Another Step Forward for Heritage Protection Reform in England
The CBA has responded positively to new guidance being issued to local authorities as part of the planning system.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has published a draft Planning Policy Statement and associated Practice Guide (with English Heritage and DCMS) in order to ‘reflect a more modern, integrated approach which defines the historic environment in terms of heritage assets to be conserved in accordance with a set of principles and in proportion to their significance.’ This is an attempt by Government to improve on existing guidance, PPG15 (for historic buildings) and PPG16 (for archaeology), which have been in place since the early 1990s.
The CBA views both documents as a progressive step in that they have the potential to maximise the public benefit of any archaeological investigation and enhance the understanding of the historic environment, building on the success of the current guidance over the last two decades. The emphasis on an evidence-based approach to plan-making and decision-making is one that fits well with archaeological methods for assessment and investigation.
Although England has around 400,000 recognised heritage assets – sites, monuments and buildings protected by statute through Listing, Scheduling or other forms of designation – the vast majority of archaeological information derives from the investigation of unprotected sites as part of the planning process. In the absence of the promised Heritage Protection Bill, the new PPS will send a key signal to local authorities on the importance of the historic environment to place-making. Resources need to be provided for local authorities to maintain skills and experience to operate the new approach, based around enhanced Historic Environment Record services. The PPS also emphasises the support for local authorities from the contributions of other expert groups, including national organisations like the CBA (itself one of the key National Amenity Societies) but also local groups who are often so knowledgeable and intimately acquainted with the history of their area.
However, the CBA has identified a number of areas where the consultation draft needs to be improved and strengthened in order to ensure that the new approach provides the intended clarification, consistency and certainty for decision-makers in the planning system. In particular, the unfamiliar terminology and new concepts introduced by the PPS, without the supporting legislative framework, will need considerable explanation and clarification to reassure the heritage sector that the new approach does not offer any opportunity for a weakening of present protection for heritage assets.
CBA Director Dr Mike Heyworth MBE said of the draft policy:
The new PPS is another in the right direction towards a 21st century planning system where the historic environment plays a central role. If the Government listens to the comments of the heritage sector on the consultation draft and develops its policies to benefit from our expert contributions then we believe that the PPS will represent a positive and welcome advance for heritage protection in England to maximise the public benefit and appreciation of our nation’s heritage.
See the CBA’s full response on both the PPS and the Practice Guide, as well as various relevant web links and consultation documents here.
A number of other organisations have responded to this major consultation, including:
