The Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE) has announced the latest issue of the CARE guidance for engineers when assessing heritage assets that are proposed to be demolished or partially demolished in the United Kingdon and Ireland.
Jon Avent, on behalf of CARE, said: ‘The document is freely available at care-guidance-for-engineers-when-assessing-heritage-assets.pdf.’
‘It is an essential reference for engineers and other professionals when assessing heritages assets where loss of historic fabric may be being considered.’
CARE writes:
… The historic environment forms part of our cultural heritage and informs our sense of identity. It is an irreplaceable, finite resource which should be sustained for the benefit of present and future generations. Heritage assets are a?orded either legal protection or require consideration, under planning policy. This note is intended to provide clear guidance for Engineers being requested to inspect and report on heritage assets which may on cursory inspection appear in poor condition.
Heritage assets include buildings and structures which are: Listed (UK) or Protected (Ireland); Monuments (Scheduled in Great Britain, Historic in Northern Ireland or National in Ireland); non – designated heritage assets (as determined by the Local Planning Authority); or situated in a Conservation Area. The terminology used subsequently applies in Great Britain; in other jurisdictions this may vary but the principles of how to treat / care for heritage assets are likely to be similar. Wherever in the world an Engineer is working they should comply with the local and appropriate jurisdiction.
If an Engineer is approached to provide a report on a heritage asset where a client or owner is pursuing partial, or full demolition then the Engineer needs to give very careful consideration to whether such demolition is justified. This is because a report produced by a Chartered Engineer may be relied on by the owner to demonstrate: demolition is urgently necessary; it is not practicable to secure safety or preservation by other means (e.g. repair or temporary support or shelter); and that the extent of demolition outlined in the Engineer’s report is the minimum immediately necessary. Demonstration of the preceding points provides a defence to unauthorised works to heritage assets, provided notice in writing justifying in detail the works is given to the Local Planning Authority (or government department) as soon as reasonably practicable. If this defence is later discredited, prosecution can be successfully brought by the responsible authority against someone who causes works to be executed for example the Engineer whose report led to the demolition – as well as an owner or contractor…..
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