§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what study he is making of a more open listed buildings system; what sources of information are available to his Department; and what proposals he has to initiate information-gathering about listed buildings other than from English Heritage. [16544]
§ Mr. DorrellI recently announced that I was introducing public consultation on listing proposals for post-war buildings and those arising from other thematic studies carried out by English Heritage. The possibility of extending consultation to other types of listing will be discussed in a heritage Green Paper which I will publish later this year.
Documentary information on buildings proposed for listing is available from a number of published sources including the national monuments record, and from inspections made by English Heritage. In deciding whether to list a building I take into account any information, from whatever source, which is relevant to the assessment of the building's architectural or historic interest. I hope that the new arrangements for public consultation will enable owners and members of the public to contribute to the process of appraisal.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what criteria he has for the commercial disposal of listed buildings; and what obligations apply in respect to the need to obtain the highest price. [16541]
§ Mr. DorrellThe terms of disposal of listed buildings are ultimately a matter for the individual vendor. However, so far as the disposal of Government historic buildings is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 8 MarchOfficial Report, columns 174–75, in which I announced the publication of a new guidance note for Departments. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to introduce more flexibility into listings of grade II listed buildings. [16540]
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§ Mr. DorrellI propose to publish a Green Paper later in the year which will invite public discussion of the need of greater flexibility. Among the possibilities which may be worth considering is a more selective approach to the listing of buildings already protected by conservation area designations; and a new power to list only the exteriors of certain buildings.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he hopes to legislate to require Departments to obtain consent from the local planning authority for the demolition or alteration of listed buildings, and for the demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas along the lines he announced at the centenary dinner of theArchitects' Journal.
§ Mr. DorrellLegislation will be introduced at the earliest opportunity.