§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to protect and preserve Hadrian's Wall. [25836]
§ Mr. BanksI have been asked to reply.
Hadrian's Wall is statutorily protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and any proposals for works affecting it require the prior written consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The fact that the Wall is a World Heritage Site also means that its outstanding international importance is a key material consideration when planning applications are considered. The Hadrian's Wall Management Plan, published by English Heritage in July 1996, identifies medium and long-term objectives for managing the Site and provides mechanisms under which all bodies responsible for the Wall can co-ordinate their activities.