§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will restore statutory protection for those previously grade 3 listed buildings of local interest; if he will reinstate the local list for designated conservation areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyGrade III was a non-statutory category of buildings of mainly local interest which did not qualify for the statutory list and, consequently, never did enjoy statutory protection. The category was abandoned almost 20 years ago with the start of the national resurvey of listed buildings, now nearing completion. Those former grade III buildings which have been reassessed during the national resurvey, which satisfy the current listing criteria as buildings of special architectural or historic interest, and which are thought to be of more than local interest, are now included in the statutory lists.
I assume that by "local list" my hon. Friend is referring to the list of important conservation areas which was included in circular 23/84. English Heritage was to be notified of planning applications which might affect the character or appearance of areas on this list. This arrangement was, however, superseded in 1987 by a requirement to notify English Heritage of any development in any conservation area exceeding a specified size. The purpose of this is to enable English Heritage to concentrate on more significant development proposals affecting conservation areas.