HC Deb 21 December 1982 vol 34 cc513-4W
Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inspectors for listing buildings there are in post compared with October 1974.

Mr. Macfarlane

In 1974 there were in England 18 inspectors—then called investigators—carrying out field work and drawing up lists of historic buildings under section 54 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.

There are now 13 inspectors engaged on this work. In the main their work is to monitor some 40 field workers employed by local authorities under contract to the Department to assist in the listing resurvey. The Department also expects to draw upon a similar number of field workers from the private sector starting in the early months of 1983.

Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for listed building consent are awaiting decision by his Department.

Mr. Macfarlane

My Department is considering 385 applications for listed building consent including applications for the demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas.

These applications are broken down as follows:

Number
Applications called in for my decision 56
Applications by local planning authorities 136
Appeals against refusal of listed building consent 124
Appeals against listed building enforcement notices 69