THE REVIEW OF POLICIES RELATING TO THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
As you all know, English Heritage is co-ordinating a major review of
policies relating to the historic environment. This is the first time that
every aspect of England's historic environment has been considered in this
way. As Sir Neil Cossons has said it is a 'once-in-a-generation'
opportunity to create an entirely new, integrated approach to managing our
historic surroundings for the next century.
SMR participation
You will be aware that the second phase of consultation began on Monday 26
June and we hope that you will all play a part in this review by responding.
Every Local Authority will receive copies of the consultation - a folder
containing five discussion papers and an introductory paper, Our questions
for you, which identifies themes and key questions. The consultation papers
have been sent to around 3,500 people and organisations within the heritage
and conservation world, including SMRs, Conservation Officers and Heads of
Planning, as well as to a wide range of groups including the Association of
Parish Councils, the British Council of Shopping Centres, the Civic Trust,
Shelter, organisations representing a wide range of faith communities,
wildlife and environment organisations, and selected schools.
You can obtain copies of the discussion papers in PDF format from our
website at
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/eh/home/news/HOT_NEWS/HREVIEW.HTM or get
hold of printed copies by telephoning English Heritage Customer Services
(01793 414586).
What is the Historic Environment review?
The Review covers all aspects of the historic environment and will outline a
strategic policy framework, including specific recommendations for action,
covering the next 25 years. The Government - DCMS and DETR jointly - has
asked English Heritage to co-ordinate the review. It is not an English
Heritage review but one carried out by the whole historic environment
sector.
How is it being carried out?
Five Working Groups and a co-ordinating Steering Group, chaired by Sir Neil
Cossons, were convened in March this year, after an initial round of
consultation to scope the review which generated over 200 responses. The
membership of these groups includes representatives from a wide range of
heritage bodies including the Local Government Association, the Amenity
Societies, CABE, the Black Environmental Network, the National Trust and the
Heritage Lottery Fund. Their initial thoughts are contained in the five
discussion papers, each of which considers a different way of engaging with
the historic environment:
* Understanding
* Belonging
* Experiencing
* Caring
* Enriching
Responses should be sent by e-mail to [log in to unmask];
<mailto:[log in to unmask];> by post to Sam Bravo, Historic
Environment Review Co-ordination Team, Room 332, English Heritage, 23 Savile
Row, London W1X 1AB; or by fax to 020 7973 3001.
Written responses to the questions and issues raised by the papers should
reach us by 4 August 2000. We have also commissioned extensive market
research by MORI.
What happens after the consultation?
The results will be analysed within English Heritage and considered by the
Working Groups and the Steering Group in September. A concise final report
will be submitted to Ministers and published at the end of November 2000.
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