The IHBC has submitted its response on the consultation draft from Historic England (HE) concerning ‘Guidance on dealing with contested heritage’, highlighting that it ‘is in the nature of almost all heritage that it holds different values to different people’, so ‘HE should consider reframing this document, making ‘Contested Heritage’ part of a bigger conservation picture particularly in terms of presentation and interpretation of monuments and sites.’
The IHBC writes:
‘An important distinction could usefully be made within this draft guidance between the significance of the physical structure or object, which is being considered for designation, and the importance of well informed and balanced interpretation and presentation of that structure or object. We suggest that… the key is in the interpretation, rather than in the designation or management of the asset itself…. To that end… HE should consider reframing this document making ‘Contested Heritage’ part of a bigger conservation picture particularly in terms of presentation and interpretation of monuments and sites.’
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Download the full text of the IHBC response
