New policy on the historic environment – Draft PPS 15
The government has issued a consultation paper proposing revisions to both PPG15 – Planning and the Historic Environment and PPG16 –Archeology and Planning. The new PPS15 aims to make the most of England’s historic assets such as Victorian railway stations and canals. It brings together policies on archaeology, historic areas, buildings and landscapes in order to give better protection to the historic environment.
The new PPS15 is accompanied by detailed guidance from English Heritage promoting the use of the historic environment to inspire new buildings and development of imaginative and high quality design.
It also introduces the new concept of a “heritage asset” with a view to encouraging people to see the historic environment as a positive asset rather than as an obstacle to development.
Concerns have been raised however that this new concept has not been set out in primary legislation and has not been sufficiently defined which could lead to uncertainty as to how it will be applied. In particular, it is unclear how this new concept fits in with the existing system of listed buildings and areas designated in order to secure their protection.
The consultation paper entitled “Consultation paper on a new Planning Policy Statement 15: Planning for the Historic Environment – July 2009” can be viewed on the DCLG website.
