1.  St Helena has a rich array of historic buildings, including a unique collection of Georgian buildings dating from the 18th and early 19th centuries, mostly located in Jamestown, and a significant number of sites occupied by the remains of batteries or signaling stations: The Trust values these buildings and sites as an invaluable and irreplaceable part of the island’s heritage and character and believes they should be conserved for future generations.

2. The Trust is committed to working with the St Helena Government and all other interested parties to conserve the island’s historic buildings according to current best practice as defined by the Burra Charter of the International Commission on Monuments and Sites. To achieve this objective the Trust recommends an update of the 1974 Crallan Report on Listed Buildings and of the Jamestown Enhancement Plan.  In updating the Crallan Report, the Trust recommends that every significant historic building and site should be listed according to its architectural interest, historical interest or associations and/or group value.  The Trust recommends the use of the following system of grading to show the relative importance of listed buildings:

(Note: this grading accords with the system used by English Heritage and would therefore be recognized by the UK and internationally)

Grade 1                        Buildings of  exceptional interest

Grade 11*            Particularly important buildings of more than special interest

Grade 11            Buildings of special interest warranting every effort to preserve them

The above grading should be applied to individual historic buildings or sites and also to significant groups of buildings, where only one or more within the group merits listing in its own right.

3.  The Trust believes that it is vital to both the culture and the economy of St Helena to maintain and enhance the character of its unique heritage of historic buildings and sites. It also recognizes that the conservation of historic buildings is a dynamic process. As far as practicable, therefore, they should be used for their original purposes. Where this is no longer possible, the Trust accepts that alteration or adaptation is acceptable, provided that architectural or historic character is not altered.

4.  The Trust will seek to set a good example when restoring or maintaining any historic building or site in its ownership or under its management and will always endeavour to provide public access to such buildings and sites.

5.  The Trust recognises the long-term damage done to historic buildings both aesthetically and structurally, by the use of inappropriate techniques and materials, such as cement-based mortars and renders. To ensure the survival of St Helena’s historic buildings and sites, it will therefore promote the use of traditional techniques and materials and in particular, the use of lime-based mortars and renders. 

6. The Trust will support the introduction of legislation that provides protection for historic buildings and will continue to work to identify funding sources for the restoration of historic buildings, including the establishment of a grant scheme by the St Helena Government or other sponsor for private owners of historic buildings.

7. The Trust will continue to advise St Helena Government on matters concerning the conservation, restoration and adaptation of historic buildings through the Land Planning and Development Control Agency.

8.  The Trust will seek to be established as a statutory consultee on all Planning applications affecting historic buildings and sites.

9. The Trust will support the introduction of Compulsory Purchase Orders under which the St Helena Government may take ownership of a listed building in order to prevent its further deterioration while understanding that such action would only be taken as a last resort.

10. The Trust will continue to seek to raise interest in and awareness of the value of the island’s historic buildings, and to promote understanding and appreciation of them to residents and visitors through open days, publications, DVDs and other appropriate media.

11. The Trust will continue to develop the National Heritage Register which will include Historic Buildings and sites and to keep it up to date. The Register will record changes to the state and use of such buildings, also additions and other developments.