Campaigner cites Pride as principle of Levelling Up
David Barton has his say on the issues facing Southport and Sefton.
David Barton believes the region's Traditional Vernacular Architecture should be a part of the LU objective.
A prominent campaigner for the heritage of Sefton is actively encouraging Central Government to make the procurement on new Traditional Vernacular Architecture a key objective as part of its Levelling Up mission delivery by 2030.
Levelling Up (LU) is a core principle and defining aspect of Central Government designed specifically to improve commerce and enterprise across all four compass points of the UK. The concept focuses upon granting people based in areas formerly prosperous in centuries gone by to regain their economic impetus in the Digital Age bringing newfound and renewed opportunities alike for all age ranges.
The primary purpose of the Policy is to bring mass-scale improvement to each of the devolved nations of the UK that have been historically proven to be key economic drivers for the entire country. There is a particular emphasis on areas requiring a heightened level of support to unleash their full economic potential thereby benefiting the corresponding regions and their associated conurbations.
Pride in Place or Placemaking is one of the main missions specified as integrating the strengths of a local area with its civic past for the modern day. This theme considers breaking down social divides and balancing economic distribution so that whole areas can become more prosperous and fiscally independent as seen in previous generations where a particular trade or industry was a major part of the area’s success.
David Barton, former Councillor for the Dukes Ward covering the Town Centre and West Birkdale, has and continues to champion high-quality Placemaking and the merits to supporting all parts of society ever since 2014. He affirms that Pride in Place or Placemaking is a key nucleus that interconnects many if not all of the objectives set out in the Levelling Up Programme.
The community campaigner, whose ultimate focus has been and remains the restoration of Sefton believes that Levelling Up poses a great opportunity for many communities and the wider Traditional Architecture cause. He maintains that there are many commercial, community and climatic grounds with which to support Pride in Place, not least the wide-scale assistance with producing appropriate area design codes.
Mr. Barton says: “Levelling Up as typified by Central Government has much to offer all four corners of the UK, not least the Borough of Sefton which could if done properly be a true exemplar of a traditional architectural renaissance for other locations based across the country.”
He says: “Central Government should particularly strive to utilise the Programme to fill the void between academia and the finished product which has been lagging in our part of the globe for many decades now since the 1940s.”
“I would urge Central government to therefore pursue a number of achievable goals that can and will actually make this style of preferred construction available to all and mainstream where the relevant factors have been accounted for.”
Mr. Barton has outlined a series of key factors from canvassing that Central Government can pursue to make Traditional Vernacular Architecture more mainstream as part of its Levelling Up Programme:
- Production of authentic local Design Codes with qualified Traditional Vernacular Architects that are non-pastiche.
- Education of newer Architects as to timeless classical styles thereby making Traditional Architecture more accessible for everyone.
- Sourcing of raw materials with cost-effective incentives for those businesses involved in the supply chain.
- Substitution of older inferior quality materials for authentic replica ones that are more durable and visually identical yet fit for modern-day weather.
- Incentives for proper sized homes and the reintroduction of attractive lower-level terraced housing that brings better mental health and enable easier visitation by friends and family.
- Green Credential Points based system awarding contractors using sequence of authentic design codes with as much renewable yet durable raw materials, such as wooden beams, etc. that are rich in carbon storage.
Get all the latest news, updates, things to do and more from Southport, Merseyside's dedicated InYourArea feed.
