HC Deb 04 March 1980 vol 980 cc154-5W
Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about exemptions of churches from listed building control; what arrangements are being made for reviewing the present procedures; and if he will give consideration to the need for planning authorities to be empowered to serve repairs notices on churches which have been declared redundant but for which no future use has been agreed.

Mr. Monro

I am aware that other people share the concern expressed by the Historic Buildings Council in its annual report for 1977–78. The agreement reached with the Church authorities in 1976 was that the ecclesiastical exemption from listed building control would be reviewed in 1982 at the end of the five year initial period of the scheme for grants for churches in use. I shall consider the problems mentioned by my hon. Friend at that time.

Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in reviewing the exemptions of ecclesiastical buildings in use from listed building control, he will consider the need for certain expert bodies to be given statutory rights to be consulted as in ordinary planning inquiries.

Mr. Monro

My hon. Friend is presumably referring to consultation with the national amenity societies about application for listed building consent to demolish buildings. I shall consider this when the question of the ecclesiastical exemption is being considered in 1982.