CARE – The Conservation Accreditation Register of Engineers (CARE) – in partnership with ICE and IStructE has updated (Rev. Nov. 2025, issued 2026) its guidance for engineers assessing heritage assets that are proposed to be demolished or partially demolished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
The Institution of Structural Engineers writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Competency<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In line with the ICE\u2019s and IStructE Professional Codes of Conduct Engineers should \u2018Undertake only those tasks and accept only those appointments for which they are competent\u2019. In addition, they must act<\/p>\n\n\n\n
with integrity and fairness, have regard to the public interest, as well as due regard for the environment and for the sustainable management of natural resources; the latter includes the embodied carbon of existing buildings and structures. An Engineer requested to report in the above circumstances on a heritage asset should ensure they have appropriate experience and may find it helpful to explain to their client that they will need to act as an advocate for the building. The Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE), administered by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the register is published on the ICE\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accreditation demonstrates advanced attributes in conservation that exceed those required for professional membership. This approach is endorsed by The UK Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport. If not conservation accredited the Engineer would be expected to demonstrate competence with recent, relevant experience advising on comparable heritage assets including those in poor condition. An Engineer without appropriate conservation competence should decline the commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assessment<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following steps outline aspects that would be undertaken in a competent assessment\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This guidance note has been prepared by the Institution of Structural Engineers, The Institution of Civil Engineers and Engineers Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n See more on CARE<\/a> here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n