Listed Buildings Advisory Committee

Under Standing Order 332, the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee (LBAC) is to be appointed by the Methodist Council to provide expert knowledge of historic church buildings.

In particular the members of the LBAC are to have, between them, knowledge of the history, development and use of Methodist chapels, of Methodist liturgy and worship, or archaeology, of the history and the development of architecture and the visual arts, and the experience of the care of historic buildings and their contents.

The role of the LBAC, under Standing Order 982, is to provide advice to the Methodist Property Office on all applications for listed building works. The LBAC is also expected to provide general advice to the Methodist Property Office and its officers on policy matters regarding listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas.

The Methodist Property Office processes approximately 250 projects for works to listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas each year. Many of these projects are for relatively minor works, such as the removal of a pew or the refitting of a kitchen. The LBAC cannot therefore comment on every project without substantially slowing down the Methodist Property Office's processing system. A policy framework has developed which allows the responsibility for providing much advice to be delegated to the Conservation Officer.

The LBAC meets four times a year. At each meeting a list of all new applications or initial contacts is reported, together with details of all major cases. There is also a report on the advice that has been given since the previous LBAC. The LBAC also reviews the comments received from English Heritage/Cadw, Local Authorities and National Amenity Societies on submitted projects.

 

Ms Elaine Blackett-Ord Conservation Architect in private practice. Appointed architect to the Churches Conservation Trust. Main Committee member and Trustee of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Journalist in the architectural press on a commissioned basis covering a variety of subjects.
Dr Peter Forsaith Historian of religion, culture and society in 18th century Britain. Current research interests include the relationship between the arts and the evangelical revival. Co-ordinator of the Methodist Studies Unit, Oxford Brookes University, and also convener of the Methodist Heritage Forum.
Dr June Hargreaves Town Planner and Conservation Consultant, former Assistant City Planning Officer in York with special responsibilities for conservation. Author of a book in 1964 which introduced the concept of Conservation Areas, and which was subsequently embodied into national legislation. Co-author of legal textbook on 'Listed Buildings - Law and Practice'. Advisor to many conservation related organisations, including the R.C. Diocese of Middlesbrough on its Historic Churches Committee.
Mr Ian Hume Conservation accredited Structural Engineer in private practice, formerly Chief Engineer of the Conservation Engineering branch, English Heritage. Author of numerous articles and papers on structural engineering matters in relation to conservation.
Mr Jeremy Lake Trained as an archaeologist and historian. Worked as a fieldworker on the Accelerated Resurvey of Listed Buildings. Since 1988 has been an Inspector of Historic Buildings with English Heritage, with a specific interest in the thematic evaluation of specific building types. Numerous publications including 'Diversity and Vitality - the Methodist and Non-conformist Chapels of Cornwall'.
Dr Richard Newman Archaeologist and landscape historian, currently Environmental Planning Manager for Cumbria County Council but formerly in private practice. Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and Member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. Author of The Historical Archaeology of Britain 1540-1900.
Revd Anthony Parkinson Acting Chair. Methodist minister in Swansea. Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Formerly on the staff of the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments in Wales (1970-95); author of articles on various aspects of historic architecture in Wales, including a chapter on chapel architecture in Methodism in Wales (2003).
Mr John Prichard Conservation architect with wide experience of restoring and adapting historic secular and ecclesiastical buildings. Surveyor to the Diocese of Manchester since 1990 and member of Chester and Manchester Diocesan Advisory Committees.
Dr Christopher Wakeling Art Historian, Lecturer and Group-Subject Convenor at Keele University, where he also runs the MA course in Architectural History. Publications include 'The Nonconformist Traditions: Chapels, Change and Continuity' and 'Rolling in the Aisles: Nonconformist Perspectives on the Gothic.' Chairman of the English Heritage Places of Worship Forum.
Ms Helen Whittaker Designer/Artist and Glass Conservator, working in the Keith Barley studio. Tutor to The Princes Foundation and a member of the Competitions and Awards Committee of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass. Many personal commissions throughout the country, mainly in cathedrals and parish churches.
Revd Steve Wild Chair of the Cornwall Methodist District. Latterly Connexional Director of Evangelism based at Cliff College and previously Superintendent Minister of the St Ives and Hayle Circuit. He has been responsible for four listed buildings and also churches in conservation areas. He is a Director of the Methodist Recorder; he also has considerable media experience having been the main religious presenter on Westcountry TV. He is passionate about mission and using buildings as a resource for outreach.

 

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