Do you want to have a blue plaque on a building but have some questions? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.
Does the property owner need to give their permission
Yes. The owner of the building on which the plaque is to be mounted needs to give their permission. If there is a tenant, it would be best to ask for their consent too. Churches and some other public buildings may need to obtain authorisation from diocesan or equivalent bodies.
It may not be appropriate for some buildings to have a blue plaque and more than two Blue Plaques on a building may seem excessive.
Can a Blue Plaque go on a listed building?
Yes. If a building is listed by Historic England, then Listed Building Consent is required from Barnsley Council Planning Service. Getting it takes a minimum of eight weeks even if there are no issues raised; it involves three weeks of public consultation. Barnsley Civic Trust will normally make the application. If a building is ‘Locally Listed’ by Barnsley Council, listed building consent is not required.
How is the wording on a Blue Plaque chosen?
Barnsley Civic Trust will agree the wording of the plaque with the sponsors. The significance of the individual or event commemorated and their link with the building should be clear from the wording of the plaque but the wording kept brief.
The Blue Plaques under the scheme carry the name of Barnsley Civic Trust; occasionally they may also carry the name of a partner organisation.
How many words can go on a plaque?
The number of words –and in particular the number of characters– on a Blue Plaque must fit the plaque. We find that an 18 inch (44.5 cm) plaque can only take a maximum of 320 characters including spaces and punctuation. However less is often better. Some plaques with fewer words have more impact.
Does Barnsley Civic Trust provide the Blue Plaque?
Barnsley Civic Trust will order the Blue Plaque, arrange for its fitting and continue to retain its interest in the plaque, its condition and its siting.
Does a Barnsley Civic Trust Blue Plaque have a particular style?
Most Barnsley Civic Trust Blue Plaques are circular in shape, 18 inches (45.5 cm) in diameter. This is a size that fits in well with the typical position on buildings. An oval shape is an option to accommodate longer lines of words.
A smaller plaque, say 14.5 inches (37.5 cm), with fewer words, may be better on a smaller building or narrow wall-space.
The accepted style and standard is UPPER CASE (Capital) letters. There is also an additional charge for lower case.
With a blue background reflecting the name, Blue Plaques are cast in aluminium with raised/embossed white lettering and outside border.
Barnsley Civic Trust obtains its Blue Plaques from the Ridgequest Foundry, a small family business making handmade plaques since 1978.
How long does it take to get a Blue Plaque?
Once the wording of the plaque has been agreed, the necessary permissions and consents obtained and the funding provided, Barnsley Civic Trust will order the Blue Plaque from the RidgeQuest Foundry; it takes about six weeks from order to delivery. Ridgequest provides a ‘proof’ image as part of the process.
How much does a Blue Plaque cost?
The cost is usually from £400 to £600 depending on the size of the plaque.
Where should a Blue Plaque be fixed on a building?
The position of a Blue Plaque on a building should be chosen to enhance the historic value of the building and not harm its character or appearance.
A suitable position needs to be chosen to fit in with the structure and appearance of the building.
It also needs to be easily viewed by the public. It shouldn’t be placed too high or too low. Fixing at about 2 metres, just above head height, in line with lintels of doorways or windows, is often appropriate.
How is a Blue Plaque fixed to a building?
Blue Plaques are fixed to a building by two or three (provided) stainless steel screws to hidden mounting lugs on the rear of the plaque. The fixing is normally done in the mortar to avoid leaving holes in bricks or stone blocks if the plaque has to be moved. This is a requirement for listed building consent if the building is listed. Barnsley Civic Trust can arrange the fixing of the plaque.