage….
The concept of conservation areas was introduced in England, Wales and Scotland by the Civic Amenities Act 1967 through a private members bill led by Lord Duncan Sandys, Civic Trust founder.
When conservation areas legislation was introduced there was widespread public concern over the pace of redevelopment in our historic towns and cities. Today there are over 10,000 conservation areas in the UK (approximately 9,300 in England, 500 in Wales, 650 in Scotland and 60 in Northern Ireland) reflecting the popularity of this legislative tool in identifying and protecting our most valued historic places.
50 years on from when the Civic Amenities Act 1967 was introduced, Civic Voice will be leading the Big Conservation Conversation to celebrate conservation areas and what they have done to protect and preserve the historic character of Britain’s cities, towns and villages.
As part of this campaign, Civic Voice and the APPG for Civic Societies will be holding a debate in parliament to discuss what lies ahead for conservation areas and the impact of cutting conservation officers across Britain has had on the historic environment.
Civic Voice vice-presidents, Laura Sandys and Baroness Andrews are two of our confirmed panelists. There will be more to follow in the coming weeks.
The event will take place at the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Westminster, form 2.15-3.45.
