Introduction

Heritage protection is a significant aspect of the planning system.

Heritage protection legislation, policy and systems extend statutory protection to historic buildings, conservation areas and monuments.  The significance and protection of these places is also a material consideration, to be responded to in development plan and supplementary policy making and in development management decision making.

Reform Processes

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport issued a heritage white paper in 2007.  The RTPI developed a joint response to the white paper with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation - bodies which jointly represent many building conservation and historic built environment experts.

• Click here to view the white paper and the joint response.

A draft Heritage Protection Bill was prepared in spring 2008, setting out the ways in which the government will translate its white paper into legislation.

• Click here to view the Department for Culture, Media and Sport explanatory material on the draft Bill.
• Click here to download your own copy of the draft Bill (large file)

The Bill has been the subject of widespread consultation.  The RTPI again worked jointly with the heritage professions, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Planning Officers' Society and the Chartered Institute of Building to prepare a comprehensive response.

• Click here to view the RTPI and joint heritage professions response to the Draft Heritage Protection Bill.
• Click here to view the RTPI and joint heritage professions supplementary response on conservation area proposals released for consultation after the publication of the draft bill.

The Bill is anticipated to be introduced into Parliament in the 2008-09 session, at which point members will have a further opportunity to influence the detail by commenting on clauses and potential amendments.

• Click here to email your views on the draft bill to the policy team.

Author:

Rynd Smith

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

20-Mar-07

Categories:

Policy 

Sections:

What Planning Does

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