The History and Role of R&DBPT

The 1960s and early 1970s were years of rapid change, affecting the whole social fabric of the country and this was nowhere felt more painfully than in the twin disciplines of planning and building, regulated as they were by county and local authorities.

Unfortunately, in many towns and cities across the country, ambitious modernisation schemes, aimed at much of the country's housing stock, were too often equated with aggressive, indiscriminate demolition programmes.

Much of the property had, indeed, been neglected by the dislocations of the preceding half century, largely caused by the effect of two world wars on a previously settled population, but the instrument for solving the problem was blunt and insensitive with the result that vast swathes of buildings, many with considerable historic value, were swept aside and with them familiar townscapes also disappeared.

Other buildings were boarded up to rot or to be vandalised while apathetic councils procrastinated on their future or unscrupulous speculators waited for the site values to rise – the era of planning blight had arrived.

Romsey did not escape during these times and complete streets were razed to the ground as space was created for council flats, car parks and other schemes, invariably with little heed to the appalling effects on the townscape. Some of the buildings that survived the swathe of demolition found themselves adjacent to architecturally unsympathetic new schemes due to indifferent planning control.

Others were developed inappropriately because of new buildings regulations that took little account of the scale and structure of the older properties.

Lack of imagination and short-sightedness thus resulted in a decade when many an important building, created in an era of fine craftsmanship, could be demolished simply because it had damp walls or did not have an inside toilet.

1970's

Founding members of the Romsey and District Buildings Preservation Trust, formed in 1975, had, in the previous year, already assisted in the formation of the Romsey and District Society and, indeed, The Trust began its life as a sub-committee of the Society before becoming registered as a Charitable Company, Limited by Guarantee, in its own right.

The Society came into existence on a huge wave of public disquiet as a result of the local Council's neglect of the town's buildings and historic environment in general: it was hoped that The Society would fight any political battles that arose and that The Trust would then take over and act as a positive and practical catalyst by demonstrating that there were often financially sound and realistic alternatives to demolition and, if necessary, would take on the work itself.

The role of The Trust was to buy, restore and resell houses or other buildings in the immediate locality that were threatened or were considered to be beyond economic repair. The Trust has a realistic philosophy for its raison d’être that has changed little since its conception. This is not to “conserve at all costs”, since many old buildings are neither of sufficient architectural merit nor is it feasible to retain them.

The Trust has never sought confrontation with local authorities, although at times this has proved to be unavoidable. Council Officers may be influenced by political expedients, but The Trust is, and will remain, an impartial body whose sole aim is to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment for the benefit of the inhabitants of Romsey. The impact of the activities of The Trust is apparent in many parts of Romsey, not least in Cherville Street, where international recognition of its work culminated in the presentation of a prestigious Europa Nostra Award in 1984 for the restoration of a group of 12 houses.

1980s and 1990s

By the end of the 1980s, The Trust had accumulated a modest working capital, sufficient to purchase buildings at short notice and to compete favourably with developers who appeared to be interested in acquiring property for their site value alone.

These resources permitted all schemes to be completed to a high standard and they have indeed often acted as a catalyst for the improvement of other buildings in areas of sad decline. In the last 25 years a change in local Government policy has removed the significant funding provided by discretionary grants and this, together the upsurge in property prices, has made it more difficult for the Trust to undertake new schemes with a proportionately diminished capital reserve. However, where a building is either listed or in a conservation area, the Architectural Heritage Fund has often been of great support with loans available to assist with both the initial purchase and the restoration. Although making a profit has been important to permit the financing of future schemes, the Trust has, on occasions, been prepared to make a loss on the restoration of a building that was too important to neglect.

Each proposed new scheme is put out to tender in the normal way but The Trust has been fortunate in finding local building firms whose craftsmanship and experience have consistently produced excellent results.

For many of the earlier schemes, The Trust used the local firm H and F Bundy, although several builders were used for the later schemes. For more recent projects such as the restoration of Kingsdown Cottages in King's Somborne and 131 Middlebridge Street and the Latimer News in Romsey, The Trust, has contracted out the work itself.

After the restoration of a building, an Open Day is held for members of the public to view and learn about the restoration and each completed property bears a dated plaque with the insignia of the Trust and the date when the work was completed. The properties are usually sold on long leases (150 yrs) with restrictive covenants to prevent significant alterations to the buildings without the consent of the Trust. Over a period of over forty years, The Trust, with help from the local Authority, has only needed to use this sanction once and this was to enforce the rebuilding of an internal timber-framed wall.

2000's

Until recently, Romsey and District Buildings Preservation Trust has been fortunate to have had John Trowbridge (1929 – 2009) as the architect for all the schemes and to have benefited from his wealth of practical experience in this type of restoration work.

Almost as long serving, has been Michael Woodhall who has given essential and accurate valuation advice on most of the projects the Trust has undertaken. Ian Payne has helped the Trust when structural engineering advice has been required and Kevin Stubbs, as an archaeologist specialising in building conservation, has been a ready source of informed advice.

Legal support has been provided by two local firms: for nearly 20 years by Anthony Attlee and, more recently, by Martin Russell of Bells of Romsey. The accounts of the Trust were initially managed by George Davies, the Manager of Lloyds Bank and his successor, Michael Gouldbourne. Following their retirement, The Trust recognised that this onerous task could no longer be an entirely honorary appointment and for the last 30 years Elisabeth Hands has meticulously produced monthly and annual accounts. Christopher Lainé was the Hon. Treasurer from 1990 until 2004. The willingness of all these experts to support and advise the Trustees at their regular meetings has underpinned the working of the Trust and has enabled it to remain active throughout its entire existence. The officers of the Trust are elected annually at an AGM and the Trustees themselves serve for three years and can then be re-elected.

Dr Peter Johnson acted as Chairman from 1975 until he retired in 1996 when Dr John White took over until his sudden death in 2000 to be succeeded by the current Chairman, Professor Peter Shoolingin-Jordan. Professor Shoolingin-Jordan has also documented photographically all the restorations of The Trust since its foundation. Most importantly, The Trust has been exceptionally fortunate to have had Dr Frank Akerman as Hon. Secretary who, as one of the original founder-members, has provided not only vision and inspiration but also enthusiasm and dedication without which The Trust would have long ceased to function. In 2016, after over 40 years as Hon. Secretary, Dr Akerman has finally placed this key post in the safe and capable hands of James Laffeaty .

Because of the expertise gained over the past 40 years, The Trust may be able to help anyone planning to set up a trust, or even an individual considering a restoration project. Members of the Trust can be contacted through the c/o Bells, 5, Market Place, Romsey, SO51 8XF, Hampshire.