Best Practice

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

5.2.8 PRINCIPLE 6: CARRY OUT CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS CMP AND WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE. CMP This CMP is in compliance with national and international best practice at the time of publication in 2019 and should be used to manage change to Coventry Cathedral. The CMP sets out an understanding of the significance of the place, based on an assessment of historical development and consultation with stakeholders. It explains how these international, national and sitespecific values are applied to the Cathedral as a whole and to each individual component.

The methodology for assessing significance and impact should be used to inform proposals for development and alteration. Decisions should also be taken in line with the management policies that have been adopted by Chapter. The short-term actions associated with these policies should be carried out as a priority to sustain significance and function.

Approach to conservation and change in listed buildings in the UK The conservation-led approach to change in the UK is championed by Historic England and is enshrined in law and planning policy.

The Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act, 199053 and the Care of Cathedrals Measure, 201154 represent the legislative framework within with appropriate decisions should be made. At a national policy level, the National Planning Policy Framework, 201955 sets out government policy relating to the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment and how this is expected to be applied.

53 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/9/contents 54 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukcm/2011/1/enacted 55 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policyframework--2 At a guidance level, Church Building Council56 and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission57 offer guidance specific to significant Church of England buildings. Historic England set out how to approach conservation in their 2008 publication Conservation Principles58 and offer an advice note on dealing with the setting of heritage assets, 2015.59 The government’s Planning Practice Guidance60 also advises on the historic environment.

The approach to conservation in the UK can be summed up under Historic England’s six Conservation Principles:

• Principle 1: The historic environment is a shared resource.

• Principle 2: Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment.

• Principle 3: Understanding the significance of places is vital.

• Principle 4: Significant places should be managed to sustain their values.

• Principle 5: Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent.

• Principle 6: Documenting and learning from decisions is essential.

56 https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/churchcare 57 https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/churchcare/ cathedrals-fabric-commission 58 https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/conservationprinciples-sustainable-management-historic-environment/ 59 https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/gpa3-setting-ofheritage-assets/ 60 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/conserving-and-enhancing-the-historicenvironment The approach taken within the CMP aligns with the guidance set out in Conservation Principles, including the approach to assessing significance and impact.

Approach to the conservation and management of Post-War buildings internationally The international approach to significant Post-War buildings is led by the ICOMOS International Committee on 20th Century Heritage, with the publication of the Madrid – New Delhi Document: Approaches to the Conservation of Twentieth-Century Cultural Heritage, 2017.61 The work of the Getty Foundation as part of their Keeping it Modern grant initiative is equally valuable in better understanding the architectural conservation of these important places.62 The Getty Foundation have supported more than 64 grant projects, including Coventry Cathedral.

61 http://www.icomos-isc20c.org/madrid-document/ 62 https://www.getty.edu/foundation/initiatives/current/keeping_it_modern/

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

The ICOMOS approach to 20th century buildings is set out in 11 articles:

Article 1: Identify and assess cultural significance.

Article 2: Apply appropriate conservation planning and management methodology.

Article 3: Research the technical and planning aspects of 20thcentury cultural heritage.

Article 4: Develop policies to conserve significance.

Article 5: Acknowledge and manage pressures for change, which are constant.

Article 6: Manage change sensitively.

Article 7: Ensure a respectful approach to additions and interventions.

Article 8: Recognise when use contributes to significance and manage accordingly.

Article 9: Respect the authenticity and integrity of the place or site.

Article 10: Give consideration to environmental sustainability.

Article 11: Promote and celebrate twentieth-century cultural heritage with the wider community. The importance of developing a conservation management strategy for the Cathedral that is site-specific, but grounded in best practice cannot be overstated. Post-War buildings should be cared for within existing frameworks of conservation best practice; however, it must be acknowledged that there are some differences between these modern buildings and those constructed in traditional materials and methods that require a somewhat modified approach.

The obvious differences between traditional and modern buildings are those relating to building technology, construction methods and materials, resulting in the need for a different set of repair techniques. Modern materials do not age in the same way as traditional building techniques and earlier obsolescence of, often innovative materials and services, is more common in Post-War buildings. Despite the relatively short life-spans to date, very few Post-War buildings have survived in their original form with no alteration.

While modern materials may hold lesser significance than ancient fabric for the layers of history they have built-up, they hold value for other reasons, particularly the vision of the original architect technological value, their use by key artists of the time, and as part of the aesthetic ensemble they create as part of the wider whole.

It is hoped that the conservation framework for Coventry Cathedral will add to the wider international discourse on caring for 20th century buildings around the world. Compliance with policy and guidance Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011: Chapter must seek and obtain approval before implementing any works that would materially affect the architectural, archaeological, artistic or historic character of the Cathedral church, its immediate setting or any archaeological remains.

NPPF paragraph 184: Heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource, and should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations.

Historic England Conservation Principle 1: The historic environment is a shared resource

Principle 5: Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent

ICOMOS, Approaches to the conservation of 20th century cultural heritage 2017: Article 2: Apply appropriate conservation planning and management methodology.

Article 11: Promote and celebrate twentieth-century cultural heritage with the wider community.

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

MANAGING FUTURE CHANGE POLICIES

POLICY 01: The informed management of change at Coventry Cathedral will be underpinned by the conservation planning process.

POLICY 02: Change will be grounded in a clear understanding of significance and the impact of change, both negative and positive, on this.

POLICY 03: Any harm to significance will be balanced against the clear and convincing justification of its environmental, social, cultural, missional and economic benefits. PRIORITY ACTIONS

Action Priority level Owner

Follow the ‘assessment of impact’ process in this Conservation Plan as part of the current development project A FAC

Use the ‘assessment of impact’ process as a starting point for discussions on the conservation of the tapestry and the repair approach to the Chapel of Industry and Christ the Servant. B FAC

Test the initial recommendations in A Different View (August 2019) for viability A Chapter

Priority levels: A – within 6 months, B – within 1 year, C – within 2 years