01 SPRING 2003 Changing

AN HISTORIC CITY FOR A MODERN WORLD

In October 2002, English Heritage launched Changing London, a radical new vision for managing change in London. Changing London sets out the cru­ cial contribution London’s special historic character makes to people’s quality of life and to the capital’s economy. This newsletter demonstrates what it means in practice. All those involved in London’s development must stop polarising old and new: both are vital for the daily lives of the 7.5 million people who live and work in this great city. Conservation is about managing, not preventing, change. Working together, planners, developers and conservationists can ensure that London’s past has a sustainable future. It is the only way to assure the capital’s continuing prosperity as a modern and prosperous world city.

‘The London Plan proposes CONTENTS reducing the number of 2/3 Mind The Gap designated strategic views The London Plan and diluting their protection’ Philip Davies 4/5 English Heritage’s London Region Director. Could our heritage become history? 6/7 Conservation builds communi­ ties 01 SPRING 2003

Mayor Ken Livingstone’s is for London to be ‘an example to the draft London Plan comes world’. It is just a question of how we do it. MIND THE GAP The Plan is driven byf orecasts of growth: up for public examination London is booming, so we have got to in March. house people. We have got to enable them to get around. We must make the THE LONDON most of opportunities to remedy past London stands at an important moment neglect in many areas of the capital. But in its history.This is a real opportunity to reading the full 400-page document, it shape London’s future. Who doesn’t is hard to avoid the feeling that this is a share Mr Livingstone’s enthusiasm for a business plan, not a development plan. London that’s ‘vibrant, successful, efficient There seems little awareness of what kind and socially inclusive’ as he says in his of place London is, how it has developed introduction? We all want a city that is and the problems this has produced.There PLAN ‘clean and green’. Our shared ambition are huge gaps that need to be addressed. LONDON’S HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT DESERVES MORE THAN INDIFFERENCE

London is one of the world’s great TALL BUILDINGS historic cities. It contains 40,000 listed & STRATEGIC VIEWS buildings, 860 conservation areas, three Tall buildings and strategic views are two World Heritage Sites and over 600 of the most controversial issues. protected London squares. Its historic environment is vital to its economic If higher density housing is needed, health. It is not a brake on London’s this does not have to mean high-rise. prosperity, but a prime reason for it. Successive studies have demonstrated that tall buildings are not necessary for Conservation is one of London’s great the future of London as a global financial success stories, yet it is rarely celebrated centre.There is no evidence to suggest and too often taken for granted.There is that London will lose jobs to other cities if scant recognition of it in the Mayor’s tall buildings are not developed. We know draft London Plan. too that they are unpopular. Our various People value places, not just individual MORI polls have shown that most people buildings. There is overwhelming public (62%) do not want to see any more very support for conserving the whole historic tall buildings in London over the next few environment. Opinion polls tell us that years. Two thirds do not want any new 77% disagree we preserve too much. tower blocks for living accommodation, The ‘Urban Task Force’ predicts that 90% whilst only 10% want to live in them, less of our urban fabric will still be with us in than any other building type. 30 years time: enlightened stewardship is So why the overl y permissive approach to essential.The continuing adaptation and tall buildings in the Mayor’s Plan? Boroughs reuse of our existing buildings and spaces are actively required to promote them, is a key component of a sustainable future Under threat: the protected view but there is a lack of clarity about where towards St Paul’s Cathedral from – which is why the Mayor’s emerging they might or might not be appropriate King Henry’s Mound, Richmond. London Plan is so important. based on a thorough analysis of their The draft Plan makes a commendable environmental impact. commitment to fierce environmental We must not repeat the mistakes of protection for London’s waterways and the 1960s. Tall buildings in the wrong green spaces, but no similar pledge is places are inherently unsustainable.They made to London’s historic environment. can suck the life out of surrounding This is deeply worrying. In the best plans, communities. It would be a mistake to conservation permeates the entire policy pepperpot them all over London, or framework. Here it is given little weight. 2/3

‘IF WE CHOOSE TO HAVE TALL BUILDINGS, THEN THERE ARE PLACES WHERE THEY COULD ENHANCE LONDON WITHOUT DAMAGING THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT’ Philip Davies, London Region Director.

