This is a short history of the Civic Movement in England adapted from the Brief History of the Civic Society Movement by Lucy E Hewitt published by Civic Voice in 2014.

Nineteenth Century

The history of the civic movement in Britain dates back to the nineteenth century, as a result of people living in urban areas taking more of an interest in the places they lived in. This was particularly so in rapidly growing cities such as London. The educated urban middle classes began to come together to campaign for parks and gardens, for better housing and the protection of old buildings threatened by rapid urban growth. People began to take an interest in the distinct local identity of where they lived and developed a sense of civic pride in that identity and their local heritage.

In the latter half of the nineteenth century national organisations were formed such as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings  established in 1877 in response to the work of Victorian Architects whose enthusiasm in updating older buildings was causing irreparable damage to these buildings, whilst the National Trust was founded in 1895  to “promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest“. During the twentieth century local civic societies began to be established in towns and cities such as Guildford in 1896, Farnham in 1911, London in 1912 and Birmingham in 1918.  More national campaign groups followed, such as the Ancient Monuments Society (1924), the National Playing Fields Association (1925) and the Council for the Preservation of Rural England (1926)  

Coming together

In 1923, the first conference of civic societies was held in London, organised by Sybella Branford, who defined what a civic society was.

 ‘The Civic Society exists to discover, maintain and develop what we may call the Soul of the City…The most obvious expression is in the buildings…Here desires and aspirations are crystallized in stone and brick, embodied in the use of art and nature…Here is recorded the history and tradition of each place, and here also we look for its possibilities.’

In towns and cities, there were local initiatives that sought to oppose unregulated development in the countryside around them such as the Cambridge Preservation Society (1928). They argued that development needed to be properly planned and controlled. Members of the Society even provided funds to buy approximately 590 acres of land around Cambridge including land alongside roads, to prevent ribbon development.

In 1938, the first national organisation was formed for Civic Societies. The Central Council for Civic Societies  was intended to act as a source of information for local groups, convening periodic meetings and encouraging the formation of societies in cities where none existed. Viscount Esher, its first Chairman, argued that:-

“civic problems in these days are indissolubly entwined with national. The great trunk roads run through the cities; housing and town-planning are nation-wide in their application. The central government, intent upon its national scheme, ignores local objection and rides rough-shod over local sentiment.”

He therefore argued that unity was required amongst civic societies, to prevent the erosion of localism.

The case for collaboration on planning

In 1957, Duncan Sandys, who had spent three years as Minister for Housing, left his post convinced that the tradition of Britain’s voluntary associations must play an increasing role in shaping towns and cities, a view shared by his political colleagues. He therefore formed the Civic Trust in 1957. Its inaugural conference was attended by 300 delegates. By this time many civic societies had sought to achieve a more collaborative relationship between them and other voluntary associations and local authorities over a long period of time. Some had achieved a higher level than others, but the greater profile of Civic Trust resulted in a higher level of collaboration.

At this time the Town & Country Planning Act of 1947 was beginning to have an impact. Local authorities were granted more planning powers and funding, thus enabling them to employ planning professionals and properly plan new development schemes. The resulting increase in planning activities by local authorities resulted in considerable public debate about two aspects that had long been the focus of the civic movement, conservation and public participation in the planning system.

Conservation Areas 

Civic Trust played an instrumental role in shaping the Civic Amenities Act of 1967, which Duncan Sandys introduced in the House of Lords as a Private Members’ bill. This provided for the designation of areas of special architectural or historic interest, the preservation and planting of trees, and improvements in the removal and disposal of abandoned vehicles. The bill had cross-party support and was passed. At the Civic Trust conference in October 1967, before an audience that included ministers, representatives of business, professional bodies, local authorities and civic society members, Sandys pointed to the importance of the Act at a time when building materials and techniques enabled potentially radical innovation:-

“In this age of steel and glass construction, new buildings are so incomparably larger than those they replace, and so markedly different in character…This does not imply that modern buildings are out of place alongside those of earlier periods. But it means that architects and planners today have a greater responsibility to show respect and understanding for the work of their predecessors… This Act requires local authorities to give notice before approving new development in a Conservation Area which could detrimentally affect its character. This will give the public, and in particular the amenity societies, the chance to express their opinion and to make their influence felt.”

The first conservation area was established in Stamford in 1967 just two months after the Act was passed.

The Civic Trust in England ceased to exist in 2009, and its role was taken on by Civic Voice, which represents the organizational continuation of a long-standing commitment to support the contribution of voluntary groups in the development of urban centres throughout the country.