SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PRACTICE

The Trust adheres to the Brundtland Commission definition of sustainability: 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' and seeks to ensure sustainability in its activities with regard to best conservation practice and care of the built and natural environment.    This policy is implemented in the following ways:

Ÿ	Projects proceed with the active and responsible participation of owners of buildings, landowners and funding bodies; 

Ÿ	Best practice in traditional building methods and materials is used, under the guidance of a conservation architect;

Ÿ	Repairs retain as much of the existing fabric as possible and use appropriate methods and materials; 

Ÿ	Replacements - original fabric or fixtures or fittings will only be replaced where they are incapable of being repaired; new work would be undertaken on a precise like-for-like basis unless research justifies reversing a previous alteration and returning to a known earlier form.    

Ÿ	Removals - there will be no demolition of any historic fabric, fixtures or fittings.    

Ÿ	Alterations - are kept to a minimum, sufficient only to bring the building back into productive use. Changes will be implemented in such a way as to minimise loss and disruption of the existing fabric.    Alterations will as far as possible be devised and implemented in a reversible manner.

Ÿ	The Trust seeks to minimise waste in its projects and to dispose of waste appropriately;

Ÿ	Landscaping and siting of signs is sensitive to local conditions.