News
Audit Office reports on 'Safeguarding Listed Buildings'
The report recognizes that ‘high quality survey work is fundamental to ensuring ongoing protection of historic assets’ but criticises the fact that it is 'signifcantly behind schedule'. The second survey of historic buildings (the first began in the 1970s) has indeed been slow but more alarming is the fact that it has led to the de-listing of 485 buldings as a result. We agree the survey should gain momentum but the de-listing must stop. The second survey is picking up structures of special interest missed out the first time round – in particular vernacular buildings. But not only is the NIEA not speeding up this vital work, instead it proposes axing the survey altogether.
We also welcome the identified need to agree procedures between NIEA and Planning Service to allow Urgent Works Notices and Repairs Notices to be served, targeting the most problematic buildings at risk. Only one Repairs Notice has been served to date – at Sion Mills stable block.
The report remarked on the need to 'target grant aid at the most vulnerable buildings'. There are dangers inherent in this approach, which could be interpreted as rewarding neglect. Equal access to historic building grant seems fair when listed buildings of all grades are protected by the same legislation and policy.
No doubt the identified weaknesses in performance measures could be improved (particularly in relation to skills training) but it is clear that the grant represents a critical shot in the arm for the much beleaguered construction industry, keeps threatened traditional building skills alive, and in turn our special buildings standing in the hearts of our communities. The report does highlight the valuable impact of the listed building grant and its leverage - £1 generates £4.7 from other sources. No wonder the French and Norwegian governments have bolstered historic building grants as part of their crisis packages.
See the full NIAO Report here.