Technical advice

Flooding and Historic Buildings in Wales provides guidance on ways to establish flood risk and prepare for possible flooding by installing protection measures. It also recommends actions to be taken during and after a flood to minimise damage and risks.

Aimed principally at home owners, owners of small businesses and others involved with managing historic buildings, Flooding and Historic Buildings in Wales explains how to approach the protection of traditional buildings and avoid inappropriate modern repairs in the event of flood damage.

Sources of further information and practical help are listed at the end of the document.

Fibrous plaster is a form of decorative plasterwork composed of plaster of Paris, reinforced with layers of hessian and secured within a timber framework. It was used to imitate more expensive and time-consuming traditional lime-based, hand-modelled plaster. Although fibrous plaster is often associated with the Victorian and Edwardian theatre and music hall, it was fitted in a wide range of buildings in the UK. However, it is often unrecognised, and has been ignored in technical research and conservation guidance over recent decades.

This document is interim guidance for conservation professionals and building managers responsible for buildings with fibrous plaster in the UK. It was prepared by Historic England in association with Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw, Welsh Government, and the Historic Environment Division of Northern Ireland. Historic England is undertaking research on the material and more detailed information will be published in due course. This guidance focuses on fibrous plaster ceilings, since they present a potential risk of collapse if neglected. It begins with the history of fibrous plaster, and then explains forms of deterioration, current survey standards, methods of repair and finally, management of buildings with the material.

Managing Easy Access to Listed Buildings in Wales explains how to plan and improve physical access to listed buildings in Wales. It uses real-life examples, ranging from minor improvement works to high-quality modern design solutions, to show how better access can be achieved.

It also explains how improvements in access can take account of Cadw’s Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales and summarises the regulatory framework that governs changes to listed buildings.

Managing Easy Access to Listed Buildings in Wales is intended to help all those who own, manage or occupy listed buildings in Wales. It should also assist those who plan alterations or advise on alternative forms of service provision. It is especially relevant for those listed buildings that offer services to members of the public, such as catering, banking or shopping, or which people visit for leisure, work, worship or education purposes.

Although Managing Easy Access to Listed Buildings in Wales applies specifically to listed buildings, the approaches described here are applicable to any historic building in Wales.