Canary Wharf: dramatic modern architecture has to allow them to squeeze out cherished If we choose to have tall buildings, countenanced when they are of the played a key role in the area’s renewal. historic views – like that of St Paul’s – then there are places where they could highest quality and form part of a that are central to London’s self-image. enhance London without damaging the coherent whole, informed by a clear vision The London Plan proposes reducing historic environment, or the qualities of the nature of the place being created. the number of designated strategic which made London special. Canary By failing to start from an understanding views and diluting their protection. Wharf, the peninsula, the of the importance of what is there, the No consideration at all is given to . and Stratford emerging London Plan policies for tall protecting views from within London’s all offer wonderful opportunities for buildings and strategic views are Royal Parks or World Heritage Sites. world-class designs. fundamentally flawed and, potentially, RIGHT BUILDING – THE LONDON PLAN – hugely damaging.There is still time to get RIGHT PLACE STILL TIME TO GET IT RIGHT them right, which is why all those who care about London’s historic environment English Heritage is not against tall The answer is not ad hoc, reactive, should make their views known at the buildings per se.We have supported piecemeal responses to unplanned, forthcoming examination in public into several including Lord Foster’s speculative proposals.That is not the way the draft Plan which is due to commence spectacular ‘gherkin’ f or Swiss Ré. In to create cities people enjoy living in, on 3 March and last for about seven our joint guidance on tall buildings with or the way to maintain London’s unique weeks. the Commission for Architecture and competitive advantages.The Mayor’s Plan the Built Environment (CABE) we must provide clarity and certainty – made it very clear that “the overriding a rational, plan-led approach reinforced consideration is whether the location by national guidance. INFORMATION POINT is suitable for a tall building in terms We believe the starting point should be Changing London is available of its effect on the historic environment to carry out detailed character appraisals on the English Heritage at a city-wide, as well as local level. website at of London’s historic environment – to If not, then no building will be acceptable, www.english-heritage.org.uk identify important strategic and local however good the design”. views and other constraints – and only Hard copies can be obtained free of charge from English The recent report of the Parliamentary then to highlight areas that are either Heritage Customer Services – Urban Affairs Sub-Committee endorsed appropriate or inappropriate for tall call 0870 333 1181 many of our arguments, and the buildings. In appropriate locations more The draft London Plan and government has now invited English detailed urban design frameworks related documents can be Heritage and CABE to expand and can then be prepared.This would downloaded from strengthen their joint guidance to ensure that new tall buildings are only www.london.gov.uk reflect the Committee’s concerns. Revised EH-CABE ‘Guidance on Tall Buildings’ will be published in early March. 01 SPRING 2003

SLUMBERING GIANT Dominating its surroundings since the early 1930s, Power Station patiently awaits its rebirth. It is now five years since English Heritage signed up to an ambitious redevelopment of LONDON… the site to include the grade II listed power station, two hotels, offices, residential units and a showcase for GREEN CITY… the creative industries. English Heritage is currently discussing CITY OF THE PAST… radical proposals, by Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, to upgrade nearby Battersea Park railway station (listed grade II) and CITY OF THE FUTURE… bring a high level ‘skywalk’ directly into Battersea Power Station. the power station site. A proposed new SNAPSHOTS OF WORK THROUGHOUT footbridge over the River Thames into THE CAPITAL ARE A REMINDER THAT ENGLISH is also being discussed. HERITAGE’S PORTFOLIO EMBRACES ALL ASPECTS Phase 1 of the development is expected OF LONDON’S HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT. start on site in 2004,with completion WASH & BRUSH-UP – by 2008. ROMAN STYLE In an entirely unexpected discovery, BLACKHEATH probably the largest recorded Roman THE NEXT 50 YEARS Baths in London have been unearthed in ,Tower Hamlets. Work on Blackheath has played a crucial role a housing development was halted as in London’s history, but today it is archaeologists uncovered the impressive blighted by traffic.There is a haphazard remains. accumulation of signs, leaning lampposts The large bath complex dates from the and a bleak, degraded landscape. late second or early third century AD. That’s set to change. English Heritage So far excavations have revealed a series formed the Blackheath Steering Group in of hot (caldarium) and warm (tepidarium) Spring 2002.The group is a partnership rooms heated by a hypocaust system, of English Heritage, the London of which several pillae stacks survive, Boroughs of and Greenwich together with the plunge baths. who are jointly responsible for the Heath, Early indications suggest that the buildings the Royal Parks Agency,Transport for were deliberately demolished around London, the GLA and the Greenwich 400AD, but very appropriately the site is Development Agency. directly opposite modern day swimming By summer 2003 we hope to have baths. English Heritage has advised Tower a management plan in place to guide Hamlets that the remains are of national change over the next 50 years and importance and the developers will need to begin phased improvements to to ensure their preservation beneath reinstate the Heath. the new build. Blackheath.

