Restoration Experts Welcome Government's Proposals to Celebrate Country's Heritage

With David Cameron urging Britons to celebrate their heritage and take more pride in the country’s landscape and history to help rebuild the UK’s economy and encourage tourism; those who work in the sector are welcoming this attitude shift. Conservation and restoration experts City & Country Group, who fight to save architectural treasures across the south east of England and transform them into modern, high quality homes, whilst enhancing the experience of public access, are amongst those who see the abandonment of the “Cool Britannia” image, in favour of a focus on “heritage” as a step in the right direction.

Helen Moore, Managing Director at City & Country Residential, comments: “We are delighted that the Prime Minister has laid out plans for a whole new approach to its tourism strategy, which will be centred around the UK’s history and cultural heritage. We should be proud of our national assets, many of which are extremely old and beautiful, but have been neglected and under-promoted by the UK’s tourism drive over the years, in favour of popular culture. Our rich heritage is vital to what our country has to offer tourists and we should remember to celebrate and honour it.”

At the King Edward VII Estate in Midhurst, Sussex, City & Country Group have laid out plans to restore, refurbish and enhance a series of measured pine walks with public access, which is hoped will not only improve the appearance and ecology, but also enhance the estate’s contribution to the surrounding South Downs National Park a popular  tourist destination. The measured walks were originally recommended for tuberculosis patients at the hospital, so doctors could prescribe the right walk with the correct gradient depending on their condition.

Cameron’s shift to focus on heritage comes at a time when English Heritage recently released their annual Buildings at Risk Register, which revealed that one in 32 Grade I and II buildings are currently at risk of neglect and decay in the UK*. City & Country Group, who have developed an outstanding reputation as ‘best in class’ for the sensitive restoration and regeneration of neglected historic buildings, are hopeful that Cameron’s strategy will see the future of many of these buildings being secured, as the Prime Minister calls for Britain to ‘show off’ its attractions to the rest of the world.

Helen continues: “City & Country Group is one of few developers, who have been working to recognise the plight of these historic assets for many years, and seeking to ensure that some of the best examples of British heritage are restored to their former glory, in order that they can be enjoyed by future generations. By giving these buildings a totally new lease of life and converting them into sought-after properties, City & Country Group hope that they can secure their long term and sustainable future.”

 For further information about the proposals to restore King Edward’s VII Hospital estate, please see the community consultation website at: www.edwardvii.co.uk.