Dorset Architectural Heritage Week
General Information

Who's Who In the DAHWA

Conservation Areas Information

Listed Buildings Information

Conservation Officers List

Who's Who
The programme of events is organised by East Dorset Heritage Trust on behalf of the Dorset Architectural Heritage Week Association. This group comprises the local authority conservation officers from all nine local authorities in Dorset and in turn reports to the Dorset Planning Officers Panel.
I hope you will find the week exciting, stimulating and helpful. I welcome any feedback you may want to give and there is a questionnaire for you to complete within the booklet which will help us to improve the event for you. Wishing you a wonderful week, on behalf of all the conservation officers in Dorset.

Alan Wilson - Events Manager, Ian Utley - Events Co-ordinator, Sarah Evans- Booking Office Manager
East Dorset Heritage Trust, Allendale House, Hanham Road, Wimborne, BH21 1AS
Telephone: (01202) 888992
Fax:01202 848960
Email: dahw@edht.org.uk

ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WITH THE BUILT HERITAGE
District and County Councils and the Unitary Boroughs
The District or Borough Conservation Officer should be an early point of contact for anyone wishing to extend or alter a Listed building or any building in a Conservation Area. A list of Conservation Officers and contact addresses is shown on the inside back cover. In addition to giving advice on how alterations may be sensitively handled, Conservation Officers offer specialist advice on how to tackle building repairs using traditional techniques and materials. Some authorities operate schemes for financial assistance to encourage proper repairs.
In cases where historic buildings have fallen into a serious state of disrepair, a Council may need to use its powers under the 1990 Planning Act to serve Urgent Works or Repair Notices to exert pressure on the owner to take steps to save the building.

The Civic Trust
The Civic Trust is concerned with improving and regenerating the environment in places where people live and work. It promotes high standards of planning, design and conservation, especially in the built environment. It was founded in 1957 by Lord Duncan-Sandys and is a registered charity.
Every year it makes annual Civic Trust Awards for good development of all kinds. The Campaign for Liveable Places was launched in April 1993. An umbrella body for nearly 1000 local groups, the Civic Trust provides help and advice and administers the Local project Grant Fund which helps finance community based practical environmental projects. It also maintains a large reference library which is open by appointment to the public and publishes reports and a quarterly magazine.

Dorset Building Preservation Trust
The Dorset Building Preservation Trust was set up in 1983 by the County and District Councils through the Dorset Planning Officers' Panel. The Trust received capital from all Dorset's local authorities and initially operated a revolving fund using the proceeds of sales to fund further projects. In this way, four projects in Dorchester, Wimborne Minster, Sherborne and Portland successfully saved and refurbished historic buildings. The collapse of house prices during its last project wiped out the Trust's capital fund. Steps are now being taken to reinvigorate the Trust and to develop a more effective organisation with a new sense of direction and purpose.

East Dorset Heritage Trust
The East Dorset Heritage Trust, based in Wimborne Minster, was established in 1987 with the support of East Dorset District Council. Its headquarters is now Allendale House, built for the Castleman family in the heart of the town. The building comprises a Heritage and Community Learning Centre and there are exhibitions and a wide variety of learning opportunities using state of the art technology. The Trust is committed to the 'care of our environment for the benefit of future generations'. By increasing our knowledge or understanding of our heritage, the Trust believes we are more likely to appreciate it and wish to conserve it. This message is being spread by the Trust into schools, business and local government.
A huge range of activities for all ages throughout the year are organised to provide opportunities to explore the varied treasures of the County. The Trust enlists the support of the National Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust and other organisations as well as many expert individuals who are always keen to convey their special knowledge of the area to those prepared to take the trouble to find out.

Dorset Buildings Group
The Dorset Buildings Group consists of a small number of people with enthusiasm for Dorset's buildings. They meet every two months to talk about protecting buildings at risk, how to repair and look after buildings and how to spread the knowledge and appreciation needed to ensure the survival of our built heritage.
Meetings are held in the Dorset County Museum's education room in Dorchester. Enthusiasts are welcome.
For more information, ring Liz Induni (01929 423776) or Di Hall (01725 517475

