Local Authority Guidance (Hansard, 9 July 1993)

§ Mr. Brooke

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have just issued for comment a major new statement of Government policy for historic buildings and conservation areas. This is the first major re-statement of the Government's policies for conservation since March 1987. It reaffirms our determination to protect the 500,000 listed buildings and 7,500 conservation areas which are so important a part of this country's cultural heritage. It emphasises the role of the planning system in striking a balance between the interests of conservation and the need to provide for sensible development. At the same time it reflects recent changes in the legislation; major court judgments since 1987; and some recent reassessment of priorities, for instance for the listing of historic buildings.

This statement will be revised in the light of public comments and then published jointly by our two Departments as planning policy guidance note 15. As such, it will be of central importance for some years to come for a wide range of decisions affecting historic buildings and conservation areas. We hope, therefore, that everyone with an interest in conservation policy will let us have his or her comments on the draft.

At the same time we are issuing a consultation paper on the effectiveness of planning controls in protecting the character and appearance of conservation areas. The paper seeks views on the extent to which problems currently exist and on possible solutions. It invites full public discussion of a range of options, with a view to striking the right balance between protecting the heritage and minimising bureaucratic controls over businesses and private citizens, both of which are important objectives of Government policy. The decisions we take in the light of public responses to this consultation paper will be reflected in the final version of PPG 15.

I have arranged for copies of both documents to be placed in the Library.