Roman Baths, Shadwell. 4/5

COULD OUR HERITAGE BECOME HISTORY? THE THREE PROJECTS FEATURED OPPOSITE ARE TYPICAL OF THE SHEER RANGE OF CONSERVATION, REGENERATION AND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES HAPPENING ALL OVER LONDON WHERE ENGLISH HERITAGE’S LONDON REGION STAFF ARE INVOLVED. YET, ARGUES RICHARD DUMVILLE, WE NEED TO DO MORE IF WE ARE TO PREVENT OUR HERITAGE BECOMING HISTORY.

Whether it is ancient parkland like What is also inescapable is that it is subject SO WHAT IS TO BE DONE? and agencies that share an interest in and Richmond or Greenwich, great iconic to constant change. Of course, without First we need to start with an audit. understanding of London’s special qualities. buildings such as the Palace of change there would be no history. The GLA, the London Tourist Board, or the Victorian and Edwardian terraces But thoughtless change, driven by At the request of the Government, the London Forum of Amenity and of the outer suburbs, London’s historic ignorance or hope of short-term gain in December 2000 English Heritage Civic Societies, the Government Office environment is all around us, ubiquitous could sweep away the precious resource published Power of Place, a comprehensive for London, Historic Royal Palaces, Royal and inescapable. that is London’s historic environment. review of policies relating to the Parks and the London Development With it would go the social, economic historic environment. One of its many Agency are all involved. and environmental benefits it provides. recommendations was that English Research, commissioned by the LHEF, will Heritage could so easily become history. Heritage should initiate a regular report on the condition of the historic provide hard evidence demonstrating the How substantial are those benefits? environment in England and develop immense value of the historic environment Some examples: on a social level, the ways of measuring the sector’s cultural, to the economic, social, cultural and way in which neighbourhoods across economic and social impact through the environmental life of the capital. It will also London have grown and developed as development of appropriate indicators. make clear recommendations for action to distinct entities, almost self-contained ensure that London, just one of a handful villages in some cases, has helped people The result, published in November 2002, of true “World Cities”, gives full weight to gain a strong sense of community and was the State of the Historic Environment the historic environment in future Richard Dumville, Policy Officer, London Region. personal ‘belonging’. Report (SHER). This is the first ever decision-making. national audit of all aspects of the Economically, the historic environment heritage. Its findings reveal that whilst ‘Thoughtless of London encourages tourism – 54% of history and historic buildings have INFORMATION POINT those questioned recently said it was the never been so popular, the historic Power of Place – The Future change could capital’s historic buildings that encouraged environment is a massively underused of the Historic Environment them to visit.The vast bulk of the income can be found on sweep away asset, and perhaps more worryingly, is www.english-heritage.org.uk those visitors bring – as much as 96% ­ under threat from many directions. benefits the wider economy. And the The State of the Historic Environment Report (SHER) the precious conservation of the historic environment As this is the pilot year for SHER, it 2002 – summary, main data not only delivers physical improvements: has only been possible to produce a document and nine regional resource that is summary of basic information. However, factsheets – can be found it creates jobs. on the project website at regional steering groups have been set up, www.historicenvironment.org.uk London’s historic For the environmental benefits of involving partners from across the historic London’s historic environment, just try Hard copies of both documents environment sector, to work toward a can be obtained, free of charge, to imagine the city without its parks and environment’ more comprehensive edition for 2003. from English Heritage Customer gardens, its trees, even the tiny patches Services – call 0870 333 1181 of managed open space to be found In London this will fall to the London on many street corners. It wouldn’t Historic Environment Forum (LHEF) be London. which encompasses a range of bodies 01 SPRING 2003

