CELG(4) HIS 30
Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee
Inquiry into the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Policy
Response from Wrexham Area Civic Society
To Chair of
Committee,
Please accept these comments from the Wrexham Area Civic Society
(WACS) on the inquiry into Welsh Government's Historic
Environment Policy.
I have concentrated on the role and experience of the Civic Society
in the 'third sector'.
1. I became aware of this consultation not through an overarching
body that disseminates information to bodies in the third sector
throughout Wales, but through my professional institute branch
organisation. So my first point is that such an overarching body
should exist within Wales.
2. Wrexham Council has over the past couple of years carried out
reviews of almost all of the conservation areas in its area. WACS
has commented on all of the draft character appraisals, totalling
about 20, and most of its comments have been accepted as improving
the documents.
3. From these appraisals a number of common threads have emerged on
how this particular local authority fulfils its role in
implementing Assembly historic environment policy.
i. there is not a corporate approach to local authority works in
conservation areas,
ii. highways works in particular do not reflect the sensitive
nature of these areas,
iii. highway signage can be insensitive through its size
and design and duplication,
iv. fencing around council sites can be inappropriate,
v. inappropriate use of materials and repair techniques in
buildings and boundary walling,
vi. a reluctance to fully appraise the quality or otherwise, and
appropriateness of development that has taken place since the
designation of particular conservation areas,
4. WACS has also recently commented on other council consultation
documents relating to Buildings at Risk and Heritage
Strategies. From these documents it is clear that there is a
reluctance to fully confront the lamentable condition and lack of
repair of some listed buildings in council 'ownership'. There was
also a lack of appreciation of the need for regular condition
reviews of such buildings.
5. WACS has also found it necessary to copy comments on
consultation documents to key councillors because it found that its
comments were being 'edited' in committee reports
to Members.
This 'editing' resulted in some comments being omitted or
changed, altering their meaning. Matters have improved since a
letter of complaint was sent to officers.
6. WACS does however receive some support from the local
authority in its annual awards scheme to encourage and reward
good development in the borough. Council officers have
submitted examples of good development for consideration, and been
part of the judging panel, and the chair of the planning committee
has regularly been part of the award presentations.
7. The Society is also aware that some confusion
exists regarding the role of CADW; in relation to the
Assembly, the local authority decision making process, and the
public as land and property owners.
I hope these comments which draw on the experience of the Wrexham
Area Civic Society are of some use to the Committee in its
Inquiry.
Regards
Geoff Foy
Chairman of the Wrexham Area Civic Society
Chartered Town Planner
Member of the Institute of Historic Building
Conservation