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The Society's Chair, with effect from

October 2024 is

Jeremy Milln

Contact details

Tel: 01432 357085; Mob: 07779 034457

E-mail: Jeremy.Milln@gmail.com

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​​The Society’s Chair, at the invitation of the Editor

of the Hereford Times contributes an occasional

“Opinion Piece” for Herefordshire’s principle

weekly newspaper of record.

 

Previous articles see Topics Tab E-K

Hereford Times Opinion Pieces​

 

TALKING POINT HEREFORD TIMES - 27th March 2025

 

 Town planning in progressive societies is all about building great, liveable places with homes that provide security, a sense of belonging and ready access to community facilities.  Herefordshire is particularly blessed with its history and  rich vernacular traditions. 6300 of its buildings are listed and 64 of its settlements are conservation areas, and it is often these places we aspire to in seeking liveability.

 

However the responsibility for caring for them can be onerous and costly.  A great many of Herefordshire's historic buildings, particularly churches, are at risk. Yet the pressure to build anew in and around our historic places has never been stronger.  Provided this is well designed and enhances their viability this is welcomed.

 

One way of modestly encouraging the care and sensitive adaptation of historic buildings and good design in new ones is by simple recognition and appreciation. Accordingly the Civic Society with Herefordshire Council are to launch a new award scheme during the Herefordshire Histories Festival in May.

 

This is timely given the stretching housing targets the new Government expects Herefordshire to meet; up from 16,100 to 27,260 over a 20 year period.  Given the right incentives this does not need to be ugly car-dependent sprawl or deep-pocketed Grand Designs, but good housing to support community well-being for everyone.

 

Awards are likely to fall into three categories: 1) excellence of design in new building(s) having regard of their form, function, materiality and layout, especially where this contributes to place-making ; 2) best restoration, repair or reuse of a historic building or garden especially where this contributes to public understanding, and 3) best new build, retrofit or repurposing of a building meeting high standards of energy efficiency, renewability and resource economy especially when based around sustainable travel modes

 

If you would like to be part of this, get in touch or come along to the launch at 2.30pm on 16th May at Hereford Town Hall.

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