Aimée L Felton 2012

20 the conservation profession in the 21st century is to now match the impressive theoretical rhetoric available within literature with proactive management and action. Many public bodies throughout the UK are expressing increasing concern towards the maintenance of historic buildings. Attention is directed towards the organisations who too often decide to dispose of the assets without due consideration of their worth or ensuring their sustainable future is secure (PRT. 2009:p7). It is to be considered though that owners of heritage buildings, whether heritage or non-heritage focused organisations are in a powerful position to demonstrate exemplary practice of how historic buildings can be used in a modern context, in a good state of repair for modern, relevant use. Heritage legislationwas introduced toEngland in 1882,through the ratification of the Ancient Monuments Act (Pendlebury, J. 2001, as cited in Pickard, R. 2001:p289), although the legislation is extraordinarily extensive and flexible in regards to listed buildings, ancient monument, parks, landscapes and urban areas, the philosophy behind the initial doctrine has not evolved since the time of Ruskin and Morris at the foundation of SPAB. The leading concern regarding current legislation is the failure to adapt following recent changes in social awareness and appreciation to heritage. Alongside the increasingly impending need to change and upgrade buildings in line with government targets for 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 (www.climate2050.com . 2010). Two•Three Evolution of Maintenance Conservation TWO Chapter Two - Context Aimee Felton