The IHBC has welcomed the success of one full member in raising their public profile, as IHBC member Rob Scourfield, Building Conservation Officer at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, has used the Park website to introduce himself to his community and clients.
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘Having such a personal introduction on the website helps break down barriers, as locals and businesses can once again get to know their Conservation Officer – or even discover that they do not have one!’
‘This is just the kind of customer-focussed approach to services that authorities in England may well benefit from developing, as the impact of the Penfold Review, Localism and the tight policy focus of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) promote more accessible, localised and personalised services.’
Rob Scourfield introduces himself as follows:
Hello! I’m Rob Scourfield, your Building Conservation Officer. It’s me you’ll talk to if you own or manage a historic building and would like advice. I also give advice to various organisations such as Community and Town Councils, the Ministry of Defence and the National Trust.?
I’ve been with the National Park since 1995 apart from a short break as Inspector of Historic Buildings for Cadw. I work in the projects team, which not only concentrates on conserving buildings, but builds new ones too, including Oriel y Parc, our Landscape Gallery and Visitor Centre. We also look after the land and buildings owned and managed by the Authority.
We have 14 Conservation Areas, which include towns and villages of architectural and historic interest, plus one city, St Davids. These all have their own special character, my favourite being Caerfarchell, a little village full of unspoilt vernacular buildings. However there’s also the magical St Davids, the seaside splendour of Tenby and the medieval town of Newport. Absolutely spoilt for choice! I’d also have to mention Carew Castle and Tidal Mill as all its machinery was made by my great great great grandfather, George Scourfield, the village carpenter and wheelwright. I now have the proud task of being associated with its repair and conservation!
It’s all too easy to extol the virtues of our historic buildings and forget about their owners and occupiers, who are their real guardians. I am a firm advocate of early consultation and am always happy to meet before any application. This generally makes the process easier and quicker and over the years I’ve got to know many owners of historic buildings, as well as local architects and agents.
Buildings and history have always formed part of my life. On my mother’s side, generations of ancestors were builders and masons in Tenby, responsible for many Georgian and Victorian buildings in and around the town. The Scourfields themselves are among the older families in the county; their history as well as local history in general has always fascinated me. These deep roots are important to me and are inextricably linked to my job.
In my spare time, when the Pembrokeshire rain drives me in from my garden, I write books. I have co-written two ‘Pevsner’ guides to Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire/ Ceredigion and am now revising the Powys volume. Closer to home, I have co-written ‘Down the Quay’, a history of Cresswell Quay, my home village. The South Pembrokeshire dialect – warts and all – is of great interest to me, the subject of ‘Below the Landsker’, a hopelessly non-academic book written by myself and Keith Johnson, editor of ‘Pembrokeshire Life’.
So that’s me. Don’t hesitate to email or phone with any queries about building conservation!
On the need for conservation officers, see the IHBC NewsBlog at: LINK
To explain why local authorities need conservation officers see: LINK
On knowing your conservation officer, see the IHBC NewsBlog at: LINK
