The City Heritage Society was created in April 1973 under the umbrella of the residents’ association for the new Barbican development. Brainchild of two Barbican residents, Douglas Woodward (later its founder-chairman) and stockbroker-conservationist Anthony Henfrey, its early days were as the Barbican Association Conservation Group. The objective of the Group was to provide resident input into the new City Conservation Area Advisory Committee. More
particularly it sought to end the destruction of the City’s remaining Victorian buildings – prize targets for the developers. The Group attracted an immediate and large-scale response, first from the new Barbican residents and soon from workers and others having a concern for the City’s heritage.
In 1977 the group became the City Heritage Society to reflect this wider membership, and its remit: “To preserve and improve the amenities of the City of London for the public benefit, by stimulating interest in its history, promoting good architecture and planning and by protecting, preserving and improving its buildings, open spaces and other features of beauty, or historical or public interest”.
In 1978 the City Heritage Society was registered with the Civic Trust as the City’s conservation and amenity body, and as a charity.
Since then the Society has been actively associated with every aspect of City planning, development and building conservation including such major battles as the 10-year fight to save Mappin and Webb from the No. 1 Poultry development and Norman Foster’s proposals for the bomb-damaged Baltic Exchange.
In its earliest days the Society fought, successfully, to maintain the building heritage of the City’s lanes, passageways and alleys – such as Bow Lane and Lovet Lane – and to thwart the destruction of the exuberant architectural façades found along Eastcheap. Its concern with the St. Bartholemew’s area has helped maintain this area of the City as an oasis of conservation and civilised development.
In order to combat the City’s devotion to large-scale development in 1978 the Society, in partnership with the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers, established the City Heritage Award to make an annual award for “outstanding excellence” in building conservation described as “An eleventh-hour attempt to encourage property developers, architects and builders, to think of renewal and refurbishment rather than wholesale demolition and redevelopment”. It has worked extremely well, recipients ranging from finding new uses for redundant banking halls to some very grand refurbishments including Mansion House, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Royal Exchange (see awards page for more information).
The late Ann Woodward’s more than thirty-year programme of visits and other social events has helped maintain a devoted membership. The original lamp post logo, designed by Vera Dawkin, was replaced a decade ago by the City Arms.
Since the 1970’s City Heritage has spoken out against the City’s seeming obsession with what it considers to be over-blown office developments whether enormous “banking factories” or more particularly “skyscrapers”. Its mantra has been that the City’s fame rests on its attraction to home and international companies as providing superb “headquarters” facilities – with the major ancillary requirements housed in Canary Wharf.
In spite of this difference of opinion with Guildhall it is noteworthy that City Architects and Planning Officers, Planning Committee Chairmen and other senior City figures have always acknowledged the important role played by the Society in the planning process.
In March 2008 Douglas Woodward retired as Chairman after 34 years in that post becoming President of the Society until his death in 2016.
For further information see “Saving the City’s Heritage, A history of the City Heritage Society 1973-2003” by C. Douglas Woodward, published by Historical Publications Ltd for the City Heritage Society in 2003.