ENGLISH HERITAGE HAS BEEN CALLED CHARLES WAGNER: MARTIN O’ROURKE: It’s true that few people would think We don’t just give grants. Increasingly MANY THINGS OVER THE YEARS, BUT of English Heritage as a "regeneration we’re getting involved in community- ‘REGENERATION AGENCY’? agency". But since 1999 we’ve been based partnerships, putting together targeting the bulk of our grant funds regeneration packages. towards conservation areas, listed buildings and archaeological sites in deprived areas.

CONSERVATION BUILDS COMMUNITIES

Woodgrange Road, , Newham. 6/7

Brick Lane. St John the Baptist . Poplar Library,Tower Hamlets.

M O’R: It almost always unlocks access to ARE ALL REGENERATION The resurrected Poplar Library should be further large-scale funding from the major SCHEMES AREA-BASED? the centrepiece of the renewal of the regeneration agencies. But of course it’s CW: Not at all. Take the church of wider area. dependent on the vision and enthusiasm St John the Baptist, Hoxton. Over a CW:Then there’s the Priory Green Estate of local people and their councillors: period of years, this impressive grade II near Kings Cross. It was designed in 1947 English Heritage can set the ball rolling listed church dating from 1824, has gone by Bertold Lubetkin as social housing. but the community itself has to make from near-ruin to a thriving parish and Recently, the estate was transferred to it happen. community centre. It all started with an the Peabody Trust who found that money was tight. There wasn’t enough to restore Charles Wagner (left) and Martin O’Rourke, CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME English Heritage grant of £515,000 Historic Areas and Regeneration Advisers, to repair the roof and restore the Lubetkin’s pioneering modern architecture. London Region EXAMPLES? spectacular ceiling paintings.The parish The Peabody Trust, Council HOW DOES THAT HELP? CW: Woodgrange Road in Forest Gate. went on to form a wider partnership and English Heritage worked together M O’R: We’re acting as a catalyst, It’s in Newham in and the including us to develop a family crisis prepare a bid for a Heritage Lottery Fund helping revive communities. Many change has been dramatic.The scheme’s centre and nursery. The crypt was Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme (THI). people think, “English Heritage – Grand been operating since 2000. The main adapted for use as a community gym, The well-developed scheme put forward by Heritage”, complete with capital letters! target from the start was the key terrace an employment project and a café. Peabody, and the recognition of the historic They don’t expect us to take an interest in the shopping centre. With Newham in The churchyard is currently being re­ interest of Priory Green, resulted in a in the ‘humble’ workaday local the lead, nearl y every owner and tenant in landscaped to give the church and its £2,000,000 lottery grant. Lubetkin’s work environment. the block agreed to (and contributed to!) various new uses the right setting. can now be properly restored. And residents an “enveloping scheme”.Thi s enabled the see their homes treated with proper care CW: Which is unfortunate, because it’s roofs, brickwork and windows of the HOW MUCH DID IT ALL COST? and attention. been proved time and again that the best terrace to be repaired and the main approach to regenerate run down areas CW: The total project cost was over decorative f eatures of the shopfronts to English Heritage – Regeneration Agency: is to build on their historic value. Look £2,000,000.The bulk of funds were raised be restored. English Heritage offered not such an unlikely description after around you in many areas of London and from English Heritage, the Heritage £200,000 towards the works, which all. Close work with , you’ll find banks, libraries , hospitals, police Lottery Fund, the Church Urban Fund, levered in £216,653 of other funding. community groups, housing associations stations and schools standing empty SRB grants and a variety of charities. and regeneration agencies can secure the and neglected. They’ve lost their original M O’R: Another conservation area where ANY OTHER EXAMPLES OF A sustainable improvement of some of the purpose… we’ve been involved over a longer period is Spitalfields on the eastern fringe of the SINGLE-BUILDING CENTRED most run down historic areas in London, M O’R: But they can still play a vital role . In the 80s and early 90s, SCHEME? improving the quality of life for all as familiar neighbourhood landmarks. concerned. Through HERS, the local our partnership schemes with Tower M O’R: If you’ve ever sat in a car queuing They give an area a distinctive sense of historic environment sometimes built Hamlets were targeted towards the to get into the southbound Blackwall place and local identity. Brought back into up over centuries, can play a full wonderful streets of listed Georgian Tunnel, you’ve probabl y seen the forlorn use, these buildings can help an area start part in people’s lives today and be houses, but once this area was “discovered”, Poplar Library. It’s a grade II listed to live again. preserved for generations to come. the increase in property values meant that “Building at Risk”, built in 1904. It had grant subsidy was unnecessary. So since HOW DO YOU SET ABOUT IT? been disused for years when it was 1995, the area grant scheme has shifted its passed to Leaside Regeneration Ltd for INFORMATION POINT CW: We devised Heritage Economic emphasis to the mixed-use buildings around refurbishment and conversion. It’s now Regeneration Schemes or HERS.These . Partnership funding has come These and other grant-aided been converted into affordable work schemes are described in are in place in some of the most from the Cityside Regeneration Agency. units. English Heritage gave grant aid of Heritage Dividend 2002 rundown conservation areas in London. Over the last seven years grant aid has £50,000 with Leaside providing £100,000 This is available free from To date, they’ve been concentrated on been given to many of the buildings owned and £500,000 from the European Union. English Heritage Customer commercial streets in neighbourhood by Bengalis and Bangladeshis. For Cityside, The Heritage of London Trust found Services on 0870 333 1181. centres, often along key historic “corridor” this has been the most successful £5,000 and their operation branch, routes out of the capital. regeneration project in its portfolio. HOLTOP, commissioned the refurbishment works with the aid of a loan from the Architectural Heritage Fund.This is a great example of the partnership approach. 01 8 SPRING 2003 Changing London AN HISTORIC CITY FOR A MODERN WORLD

