The CLG and CMS Committees are to take no further action on PPS15 as the Planning Minister promises further consultation
On 22nd January, the Heritage Alliance received a copy of the Minister for Planning’s response to a letter sent by the Chairs of the CLG and CMS Parliamentary Committees in December 2009, asking him to commit to further consultation on the draft planning policy statement on the historic environment (PPS15).
The original letter was drafted as a result of overwhelming stakeholder concern about the PPS expressed in correspondence to the Committees during the consultation. In his response John Healey MP acknowledges the extent of misgivings and explains that discussions have taken place with English Heritage and the DCMS as a result.
The Minister also emphasises the importance of considering all views and as such every one of the near 500 responses to the PPS consultation is to be assessed by the end of January. This assessment will shape the strategy for handling those aspects of the PPS requiring clarification/alteration but while this “will certainly require some further consultation with stakeholder organisations”, the Minister does not provide further details.
A copy of John Healey’s response was attached to a letter from the Clerks of the CLG and CMS Committees addressed to the Heritage Alliance. The letter explains that in light of CLG’s plans for further consultation and the limited time available in this late stage of the Parliament, the Committees will take no further action at this time. However, they may reconsider this position should the Committees receive notification of dissatisfaction with the process or result of the next round of consultation.
A copy of the letter can be viewed here
Questions on heritage protection asked in the House of Commons and the House of Lords
On December 14th Caroline Spelman, Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, asked the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations his Department has received from (a) the Royal Town Planning Institute and (b) heritage or conservation groups on the revision of PPS15.
Secretary of State, Ian Austin, answered that the Department received nearly 500 responses to the consultation exercise and that one of these was the joint response from the IHBC and Royal Town Planning Institute, while over 50 were from heritage or conservation groups. According to Mr Austin all responses are now being considered, and a summary and analysis will be published before the end of January 2010.
Transcript available here
On December 3rd Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat) put two questions to the House of Lords asking the Government about whether planning legislation reform will be implemented to enable control over partial demolition and development in conservation areas and what steps they will take to reform planning regulations to close the gaps in heritage protection caused by the 1991 South Lakeland and 1997 Shimizu judgments.
The questions were drafted by the Heritage Alliance Heritage Protection Reform Coordinator at Lord-Clement Jones’ request.
The transcript of the questions, with answers from Lord McKenzie of Luton, are available here
CMS & CLG committees ask Planning Minister for further consultation on PPS15
On 14th December 2009 the Chairs of both the CLG and CMS Parliamentary Committees sent a letter to the Minister for Planning, John Healey MP, calling on him to commit to further consultation on the draft planning policy statement on the historic environment (PPS15).
MPs Dr Phyllis Starkey (CLG) and John Whittingdale, (CMS) drafted the letter as a result of overwhelming stakeholder concern about the PPS proposals expressed in correspondence to the Committees during the consultation. A number of heritage sector organisations were forwarded the letter including the Heritage Alliance, IHBC, APT, the UK Association of Preservation Trusts, the Historic Towns Forum, JCNAS and SPAB.
The letter highlights recent media reports in which the Planning Minister committed to redrafting the PPS and to clearing up any confusion, particularly on the unclear language of the draft, before publishing the final statement. It points out that the Minister has however not yet committed to consulting stakeholders on the redrafted PPS. Consequently the Committees urge the Minister to commit to ensuring there will be adequate opportunity for comment on the redrafted policy before it is finalised, to reassure stakeholders and the two Committees that the Government is treating their concerns seriously.
If the Committee members feel that stakeholders’ concerns are not allayed then weight of opinion is such that the Committees may consider taking oral evidence on the PPS.
View the letter here
Heritage Alliance and English Heritage Training and Development Survey
The Heritage Alliance with English Heritage have conducted a survey to explore the training & development needs of the heritage voluntary sector in light of Heritage Protection Reform (HPR). Thanks to all those who contributed their thoughts on how we might develop future training and prioritise resources to support the voluntary sector’s role in managing the Historic Environment. Please watch this space for progress updates.
English Heritage to take on Listing administration duties
From the 2nd November 2009, English Heritage will take on all administration of the listing system from the DCMS. The changes will help to achieve the aims of to the ongoing heritage protection reform programme by making the process more streamlined and transparent. Owners, local authorities and applicants will now have the opportunity to comment on information collated by English Heritage on a building before their recommendation goes to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for consideration.
It is hoped that consultation with a wider audience will result in a more comprehensive understanding of a building, which will better inform the decision-making process. Importantly, the option to consult will remain flexible to allow for a swift response in protecting buildings at immediate risk. The take over of duties also includes notification, compilation and amendment of the List of designated sites on behalf of the Secretary of State. A more detailed explanation of the changes is available on the English Heritage website here.
