Members of Planning & Design Practice’s heritage team, including RIBA accredited Specialist Conservation Architect Lindsay Cruddas and Heritage Consultant Ruth Gray, attended the launch of a new app designed to help preserve Derbyshire’s most vulnerable buildings at risk.
Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust hosted a session to provide training on the new app at the Strutts Community Centre in Belper on Thursday 24th October. The Trust aim to empower a volunteer task force to help identify and monitor the condition of hundreds of vulnerable listed buildings in Derbyshire.
The new B@R app has been developed by the Trust as part of their ‘Saving our Heritage for Everyone’ project that started in March 2024 with funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help the Trust to build organisational resilience.
The Buildings at Risk app will be used to survey Grade II listed buildings and monuments which can then be recorded in order for the trust to have an idea of their condition.
Attendees were introduced to the app and provided with initial training. The meeting offered the chance to speak with the DHBT team, get hands-on support with the app, and meet other volunteers.
Volunteers receiving training at the launch of the Buildings at Risk app (B@R) from Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust
Lindsay Cruddas, Director and Specialist Conservation Architect at PDP said of the Buildings at Risk app:
“We’ve completed a few surveys now, its very straightforward to use. The hope that alerting the DHBT to the properties which need the help the most is very encouraging and will save more listed buildings.
It has also been helpful for us as a heritage practice to locate the property on the map and have a direct link to the properties listing whilst being on site. It would be fantastic if the project is a success to see it rolled out across the neighbouring counties.”
The survey work will be starting in Amber Valley and will then expand to Derby City and other areas of the county. Unbelievably, there are several thousand Grade II listed buildings in Derbyshire. Therefore, keeping an up-to-date record of each and every one is almost impossible. However, with this innovative approach- and the power of volunteers- DHBT plan to complete a condition survey of each and every one.
The Trust will be able to identify which buildings are most at-risk using a colour-coded key, and this will enable them and their stakeholders to focus support and investment towards the most vulnerable buildings.
Ruth and Lindsay are hoping to recruit more of the Planning & Design Team to get involved too and have found it a great way to get out and about and discover their local heritage.
DHBT say that there are so many buildings to survey and are looking for as many volunteers as possible. All contributions are important.
DHBT Heritage Development Officer, Anna Cluley, who is co-ordinating the Derbyshire B@R project and app, says, “This project comes with a unique opportunity to volunteer with the Trust. Volunteering can be done entirely on your own terms, whenever and wherever you want. You don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the heritage sector to volunteer, just an inquisitive nature, an interest in local history and enthusiasm to explore.”
For more details go to the DHBT website and follow the easy training guide. https://www.derbyshirehistoricbuildingstrust.org.uk/bar-volunteer-hub
Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust – Protecting Buildings at Risk
Established in 1974, the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust has been responsible for the rescue of many historic buildings throughout Derbyshire. Using their skills and knowledge members of the Trust identify neglected and abandoned historic buildings and then work to bring them back into sustainable new use.
The Trust rescues ‘buildings at risk’ by acting as a catalyst (Allestree Hall), enabler (Spital Chapels), partner (Aqueduct Cottage), advisor (Alstonefield Hall) or not-for-profit developer (Wingfield Station) in order to get them restored and put to a viable and active use.
Planning & Design Practice Ltd
At PDP we recognise the importance of the built heritage in our towns, villages and rural areas. We have an in-house team of consultants, conservation architects and architectural technicians who ensure that proposals are designed sympathetically to conserve and enhance historic buildings and sites.
We have worked on numerous schemes affecting Listed Buildings, buildings at risk, Conservation Areas and within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. We have the expertise and specialist knowledge to achieve success with your project regardless of its size.
For more information on the heritage services we provide, or for a no obligation discussion on your project or property, please contact us on 01332 347371 or email enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk
