MPs discuss the future of the historic environment

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Civic Societies will today host a meeting in Parliament to consider how communities can play a greater role in protecting our heritage.

Peabody’s replacement block of flats in Underwood Road: soul-less, very standard – and taking up a good chunk of the pavement.

Tower Hamlets has a great deal of multi-cultural heritage – but not such a good record at protecting it. Planning laws have done little to preserve our memorable and unique buildings. Peabody Housing Association demolished the last remaining Jewish Maternity Hospital (which could have been converted into a high standard home for rent) and replaced it with an ugly, bog-standard block of flats (most of which were for sale). The new social housing development at Blackwall Reach (the former Robin Hood Gardens estate and surrounding properties) has seen the unique Woolmore School demolished. Gas holders are threatened elsewhere in the Borough.

The former Mayor Lutfur Rahman took one stand against this cultural vandalism by working with a range of faith groups to protect buildings used for worship in the borough. Many congregations were delighted to be awarded grants to help them preserve buildings. Little has been heard of this programme since John “two jobs” Biggs took over.

The House of Commons meeting will be addressed by Civic Voice President Griff Rhys Jones and Civic Voice’s lead in the House of Lords, Baroness Andrews. Both MPs and members of the public will have a chance to put forward their ideas on how communities can manage the increasing need to protect the nation’s heritage. Representatives from Historic England, Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation and Heritage Lottery Fund will also be present.

Craig Mackinlay MP, Chair of the APPG for Civic Societies, has identified lack of money as a major hurdle in the way of protecting the heritage environment. He said, “With local and national budgets remaining tight it is an issue many of us are concerned about.”

Ian Harvey, Director of Civic Voice, stressed the role that local volunteers can play. He said, “Many important historic buildings, given the current challenging climate, would be seriously threatened without the dedication and hard work of heritage volunteers.”

However, if the APPG is to tackle all the problems in the way of protecting the heritage environment, it will have to move on to tackle the leeway given to developers under planning law which encourages them to destroy anything that stands in the way of maximising their profits.