HC Deb 17 April 1973 vol 855 cc87-9W
Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to complete the re-evaluation of grade III listed buildings;

(2) how many grade III listed buildings are currently undergoing re-evaluation.

Mr. Channon

On completion of the first survey of England by 1970, approximately 141,000 buildings had been graded III. The whole country is now being re-surveyed and several thousand grade III buildings have already been up-graded and included in the statutory lists. Another 7,000 grade III buildings are in the 15 local authority areas being re-surveyed at present. In addition to reassessing grade III buildings, the survey investigators are for the first time searching out and reporting on the best buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian periods, and also buildings which are of special interest on account of their "group value". The full programme of revising the lists is expected to take a number of years to complete.

Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inspectors his Department employs on a full-time basis on the re-evaluation of listed buildings.

Mr. Channon

Of the 18 investigators of historic buildings, 15 are engaged full time on re-survey work, the others on supervisory duties and giving advice on individual cases.

Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the protection presently afforded to grade III listed buildings.

Mr. Channon

No. There is no protection for grade III buildings. That is why no buildings have been listed in grade III since January 1970 and a principal aim of the re-survey of the whole country now under way is to add as many grade III buildings as are eligible to the statutory lists. Even if they are not so eligible, they can, like any unlisted building, be brought within control by a local authority, provided that they are within a designated conservation area.

Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions exist at present for publicising grade III listed buildings; and if he will consider extending these provisions.

Mr. Channon

Grade III buildings are not subject to the statutory provisions relating to statutorily listed buildings and there is no requirement to publicise them. Local authorities have details of all grade III buildings in their areas and some make these available for inspection by the public on request. Because they enjoy no statutory protection, no buildings have been listed in grade III since January 1970, the general re-survey of the country's buildings now in progress aims to up-grade to the statutory lists all grade III buildings which are eligible.

Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the existing machinery available to the public for suggesting additions to the supplementary list of listed buildings.

Mr. Channon

Yes. Anyone can suggest to my Department additions to the statutory lists of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. Last year, in addition to the general re-survey, 2,000 buildings were statutorily listed by individual emergency action, generally as a result of such suggestions, or of action by local authorities. In addition, anyone can suggest to a local authority that it should bring under control any building in a conservation area.

Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the criteria used by the inspectors of his Department in grading listed buildings.

Mr. Channon

A summary of the principles of selection is in the free booklet "Protecting our Historic Buildings—A Guide to the Legislation", which is obtainable from the Department or from the offices of local authorities. A copy is sent to every owner whose building is statutorily listed and I am sending one to the hon. Member.

Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish an appeal procedure against a decision not to list a building.

Mr. Channon

A decision not to list a building can be taken only on the grounds that the building is not of special architectural or historic interest, and on that I am required by statute to take expert advice. I am satisfied with the arrangements for obtaining such advice, which include in appropriate cases the advice of the Historic Buildings Council.

Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to include all buildings presently on the supplementary list as a new grade III within the statutory list.

Mr. Channon

No. The buildings must first be assessed on current listing criteria to ensure that they are of special architectural or historic interest, since if they are not of special interest I have no power to include them in the statutory lists. In the areas so far reviewed, more than half of the buildings previously graded III were found to qualify for upgrading to the statutory lists and were added to them.