James Stevens

James is a Research and Policy Officer in the Technical Conservation Department at English Heritage. He is currently coordinating the development of a UK-wide strategy for research on the historic environment.

He is also editing English Heritage’s extensive advice series on changes to the Building Regulations. This will show how traditionally constructed buildings can be sympathetically adapted for energy efficiency.

James has recently completed a Masters in town planning at London South Bank University, where he researched the regressive effects of heritage conservation area policy.

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

e-mail: james.stevens@english-heritage.org.uk

9.40 to 11.00 on Friday 18 May 2007

Conserving privilege? - Conservation areas and social equity

Summary

The emphasis on encouraging development within the envelope of existing urban settlements, and constraint on land supply, means that the majority of development in the South East of England, for example, now takes place in people's back-gardens. Parallel to these developments, conservation area designations continue to rise across England.

Are conservation areas being used to safeguard more exclusive communities from the implications of "urban renaissance" policies?

Are they concentrating undesirable development in lower income areas?

If so, is this compatible with the equitable objectives of sustainable development policy?

Are the disadvantaged being expected to shoulder a disproportionate share of the consequences of environmentalist policies to safeguard the amenities of the affluent?

Conserving privilege? - Conservation areas and social equity

More to follow shortly...

What priorities do we want reflected in land use planning?

Has the notion of a distinct town and country become unsustainable?

Can planners reconcile government policies with where and how people actually want to live?

Is it justified to describe policies based on constraining building activity as "planning"?

Introduction

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