5.3.3 Design Vision

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

5.3.3 DESIGN VISION

See also:

5.3.4 Ruined cathedral

5.3.5 New cathedral

5.3.7 Restoration and new works HERITAGE CONSIDERATIONS

There are several different strands for the original and on-going design vision of Coventry Cathedral that must be considered when seeking to manage change appropriately:

• The Cathedral’s unique purpose as an active centre of worship, welcome and prayer.

• The Cathedral’s vision of reconciliation and the building’s embodiment of this.

• Spence’s original vision (see Section 1.4.1).

o The Spence Route (see Section 6.3), including the connection between the ruin and the west door to the

New Cathedral under the Porch.

o The Cathedral’s Precinct, immediate setting and the landscaping (see Section 3.4).

These aspects of the vision for Coventry Cathedral are embodied in the site-specific values that make the place significant: (see Section 4.3).

Any proposal for management or future change should consider the relative contribution of each primary attribute to significance and decide the degree to which the proposal will affect it. By better understanding the design vision and attributes of the Cathedral, informed decisions about the solutions to specific problems or the requirement for change can be made.

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

VULNERABILITIES AND CONFLICTS

Coventry Cathedral’s uniqueness lies in the design vision that unified the ruined and new Cathedrals to create a symbol of hope, redemption and reconciliation. This design intent remains clearly visible and intact. The symbolism inherent in the design vision is vulnerable to insensitive changes (including small additions or minor repairs) that are made without considering their potential for cumulative or unintended detrimental impacts. The lack of interpretation about the relationship between the ruined and new cathedrals also hinders the understanding of the Cathedral’s symbolism and its conception as a single entity.

The setting, views and vistas from and to the Cathedral are vulnerable to large scale developments in the City Centre and surroundings.

Coventry Cathedral is vulnerable to ad hoc and insensitive change that may be carried out without due consideration of its impact. Agreement and adoption of a clear set of site-specific values that contribute to significance will frame these decisions in a way that will help avoid this in the future and inform opportunties to rectify earlier insensitive changes.

Where there is conflict between a number of different site-specific values, an assessment of the relative levels of significance should be made using the management gazetteer and methodology in this Conservation Plan. • The Coventry Cathedral Conservation Plan

• National policy and guidance such as the NPPF and Historic

England Conservation Principles

• International best practice such as the ICOMOS Madrid-New

Delhi document for 20th century buildings

POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE

Coventry Cathedral is still a place of worship and a symbol of reconciliation both locally and internationally. The Cathedral will need to continue evolving to meet the changing needs of its users. There is great potential for change at the Cathedral, providing this is set within an understanding of the design vision and the frameworks of best conservation practice set out in:

MANAGEMENT POLICIES

POLICY 04: Seek to promote, record, preserve and realise key views of Spence’s original vision as part of an agreed management strategy.

POLICY 05: Before proposing change, first seek to understand the primary attributes and design vision of Coventry Cathedral as detailed in this Conservation Plan.

POLICY 06: Requirements and proposals for change must respect, conserve or enhance the design vision and primary attributes of Coventry Cathedral.

POLICY 07: The unique design intent of the new cathedral as a fusion of traditional and modern materials, form, architecture, space and functions should be respected and an appreciation of it enhanced wherever possible. PRIORITY ACTIONS

Action

Sign off and adopt the attributes, policies and toolkits set out within this Conservation Plan

Seek agreement on the content of this Conservation Plan from statutory and other consultees Priority level Owner

A Chapter, FAC

A Historic England, CFCE, Coventry City Council, C20 Society

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