The role of the local authority conservation officer is much misunderstood and maligned. My father, Peter Richards, who has died aged 94, did much to place the discipline on a proper professional footing and demonstrate what it could achieve. He headed a multidisciplinary team at Essex county council from 1974 to 1994 and led the restoration of important historic buildings and their gardens for public use, such as the Grade-I medieval barns at Cressing Temple near Witham – one of which is believed to be the oldest standing timber-framed barn in the world – and Copped Hall, Epping.
Peter combined sound conservation principles, a pragmatic approach and personal integrity. He was a founder member in 1982 of the Association of Conservation Officers, which in 1995 became the Institute of Historic Buildings and Conservation. Peter was aware that this was a young profession and was very supportive of younger officers who looked on him a role model. He also served on English Heritage’s historic building committee for six years.