Conservation Areas
Today as never before, there is a growing awareness of the importance of our physical environment, and the part which it plays in shaping our lives and the lives of our children.
In Dorset we are particularly fortunate to have numerous attractive small towns and villages which have developed gradually over the centuries. However, the pressures for change inherent in modern day life, lack of care and attention, and the natural processes of decay will, if unchecked, result in a gradual erosion and eventual destruction of the unique character of many of Dorset's towns and villages. We have a rich and rare heritage, something to be conserved and enhanced not only for ourselves but also for future generations. The responsibility for this must be borne by all concerned - Local Authorities and members of the public - all have an important part to play.
The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires local planning authorities to consider from time to time which parts of their areas are of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance. These areas are then designated as Conservation Areas.
To date, 224 Conservation Areas have been designated within the County, and these areas vary from the densely developed town centres to the rural settings of village communities. Conservation Areas are principally based on groups of older buildings, but it is the relationship of these buildings with each other, and the open spaces between and around them, together with the historic street pattern, gardens, trees and field systems that all contribute to their unique character.
Many people think, quite wrongly, that 'conservation' means 'preservation', ie, maintaining everything exactly as it is, but this is not the case. If Conservation Areas are to remain vigorous and prosperous they must adapt to meet the changing needs of people who live and work in them. The aim is to achieve this while at the same time safeguarding and enhancing those special architectural features which give them their unique character. Thus new development, where appropriate, and changes and extensions to buildings will be permitted, providing they comply with the relevant rules and regulations, and are in accordance with the overall policy for the area.
Listed buildings
Dorset has a wealth of buildings of architectural and historic interest, ranging from large country houses and elegant Georgian terraces and farmhouses to small cottages and farm buildings.
These buildings are part of our heritage, and they make distinctive and individual contributions to the character of Dorset's towns, villages and countryside. In order to protect them the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is required by law to compile and publish Statutory Lists of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Buildings included in such lists are known as "Listed Buildings".
Buildings are included on the List only after careful examination and according to strict rules. They are graded, I, II* (star) and II. Grade I buildings are of national importance and exceptional interest. Grade II buildings are of special interest, and the Grade II* (star) refers to buildings of this category which are of particular importance.

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 provides special protection to Listed buildings. No part of their structure, nor anything within their curtilege can be demolished, partly demolished, extended or altered (inside or outside) before the proposed work has been fully considered and approved by the Local Planning Authority, or in appropriate cases, by the Secretary of State for the Environment.
Listed buildings form a very small percentage of the County's building stock, possibly as little as 5%. Their value as a resource of history and craftsmanship is therefore worthy of special efforts to conserve them and to preserve their most important features. Over the years their cultural value will increase, in part because these buildings were built well with long lasting materials and techniques. Just as we have inherited them from our forbears, we hold them in trust for future generations.

Conservation Officers
The primary source of information on historic buildings should be one of the Historic Building or Conservation Officers employed by the local Borough, District, County or Unitary Councils. They can generally give advice and help and can sometimes suggest sources of funding for repair work. Their names are set out below, together with their office address and telephone number.

Borough of Poole Council
Warren Lever
Planning Services,
Civic Centre, Poole,
Dorset, BH15 2RU
Telephone: (01202) 633633

Bournemouth Borough Council
Andy Williams
Conservation Design Officer
Planning & Transport
Town Hall Annexe
Bournemouth
Dorset, BH2 6EA
Telephone: (01202) 451321

Christchurch Borough Council
Melanie Sutton
Planning Division, Civic Offices,
Bridge Street, Christchurch,
Dorset, BH23 1AZ
Telephone: (01202) 495000

Dorset County Council
John Lowe
Environmental Services Directorate,
County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ
Telephone: (01305) 251000

East Dorset District Council
Ray Bird
District Planning Department, Furzehill,
Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4HN
Telephone: (01202) 886201

North Dorset District Council
Kevin Morris
District Planning Department,
Norden, Salisbury Road,
Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7LL
Telephone: (01258) 454111

Purbeck District Council
Benjamin Webb
District Planning Department,
Westport House, Wareham,
Dorset, BH20 4PP
Telephone: (01929) 556561

West Dorset District Council
David Chiplin & Kim Winter
Planning and Environment, Stratton House,
58 High West Street, Dorchester,
Dorset, DT1 1UZ
Telephone: (01305) 251010

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
Colin Ellis
Planning Department, Municipal Offices,
North Quay, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8TA
Telephone: (01305) 761222

Return to top of page

Return to DAHW Menu

Return to EDHT Menu