Alan C. Parnell Building Legislation and Historic Buildings

Annotation

Building Legislation and Historic Buildings offers a guide to the application of the Building Regulations, the Public Health Acts, the Fire Precautions Act, the Housing Act and other legislation relevant to historic buildings. The purpose is to aid the architect in tackling his own design problems and support him in his negotiations with the various controlling authorities. This book reviews the statutory controls exercised in England and Wales, including London, by local authorities over historic buildings in use, and when alterations or a change of use are proposed. It indicates the impact of such controls on the character and environment of historic buildings, outlining the main problems that result, and showing how far and in what ways they can be resolved. It considers the case for relaxing some buildings from control in the interests of conservation of historic character. It examines the possibility of improving the application of the various administrative procedures to historic buildings. It also attempts to increase understanding of the problems of the continuing use of historic buildings and the current standards for safety and amenity and recommending ways in which this understanding can best be promoted.