§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take following the House of Lords judgment in the case of Shimizu (UK) Ltd. v. Westminster City Council in 1997. [126967]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMy Department and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have today jointly issued a consultation paper inviting views on whether any further action should be taken by Government following the House of Lords ruling in this case. The paper proposes that an application for planning permission should in future be required for certain works of partial demolition within conservation areas, such as the demolition of boundary walls and fences.
The proposals issued today are designed to address problems that have been identified as arising as a direct result of the Shimizu judgment. They are separate from, and do not prejudge, the broader review of heritage policy which my hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts announced in November 1999.
Comments are requested by 14 August 2000. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.