Women in Property Roundtable: Unveiling the Complexity of Repurposing Heritage Buildings
Bowman Riley hosted a Women in a Property breakfast roundtable discussion on repurposing heritage buildings on Wednesday, 17th April, in our Leeds office.
Samantha Jevons, our Marketing and Business Development Associate, reflected on the ideas and experiences shared by the roundtable participants.
The topic of the debate, “Historic Buildings: Are They Worth Repurposing?” is not merely a question of renovation or preservation; it’s a multifaceted exploration of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the stewardship of our built heritage.
Chaired by Helen Walker, our Head of Heritage and a Conservation Architect, the roundtable brought together a diverse array of property professionals and public sector representatives.
Helen’s opening question, probing whether clients perceive historic buildings as assets or liabilities, set the stage for a rich exchange of perspectives.
Holly Gerrard’s observations from ID Planning resonated with many of us: while some clients cherish their heritage assets and embrace their architectural heritage, others grapple with the financial burdens and risks associated with renovation projects.
Jenny Bedford from Buttress’s insight into the “viability gap” underscored the economic realities that often complicate heritage refurbishment efforts.
Yet, amidst the challenges, there emerged a sense of optimism and pragmatism. April Marsden from Bowman Riley’s suggestion of creating maintenance strategies for clients struck a chord, highlighting the importance of proactive stewardship in preserving our architectural legacy. Helen Walker’s call for a Building Standards Document from Historic England garnered widespread support, recognising the need for accessible guidance in navigating the complexities of heritage projects.
Alexis Nicolaidis from VA Heritage made a poignant remark on the disconnect between clients’ expectations and the realities of heritage refurbishment, which struck a chord with many of us. Indeed, as professionals in the field, we often find ourselves tasked with guiding clients through the labyrinthine process of heritage projects, navigating constraints and technical challenges.
Helen Bower, representing Kirklees Council, offered valuable insights into the role of conservation officers in bridging the gap between preservation and adaptation. Her emphasis on the importance of expertise and sensitivity in approaching heritage projects underscored the nuanced nature of our work.
Rachael Martin from ID Planning commented that solicitors should provide a fact sheet for clients to help them understand their legal obligations around owning and maintaining a heritage asset.
Also, from Kirklees Council, Sebastian Pickles’ remarks encapsulated the essence of our discussion, emphasising the need for proactive engagement and a deep understanding of the complexities inherent in heritage buildings. His reminder that what may appear as a simple renovation project on the surface often conceals layers of history and architectural evolution resonated with us all.
Dora deGraft Aidoo from Artic Associates commented that her team works on churches owned by people who love their buildings, see them as community assets, are in it for the long term, and take advice from their architects and surveyors.
Helen Walker spoke about the value that the heritage industry has brought to the economy over the past few years.
Damian Woolliscroft from Buttress said that this surge in activity is largely due to increased levels of government funding from Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) to Towns funding and Levelling Up but wonders about how sustainable this will be once the funding disappears.
Alexis Nicoladis commented that there is another long-term issue around a skills shortage in traditional tradespeople. She said that the industry and education need to encourage young people to consider careers in thatched roofing, drystone walling, stone masonry and other skills and there needs to be more apprenticeships.
Jenny Kitchen from Building Rapport said that she is working with Bradford Council to understand the skills shortage and create opportunities in endangered trades and crafts.
The conversation then turned to the challenge of retrofitting old buildings and how the need to modify properties to be more sustainable can clash with the need to preserve the historic building.
Damian Wolliscroft said that retrofit is certainly a buzzword but asked if it had really taken off at pace?
Sebastian Pickles said that Kirklees Council had seen a huge number of applications to retrofit old buildings. He felt that the applicants were not necessarily looking at the building holistically and that people don’t necessarily realise how complex it is.
Jenny Bedford commented that more understanding is needed to address climate change within a heritage setting.
Helen Walker’s closing remarks said that there is clearly work to be done to chart a course towards a future where the process of refurbishing and repurposing historic buildings is made clearer and more transparent so that our built heritage can continue to create opportunities for vibrant re-use that inspire and enrich our communities.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Women in Property roundtable and contributed their thoughts. The roundtable was attended by: Alexis Nicolidis from VA Heritage, Dora deGraft Aidoo from Arctic Associates, Damian Wooliscroft and Jenny Bedford from Buttress, Holly Gerrard and Rachael Martin from ID Planning, Holly Smith from HLPC, Jenny Kitchen from Building Rapport, Helen Bower and Sebastian Pickles from Kirklees Council, Michelle Burpoe from Lanpro, Jessica Lawton from Garnett Netherwood, Helen Walker, April Marsden and Samantha Jevons from Bowman Riley.
This blog is intended to be a reflection of the session rather than a complete record of the discussion. Apologies if there are any misquotes or misunderstandings.