§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why School Farmhouse, School Lane, Wouldham, has been placed on the statutory list of buildings of architectural or historic interest without consultations being carried out with the Kent County Council or the Malting Rural District Council.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisMy right hon. Friend is not required to consult local authorities before including a building in the statutory lists of buildings of special architectural and historic interest; consultation would not be appropriate, since the decision must rest on an assessment of the architectural or historic merits of the building in accordance with national standards. The decision to include a building in the statutory lists implies no decision about its preservation. It does 171W require listed building consent to be obtained before the building can be demolished or substantially altered.