Prior to 1954 APRS referenced its founding date as the first minuted meeting in April 1927. In 1954, however, APRS decided to change the date of foundation to 1926, crediting this letter from Frank Mears to the Scotsman, published on 19 December 1926.
Why the organisation decided to change the date of it’s foundation in 1954, and put the words ‘Founded 1926’ onto its logo, is a mystery which we hope to uncover by looking at the minutes of meetings from 1953 and 1954.
RURAL SCOTLAND.
PRESERVING ITS BEAUTY,
A PROPOSED COUNCIL.
TO THE EDITOR OF “THE SCOTSMAN
15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh,
December 16, 1926.
Sir – The Council of the Edinburgh Architectural Association have had under consideration the possibility of the foundation for Scotland, of an organisation similar to the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, which recently held its first meeting in London at the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Duplication of such organisations is not always desirable, but in this case, not only have we problems of our own in Scotland, but the energies of the C.P.R.E. are likely to be fully engaged in such the South; indeed, their title would seem to preclude them from operating here, although many of the Societies represented on their council are concerned with the whole country and a Scotsman, the Earl of Crawford, has been elected President.
There is great need for watchful care at this time in respect of what remains unspoiled of our countryside, because every urban authority of any size is now compelled by statute to work out, in the course of the next two years, a definite plan to govern its future development. Further legislation is foreshadowed which will lay a similar responsibility on County Councils.
In England, not only are Local Authorities planning their own districts, but in a large number of cases they are combining to promote regional schemes covering very large areas, now largely rural, and much will depend on the spirit in which their plans are worked out. If progress has been slow in Scotland, there is now the greater danger that insufficient consideration may be given to the matter on the plea that time is limited, and thus great harm may result through the projection of urban or suburban ideals on an unresisting countryside. Again, spoiled districts are being intersected by arterial roads which, in many parts, are being ringed by wretchedly designed and built bungalows and motor stations. In fact, in the rush to escape from the congested cities we are in danger of destroying the beauty of our refuge. The tragic process may be seen intensively at work all round Edinburgh, while a mixture of industrialism and suburbanism has ruined the beautiful shores of the Forth from Crammond to Port Seton.
Disaster on an even greater scale is overtaking the Clyde, and before long we may expect to see the glens bepatterned in the same way.
The matter is not simply one of aesthetics for, as the Minister of Health pointed out at the meeting referred to above, this kind of “ribbon” development is not only offensive, it is uneconomical. It weights the roads with a new volume of traffic which should not be necessary; it carries with it an extravagant burden for Local Authorities, since the costs of drainage, lighting, cleaning, watching, and road repairs are all greatly increased without adequate return.
Both the Ministry of Heath and the Ministry of Transport have promised their help. provided that they are backed by properly organised and educated public opinion, and it is to meet this need that the CPRE has been founded. Its council embraces representatives of 21 existing Societies including representatives of County, Rural, and Urban Councils’ Associations, the Institutes of Architects, Surveyors, and Town were Planner, the Motoring Associations the National Trust, as well as bodies concerned with Women’s Rural Institutes Social Service, Agriculture, Foot paths, Housing. &c. It is our hope that a similar council may be established for Scotland, and we commend the idea to the various bodies and individuals interested.
Pending arrangements being made for a preliminary public meeting. we shall be glad to receive communications and suggestions at the above address.
I am, &c.
F. C. Mears
President, Edinburgh Architectural Association.
