Northern Ireland Branch E-Newsletter
May 2008
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation is the professional body for those working in the conservation
of the historic environment. The Institute exists to establish the highest standards of conservation practice, to
support the protection and enhancement of the historic environment and to promote heritage-led regeneration.
All Members of the Institute must act for and promote the protection of the built heritage.
Letter from the NI Branch Representative on IHBC Council
Dear Member
This is the first edition of an E-Newsletter for the Northern Ireland Branch of the Institute of Historic Building
Conservation. It is a pilot to obtain
your
views or comments on how it should develop. For example, I could highlight
the key issues emerging from the IHBC Council and Policy Committee Meetings. There could be features on Branch
Committee Members/Members, a legal update of appeals and other cases, book reviews. What would you find most
useful? Please send any suggestions to me at
northernireland@ihbc.org.uk
.
The Built Heritage of Northern Ireland is distinctive, special and irreplaceable. I consider it is critical to secure common
purpose amongst those committed to heritage in the Province - to
work together
to secure the conservation and
enhancement of our special historic places. This must be carried out in partnership with, and with the engagement of,
local communities and their elected representatives. This way the built heritage sector will be more effective in
conserving the Province’s heritage whilst achieving wider social (health and quality of life), regeneration, economic,
sustainability, educational and cultural objectives. The IHBC is keen to work with others to achieve this.
Sharon Brown
IHBC Meeting with Arlene Foster, MLA, Minister of the Environment
From left to right: Dr Sean O’Reilly (IHBC Director), Shelia
Stones (IHBC Vice-Chair), Arlene Foster MLA (Minister for the
Environment), Nick Brown (Branch Chair), Sharon Brown (NI
Branch Representative)
National and local IHBC representatives met with Arlene Foster
MLA, Minister of the Environment. (Arlene Foster was recently
awarded the Women in Public Life Awards 2008 - Devolved
Assembly Member of the Year.) The meeting with the Minister and
the IHBC was also attended by Michael Coulter (EHS) and Geoff
Sloan (Planning Service). The purpose of the meeting was to
highlight key heritage issues at a pivotal point in the future of
Northern Ireland’s heritage, including:
•
Championing conservation through Ministerial led group/body.
•
Support for the creation of ‘Conservation Officers’ in Planning
Service and reinforcing the need for dedicated, qualified and
experienced conservation professionals.
•
Need for Enforcement (particularly against the unauthorised
demolition of listed buildings and unlisted buildings in
conservation areas).
•
Need for Conservation Area (CA) Management for example,
reconsideration of CA boundaries, the making of Article 4
Directions and implementation of enhancement schemes.
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