HISTORIC buildings watchdog English Heritage has been challenged to defend its policies by Tavistock Town Council, after it rejected a conversion scheme proposed for Court Gate in Bedford Square.
The council is owner and guardian of several important Listed buildings in the town. It recently undertook a feasibility study into moving to Court Gate as its present offices in Drake Road do not come up to standards of the new Disability Discrimination Act.
But English Heritage vetoed any internal alterations to the building, which is Grade I Listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument, saying the proposals would damage the special architectural interest of Court Gate.
Now town clerk Roger Howard has written to English Heritage, asking for the organisation's position on the new disability access laws.
He said: 'This building was seen to be an ideal location for us, being central, and if occupied able to be visited by members of the public, rather than locked and empty.
'It is un-lettable for any purposes and has been standing empty for many years. A used building is also cheaper and easier to maintain than an empty one.'
Col Howard said architect's plans to sympathetically modify the building were sent to English Heritage for their views — a letter was sent back rejecting the ideas.
'The letter has effectively consigned the old building to remaining locked, empty and mouldering away rather than being a used and valued part of the town. Is this really what English Heritage is all about?' he said.
Col Howard said councillors feel Heritage officers are 'unable to acknowledge' that the Disability Discrimination Act requires that changes have to be made to buildings.
The council is now considering further consultations with national bodies like the Local Government Association and National Association of Local Councils, to see how problems caused to the owners of old properties by English Heritage's attitude can be solved.
Andy Shipley, policy analyst with the Disability Rights Commission, said: 'There is an on-going problem between access and preservation.
'What people should be considering is conservation, not preservation — conservation of the on-going life of the building in a viable way, rather than preserving it in aspic and therefore limiting its future as a working part of the community.'