English Heritage leads the sector in a positive, well-informed and collaborative approach to conservation that we call Constructive Conservation. The aim is to recognise and reinforce the historic significance of places, while accommodating the changes necessary to make sure that people can continue to  use and enjoy them.

Early approach to conservation

During the 20th century, particularly just after World War II, very many important buildings were demolished and this resulted in a corresponding surge in the conservation movement. The focus on preventing change was a response to a crisis but was sometimes fairly inflexible. Legislation now exists to protect historic places and conservation has come a long way since then.

Modern conservation is about continuity not preservation

The conservation movement has progressed toward an idea of not preventing change but of helping everyone to manage it, so that the important elements that tell us about our culture continue through time - connecting us to the continuing story of human existence. 

Use it or lose it

The best way to save a building is to find a new use for it. Even recently restored buildings that are vacant will soon start to degenerate again.  An unreasonable, inflexible approach will prevent action that could have given a building new life.  Modern conservation involves having a more thorough understanding of what makes a site important and working collaboratively with owners and developers to find that new use.

We use our Conservation Principles

We have set out our way of working in our published Conservation Principles, in order to share this 21st century approach to conservation with everyone. Our principles allow us to be precise, objective and consistent about what is special about a building and what will need to be kept in order to make sure that the heritage value of that building is not lost. This means we can also be specific about the opportunities for adaptation or demolition and clearly show people what their options are.

Expert advice from us can make all the difference.

As part of our constructive approach we work collaboratively with architects and developers at early pre-application stages to help them to make decisions based on a full understanding of their site.  We use Conservation Principles to make sure that our advice is reasonable, knowledgeable and consistent.  Read A Charter for English Heritage Planning and Development Advisory Services to find about more about what to expect from our planning department.

It doesn’t stop here

An important part of Constructive Conservation is making the whole heritage protection system work better.  We are carrying out a programme of Heritage Protection Reform to make the system simpler, clearer and more transparent. We also provide training and support through our HELM programme for local authority staff at the front line of heritage protection.