Bristol conference on localism, heritage and place making

English Heritage and Bristol City Council address major changes in the planning world.

Registration opens Tuesday 17 January for a free English Heritage and Bristol City Council joint conference - Localism and Heritage: Working Together. The conference, which will explore what localism means for heritage, is on Wednesday 7 March at The Council House. It is aimed at community groups, local amenity societies, elected members, local government and private sector conservation, design and planning professionals and any individuals involved in planning and managing change in the historic environment in the South West.

There are big changes afoot in the planning world. The new Localism Act seeks to make the planning system clearer, more democratic and more effective and to place more influence in the hands of local people. This, together with the proposed National Planning Policy Framework and the end of regional planning, has created an unprecedented level of public interest and debate about planning

At the same time, there are cuts to both budgets and staff in local government. Councils are having to cope with reduced resources while also developing new ways of working with communities to conserve heritage and to create new, high quality, developments. 

English Heritage Chair Baroness Andrews will deliver the conference’s keynote speech on the opportunities and challenges for the historic environment presented by the Localism agenda.

Her speech will be followed in the morning by three case studies illustrating new ways local authorities are working with communities in the heritage sector. 

In the afternoon the theme of the conference will be ‘Local Placemaking’ focusing on Bristol case studies. Primarily aimed at local community groups engaged in planning, the session will provide an opportunity to share experience and consider the growing role of communities in shaping local places. It will also provide an opportunity to discuss new technologies, such as the ‘Know Your Place’ website, developed by Bristol City Council in partnership with English Heritage, to broaden the understanding of local heritage and the positive contribution it makes to local areas. 

Councillor Negus, the Heritage Champion for Bristol City Council who is opening the conference, said: “As a city we've become very good at working together to achieve the best for Bristol. The high level of enthusiasm around the Carriageworks consultation and the buzz around Stokes Croft demonstrates the appetite for localism within our communities. The conference is an opportunity to skill up on the new laws so that residents and interest groups can use the new powers effectively, and work with the council and English Heritage on enhancing and protecting the city's unique historic buildings and conservation areas.

Andrew Vines, English Heritage Planning Director for the South West, said: “Localism presents us with a positive new opportunity for English Heritage to offer our expert advice and work even more closely with Bristol City Council and with local communities and to maximise the contribution of the historic environment to create high quality places.”

Conference Information

Localism and Heritage: Working Together

Date: Wednesday 7 March, morning session 9.30am to 1pm. Afternoon session 1.45pm to 4.30pm

Venue: Bristol City Council Conference Hall, The Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

The event is free but must be booked in advance. For a booking form, please email localismandheritage@english-heritage.org.uk

Delegates can book for the whole day or for either the morning or afternoon session.