The Pressure points we find reveal a skills landscape in conservation that is critically fragmented and side-lined, often due to prejudices and short-term objectives. Inevitably, lessons are ignored, opportunities missed, and money wasted, as demonstrated by: Wasted investment The debacle of publicly-funded retrofit insulation recently highlighted by the National Audit Office, well-meaning but un-informed and exceptionally damaging. A small part of that funding targeting heritage-related VAT relief, such as in refurbishment and repair, would create demand, underpin skills and deliver sustainable outcomes. Sidelined successes and missed opportunities Traditional & craft skills, whether achievements or challenges, are barely recognised outside their own areas. For trade skills, calls for better regulation tied to skills are passed over. Professional conservation accreditation schemes underpin specialist standards, but practitioner numbers are tiny and many key professions have yet to grapple with the issue. Though planning sits at the heart of today’s challenging balance of development and environment, critical support still demands the most energetic lobbying. Pressure Points 5 Scan here to access references & related links
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