Use em or lose em
Use em or lose em
Bigger financial incentives may be just around the corner
for farmers who want to restore disused structures,
delegates at a Rural Regeneration – Sustainable
Future for Farm Buildings conference in London heard
this week. Johann Tasker reports
BRITAINS countryside faces widespread dereliction unless conservationists and developers work together to save thousands of old farm buildings, warn experts.
Five years of rock-bottom incomes have left farmers unable to maintain historic barns, cow sheds and, in some cases, even their own homes. Many such buildings are of national importance. But some are now in such a poor state of repair that they are in danger of falling down and being lost forever.
"Historic farm buildings are a valuable resource, but they are threatened with absolute loss through abandonment, dereliction and demolition," said Peter Gaskell, of Gloucestershire Uni-versitys countryside and community research unit, which is conducting a national survey of old farm buildings.
Conservationists believe historic farm buildings are an important part of Britains heritage. But they have frequently opposed their redevelopment, accusing developers of shoddy work which turns architectural masterpieces into monstrosities.
Times are changing. Most farm buildings must be used or lost, Dr Gaskell told the conference, organised by the Historic Farm Buildings Group. If buildings have outlived their agricultural use, many should be sympathetically converted into offices, workshops or housing.
Dr Gaskell believes they may be more than 1m historic farm buildings in Britain. But only 6% are listed and little is known about the rest. Results from his survey, which is sponsored by Countryside Agency and English Heritage, are due later this year. They will be used to encourage the government to develop a rural buildings strategy.
National heritage
Countryside Agency chairman Ewen Cameron called for the bold and innovative reuse of farm buildings as offices and houses. It was important to find ways that buildings could pay for themselves because the state was reluctant to pay for their upkeep. But he added: "It is certainly right that the public should help farmers protect our national heritage."
Planning permission continues to hamper some conversions, but about £7m/year is set aside to maintain old buildings by the Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme and Countryside Steward-ship schemes, said Jane Brown, DEFRA director of land management and rural development.
A major review of agri-environment schemes is underway and may lead to more grants being made available, she added.
"There are real opportunities in doing more to preserve our historic farm buildings." But this depends on the governments spending review in July.
English Heritage chairman Sir Neil Cossons said DEFRA appeared more concerned with wildlife than historic bricks and mortar. But ministers should improve the co-ordination of grants for farmers who want to maintain old buildings. "Homes for bats need to be looked after just as much as the bats themselves," he said.
NFU president Ben Gill said a balance was needed between the creation of rural jobs and the maintenance of farm buildings. "We have a highly-valued building heritage and society wants us to maintain it and enhance it. But that cannot happen without profitability and money."