28 Y E A R B O O K 2 0 1 5 Saltaire is a well preserved model Victorian industrial town, built for philanthropic and commercial reasons by Titus Salt to accommodate his textile workers. In the words of the UNESCO inscription, Saltaire’s ‘textile mills, public buildings, and workers’ housing are built in a harmonious style of high architectural quality and the urban plan survives intact, giving a vivid impression of the philanthropic approach to industrial management’. In its gridded layout, and the attention to detail displayed in its architecture and streetscape, the village reflects a Victorian paternalism that influenced the future development of social housing provision for industrial communities in the UK and beyond. In addition to over 800 houses, most of the original community and public buildings and spaces remain intact and all are designated or listed, including Roberts Park, the United Reformed Church (containing Salt’s mausoleum), the mill buildings (containing retail, gallery and commercial accommodation; Bradford District Care Trust (BDCT); and residential flats), the Workers’ Institute (now Victoria Hall, a community venue), the schools and the Dining Room (now Shipley College buildings), the alms houses and the infirmary and dispensary (now converted into flats). Despite relatively few building fabric losses, Saltaire suffered a period of decline before the mill finally closed in the 1980s and it was through several early efforts and initiatives that the village was recognised with a Europa Nostra Conservation Award in 1997 for its conservation-led regeneration. These initiatives included: • the establishment of Saltaire Village Society, which campaigned for the village’s protection and regeneration • the formation of Saltaire Traders’ Association • Jonathan Silver’s transformation of Salts Mill into an arts, leisure and business complex with PACE electronics as a major tenant • the establishment of BDCT and Shipley College in the village • the reopening of Saltaire’s railway station. By the late 1990s the village was increasingly perceived as an attractive area to move to – a product of its architectural integrity and its proximity to Leeds by train – and this was reflected in its popularity in the local housing market. The conferment of world heritage status cemented the local reputation of the area and the period up to the economic crash of 2008 saw many efforts to conserve or restore the external fabric of individual houses, supported initially by local authority grants for masonry restoration and the reinstatement of original pattern doors and windows. Originating in single private ownership, the village now contains hundreds of individual listed building owners responsible for the care and upkeep of its architectural heritage. This makes its conservation management complicated in terms of communication and coordination. Essentially, Saltaire is now a piece of town, contiguous with the wider area of Shipley, and with the ongoing public services requirements of any urban area. Its richness as a place to live, work and relax offers both opportunities and threats to the protection and conservation of its ‘outstanding universal value’ (UNESCO’s benchmark for world heritage status), bearing in mind that safeguarding for the future is often best delivered through continued economic and social use. For example, managing and increasing the popularity of Saltaire as a visitor destination, and the positive and negative implications of this in heritage terms and for local residents was an obvious issue to address. Complementing the original Saltaire Project Group, the new WHS steering group came together in March 2013 with a remit to consider matters relevant to protecting and conserving Saltaire’s outstanding universal value and to sustaining the local economy, since this underpins the village’s conservation. Its objectives have been to identify the benefits and opportunities that world heritage status brings to the local community, to identify issues and threats facing the village, to advise BMDC on consultation and engagement with local organisations and community interest groups, and to develop a vision and management plan for the future. The steering group comprises representatives from a broad range of organisations and interest groups chosen to offer relevant knowledge and experience of life in and around the village including BMDC, English Heritage, Saltaire Village Society, Shipley College, BDCT, Canal & River Trust, Saltaire Traders and Saltaire United Reformed Church. Developing an understanding of Saltaire as a place prompted early discussions among the steering group panel and a draft vision statement was agreed that framed the development of the new management plan around themes of sustainability and community. This was tested in two workshops organised to gauge local agendas, values and priorities related to the village. The first workshop was an invitation event for identified stakeholders attended by 32 external organisations plus council officers and elected council members. As well as debating a short- and longterm vision, invitees participated in a SWOT analysis (evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) around themes on protecting and conserving, interpreting, sustainable transport, economic sustainability and tourism, and management. Participants were also asked to propose ‘Big Ideas’ and to collectively identify priorities. The second event was a world heritage forum for local residents, run in a similar way. Each event generated different Bronze statue of Sir Titus Salt in Roberts Park, Saltaire (Francis Derwent Wood RA, 1903)
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