§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the criteria which must be met in order to conserve landmarks. [118000]
§ Dr. Howells'Landmarks' as a term could cover many features of the built and natural environment. There are two statutory designations that fall within the remit of this Department: listing and scheduling.
The Secretary of State's criteria for listing buildings are: architectural interest; historical interest; close historical associations with nationally important people or events and group value.
The Secretary of State's criteria for scheduling ancient monuments are: period; rarity; documentation; group value; survival/condition; fragility/vulnerability; diversity and potential.
§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to expand the criteria for conserving landmarks. [118001]
§ Dr. HowellsThe protection of landmarks, whether scheduled monuments or listed buildings, falls within the review of heritage protection legislation announced in 'The Historic Environment: A Force for our Future' and currently being carried out by the Department in partnership with English Heritage. The review aims to put in place a framework for managing the historic environment which enables a more comprehensive view to be taken of historic assets than is possible under current legislation.