§ Sir Julian CritchleyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what powers his Department has in respect of preventing Flander's Folly, Craven Arms from falling into disrepair and dilapidation. [15357]
§ Mr. SproatResponsibility for the upkeep of a historic building rests primarily with its owner. In the case of a historic building which has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation may be at risk, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State looks to the relevant local authority to take statutory action. Local authorities are empowered to serve notice on the owner of a listed building specifying works necessary for its preservation and, in the event of the owner failing to take action, to begin compulsory purchase proceedings. Authorities also have power to carry out works which are urgently necessary for preservation of an unoccupied listed building and recover the costs from the owner.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has similar statutory powers to those of local authorities. Her policy is to treat them as reserve powers, for use only in exceptional cases. On the information available, Flander's Folly, which is listed grade II, seems unlikely to be such a case.