PROJECT - TRUST POLICIES
1. In its aim of conserving the Old School, the Holywood Old School Conservation Trust has two main objectives:
- Conservation objective which is to retain as much as possible of the original fabric of the building and to conserve both its outward appearance, at least from the road side, and much of its inward appearance. While it is accepted that some original fabric may be lost, the following requirements are paramount:
- The windows and the exterior to the front and sides should remain unaltered.
- The roof beams should remain exposed and the hall should not be divided.
- Where possible original materials should be re-used, especially in the roof and hall.
- A viability objective which is to find a sustainable use, or mix of uses, for the building which is both consistent with the conservation requirement and is likely, for the foreseeable future, to earn sufficient revenue to maintain the conserved building as a going concern. It would also be preferable if the use of the building could be of direct benefit to the community in Holywood.
2. The Trust realises that there could be some conflict between its two objectives, in particular if changes to the building are desirable in order to improve its revenue earning potential and thus its sustainability. Therefore, while seeking to achieve its conservation objective, the Trust is prepared to accept some changes to the building, such as a larger rear extension and/or some changes in internal arrangements, if these are consistent with its listed status and the Trust's paramount requirements and are necessary to fit it for viable use. However should changes not be visible from the road and should be appropriate to the rest of the building.
3. Other policies of the Trust will be:
- To use best-practice conservation and repair techniques.
- To use recognised and experienced conservation architects and engineers.
- To find appropriate uses for the building which minimise the impact of adaptation and intervention.
- To provide for flexible use of the building in case future needs should change.
- To ensure that any new construction or extension work would be of a quality commensurate with the heritage property.
- To ensure that the completed building is properly managed and not damaged by mis-use.
- To safeguard the finished project by drawing up and following a programme of planned maintenance.
PROJECT LINKS
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