Old Pennar School - Who to contact (Part 2)

In my last post I gave the contact details of people or organisation you can contact to express any concerns you might have about the way the future of Old Pennar School has been handled by Pembrokeshire County Council. This would include any concerns you have of a procedural nature. This would include any decisions or standpoints that the council is taking that seem to be contrary to their own Local Development Plan and other policies.

News paper cutting: November 1883

In this post I will start to mention some organisations you could contact to express concerns about the loss of a very important local community landmark and building which has for generations been part of the main focus of the community of Pennar. This post will be about CADW.

First a brief recap of the way in which historical monuments can be protected by designation in law. The two "systems" are scheduling and listing.

Scheduling

A Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) is one that , in CADW's own words:

"The one factor common to nearly all scheduled ancient monuments is that they are archaeological sites, ruins or buildings for which there is little prospect of economic use. It is this which distinguishes them from listed buildings. A structure cannot be scheduled as an ancient monument if it is in use either as a dwelling house or for ecclesiastical purposes.

Some structures are both scheduled and listed. Mostly these are unoccupied buildings, such as medieval barns or dovecotes, as well as some industrial monuments and a selection of bridges. Occasional areas of overlap reflect the fact that the scheduling process predated the listed buildings legislation."
 

A pamphlet about Scheduled Ancient Monuments and the law relating to them in Wales can be obtained from here.

What is Scheduling?

Sometimes buildings get de-scheduled. A local example of this is the Dockyard Chapel in Pembroke Dock. This was  to enable it to be restored to its wonderful present state. See posts in

 www.PDboyinsuffolk.blogspot.com

Listing

When a building is listed, it conveys different levels of protection. Listing can apply to just part of a building as well.

Again in CADW's own words:

"Buildings are assessed against criteria set out in Circulars 61/96 & 1/98. The principles of selection were originally drawn up by an expert committee of architects, antiquarians and historians and are still followed today, although the criteria are revised periodically. The following are the main criteria:

• Architectural interest: buildings important to the nation for the interest of their architectural design, decoration and craftsmanship; also important examples of particular building types and techniques (for example,buildings displaying technological innovation or virtuosity) and significant plan forms;

• Historic interest: buildings which illustrate important aspects of the nation’s social, economic, cultural or military history;

• Close historical associations with people or events of importance to Wales;

• Group value: especially where the buildings comprise an important architectural or historic unity or a fine example of planning (for example, squares, terraces or model villages).

 In considering whether to list a building, the Assembly is advised by the professional Inspectorate of Historic Buildings within Cadw, which makes assessments in the light of these principles. Local authorities and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) are also consulted. Gardens, however exceptional, cannot be listed, though garden structures can be listed individually. Cadw has prepared a non-statutory register of parks and gardens of historic interest which provides information on sites of interest."

Further information can be found here:

What is Listing?
 

 

Also:

"Listed buildings are classified in grades to show their relative importance.
The grades are:

 • I — Buildings of exceptional, usually national, interest. Currently, fewer than two per cent of buildings listed in Wales qualify for this grade;

• II* — Particularly important buildings of more than special interest;

• II — Buildings of special interest, which warrant every effort being made
to preserve them."

 CADW can be contacted directly: at:

Cadw
Welsh Government
Plas Carew
Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed
Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QQ

Tel:  01443 336000
Fax:  01443 336001
E-mail: cadw@wales.gsi.gov.uk

It is better to ask to speak to or email:

Kate Clark, Cadw's Director. Kate joined Cadw in 2014, with a background in museums and heritage in Australia and the UK. As the Director she is responsible for overseeing the multi-disciplinary work of Cadw, including the direct management of monuments in State care, specialist policy, statutory responsibilities, conservation, visitor and commercial functions. The Director reports to the Director of Culture and Sport and is accountable to Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism.
Email Kate Clark Kate.Clark@wales.gsi.gov.uk


Gwilym Hughes, Assistant Director Historic Environment.  Gwilym joined Cadw in 2007 and is responsible for the policies and actions which aim to protect the Welsh historic environment.
Email Gwilym Hughes Gwilym.Hughes2@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Lucy O’Donnell, Assistant Director Public Engagement and Governance.  Lucy joined Cadw in 2011 and is responsible for the services which make the Welsh historic environment interesting and relevant and through which Cadw is accountable to the public.
Email Lucy O’Donnell Lucy.O'Donnell@wales.gsi.gov.uk