See http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pps5
CLG news release:
Housing and Planning Minster John Healey today confirmed the new
planning policy to make heritage assets the centrepieces of rejuvenated
towns and cities, and protect the historic environment for future
generations.
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.
Notes to Editors
1. The new Planning Policy Statement (PPS) will replace Planning Policy
Guidance Notes 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment, published in
September 1994) and 16 (Archaeology and Planning, published in November
1990). The final policy statement can be viewed at:
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pps5
2. The PPS will be supported by guidance prepared by English Heritage.
This may be found on the English Heritage website at
www.english-heritage.org.uk/pps
3. The White Paper 'Planning for a Sustainable Future', published in May
2007, underlined the Government's aim to achieve a significant
streamlining of existing planning policy guidance and statements by
separating out policy from guidance.
News Releases: www.communities.gov.uk/newsroom
Contacts
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