CHANGING LONDON THE CHALLENGES LONDON’S HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT FACES ENORMOUS CHALLENGES. We need to: – Integrate the historic environment into the strategic and local plan-making processes. – Tackle under-investment in the maintenance and improvement of parks and open spaces. – Enhance the public realm by removing clutter and making streets places for people to enjoy – a recent MORI poll NEXT ISSUE identified the condition of streets and pavements as the London's Lungs: championing the capital's unique open most serious problem for London’s historic environment. spaces.

– Find imaginative, beneficial new uses for historic buildings English Heritage working in at risk from redundancy or neglect. partnership to provide Streets For All. – Regenerate our historic neighbourhoods to create a liveable city for all to enjoy. The Blue Ribbon: integrated plans for London's waterways. – Encourage good new buildings which respond creatively to their context and reinforce local character. – Direct tall buildings to areas where they are appropriate and where they can enhance and not damage the qualities that make London unique. – Celebrate local distinctiveness and diversity.

– Nurture London’s historic environment as a key component CONTACT DETAILS of a sustainable future. We would welcome comments and suggestions on this first edition.These should be sent to All these issues affect the daily lives of the 7.4 million people – 15% of the total population of England – who live and work Richard Dumville (Regional Policy Officer) London Region, English Heritage in the capital. 23 Savile Row, London, W1S 2ET In a densely populated city, with twelve times the average density T: 020 7973 3783 of people per square kilometre found in the rest of the country, Alternatively you can e-mail us at we owe it to Londoners to get matters like these right. [email protected] If you have not received this edition direct and wish We would like to work in partnership with you, so that together to be added to the circulation list, then please send we can meet these challenges. in your address details.

Additional copies can be obtained from English Heritage Customer Services – call 0870 333 1181.

Published by English Heritage Edited by Gordon Dulieu Designed by Real 451 Printed by VenturaLitho

All images copyright English Heritage except pages 1, 2 © Kim Wilkie, page 4 (Battersea Power Station) © English Heritage.NMR. Photograph of (page 3) by Boris Baggs

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