Following the consultation on these proposals, the Government published “Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward” , which proposed reforms to the ways in which we protect our historic environment. Following this publication, DCMS and English Heritage have introduced a number measures that were identified as not requiring legislation. These include:
- Transferring responsibility for processing listing applications to English Heritage
- introducing improved list entries for listed buildings
- introducing consultation with owners and local planning authorities on listing applications
- new information packs for owners of newly listed buildings
- a formal process for reviewing listing decisions.
top
Heritage Protection for the 21st Century White Paper: An analysis of consultation responses
The consultation on the 'White Paper, Heritage Protection for the 21st Century' closed on 1 June 2007, we received approximately 340 responses from a range of stakeholders and members of the public. The Welsh Assembly Government received approximately 50 responses commenting on the proposals in relation to Wales. These responses consisted of answers to the three specific consultation questions, and a wide range of comments on different aspects of the White Paper policy.
All of the answers to the questions, as well as the most mentioned other issues raised, have been summarised in the document, 'Heritage Protection for the 21st Century: An analysis of consultation responses', publised on 29 November 2007
The summary of the Welsh consultation responses will be available on the Cadw’s website within the next couple of days.
As a result of the consultation we have made the following policy proposals:
- We will merge conservation area consent with planning permission and will amend the Demolition Direction and general Permitted Development Order to restore pre-Shimizu levels of protection.
- We will produce statutory guidance promoting pre-application assessment for major developments.
- We will expand Certificates of Immunity in order that they can be applied for at any time and can cover entire sites.
These policy proposals, along with the proposals in the White Paper, will be included in the draft Heritage Protection Bill, which we intend to publish for pre-legislative scrutiny in the 2007/08 Session. .
top
Draft Heritage Protection Bill
As announced in the background briefing to the Queen's speech on 6 November 2007, a draft Heritage Protection Bill will be published in the 2007-2008 Parliamentary session.
