The new guidelines provide the first integrated approach for developers and
councils to work together to restore and enhance historic buildings, as
well as monuments, parks, gardens and industrial sites.
The planning policy for the historic environment has been strengthened
following extensive consultation, and sends a clear message that our
heritage should be protected and viewed as a catalyst for regeneration,
rather than a barrier to development.
The new approach will ensure that individual heritage assets get the level
of protection they deserve, and changes to the historic environment make an
important contribution to tackling climate change and promoting green
development.
A detailed Practice Guide from English Heritage accompanies the new
guidance and explains how councils and developers can apply the new
policies, and use heritage assets such as old theatres, churches and
factories to inspire imaginative new development and high quality
design.
John Healey said:
"Our country has a rich heritage, with a unique set of buildings, monuments
and landscapes that are highly prized by the people who live near them as
well as tourists from all over the world.
"Heritage assets can never be replaced, which is why I'm giving councils
the expert tools they need to make these assets the centrepieces of local
regeneration while protecting our historic environment for future
generations."
Phil Kirby, Immediate Past President of the Planning Officers' Society
said:
"The Planning Officers' Society welcomes the changes made by Communities
and Local Government in response to the concerns raised in the original
consultation document. The new PPS5 strikes the right balance between the
conservation of our heritage assets as a matter of utmost importance but
allowing flexibility for change in the 21st Century."
Improvements to the final policy statement include:
- definitions of what makes a building, monument or landscape
significant, so it is easier for councils and developers to understand the
impact of the proposed change;
- greater emphasis on the role the historic environment can play in
regeneration and economic development, to encourage heritage to be seen as
an asset rather than a barrier to development;
- explaining the range of information sources councils and developers can
use to assess the impact of their applications on the historic environment;
and
- reinforcing the presumption in favour of protecting designated heritage
assets
Communities and Local Government
