In July 2003 the consultation paper "Protecting our historic environment: Making the system work better" set out ideas for improving the system for protecting buildings, above and below ground archaeology and other land-based heritage assets.  

The proposals contained in the consultation document aimed to deliver:

• a positive approach to managing the historic environment which would be transparent, inclusive, effective and sustainable and central to social, environmental and economic agendas at a local and community as well as national level; and
  
• an historic environment legislative framework that provided for the management and enabling of change rather than its prevention.

Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward contains a summary of the responses to this consultation paper, and a summary of responses to the Historic Environment Records consultation.  It also sets out a series of measures by which the Government aims to achieve effective and lasting reform.

Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward PDF (934kb)

(Hard copies available from DCMS, Historic Environment 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH or  Tel: 020 7211 2357/2349)

Related Information:
Consultation Papers:

Protecting our historic environment: Making the system work better
Historic Environment Records: Benchmarks for Good Practice - Consultation Paper

Press Notice:
Looking Forward To The Past: Heritage Minister Sets Out The Future For Heritage Protection