Heritage application changes due soon

Communities and Local Government has signalled changes in the arrangements for handling heritage applications in England which will mean fewer will be notified to the Secretary of State.

The revised regime will come into force next month as a result of a new direction, details of which have been published in circular 08/2009. 

Its effect is to extend the categories of listed building consent applications which local planning authorities are not required to notify to the Secretary of State. 

With effect from 1 December 2009 the Secretary of State will only need to be notified of applications where the local planning authority is minded to grant consent and has received written objections from English Heritage or one of the six National Amenity Societies covered by the direction. 

At present the Secretary of State has to be notified, broadly, of all applications which the planning authority is minded to approve affecting Grade l and Grade ll* buildings as well as those applications for Grade ll (unstarred) buildings which involve the demolition of the principal building, the principal wall of a principal building, or a substantial part of the interior. 

The circular is clear that the new rules will not result in any reduction of the necessary levels of protection, but help to simplify procedures. The Secretary of State will still retain the option to call in any application where it is thought necessary to do so.

Access Circular 08/2009

 

Roger Milne

19 November 2009