Historical sites
Historic buildings and places have an important role as far as education, economic development, sustainable growth, urban and rural regeneration, repopulation of inner-city areas, improved competitiveness, cultural development, and providing facilities for local communities are concerned.
Historic Buildings and places have their own intrinsic value and any nation has a duty to care for them which is recognised in various international charters and conventions (UNESCO, Council of Europe, etc).
Social, Economic and Environmental Value
Historic buildings have often undergone repeated adaptations and have proved to be durable and flexible to changing needs. Most historic buildings are in use and are part of the infrastructure of modern society. Taking action to improve and enhance historical sites can often help to attract investment, create new facilities for social enterprise and deliver structural economic and physical transformations.
Tourism
Historic places and buildings encourage domestic tourism and attract visitors thus being an essential element of the Tourism industry.
Supporting Local Communities
Selective redevelopment based around the historic environment fulfils the needs of local communities and maintains local, cultural, social and economic diversity. Historic buildings and areas can provide accommodation for a range of social and community facilities, better accessibility and choice for non-car owners, affordable housing, and a basis for transforming semi-abandoned areas and creating new opportunities.
Sustainable use of Resources
The conservation and refurbishment of historic buildings is a sustainable form of development, avoiding the use and waste of scarce resources associated with demolition and redevelopment, and helping to achieve sustainable growth. The investment of energy in the reconstruction of historic buildings has already resulted in many cases in more durable structures, some of which have lasted for centuries.
Intrinsic Value
Historic Buildings and places have intrinsic value in their own right as the products of human achievement in arts, design and construction, essential to the spiritual and cultural well-being of a nation.
There is a wide public acceptance that we have a duty to conserve historical sites as part of the cultural heritage for current and future generations.
Local Distinctiveness
Investment in historic places preserves local identity and sense of place and fosters local pride.
Cultural, Learning and Skills Value Education
The Historic Environment provides a tangible resource for the teaching of social, economic, political and human history, helping to create a better understanding of contemporary society and contributing to effective school and adult learning.
The Future for Historic Environments
It is only through proper protection, conservation and management of the historic environment, supported by investment in its maintenance, repair and adaptation that these substantial benefits can continue to be realised.
We should contribute to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment, and to promote heritage-led regeneration and access to the historic environment for all.