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Planning for the Historic Environment

Putting Heritage at the Heart of the Planning System

Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church World Heritage Site Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church World Heritage Site Changes to the existing planning policy framework, part of Heritage Protection Reform, are delivering real benefits for the historic environment:

  • Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment, replaces Planning Policy Guidance notes 15 & 16 to bring heritage protection into the 21st century.

  • English Heritage worked closely with the Departments of Communities and Local Government and Culture, Media and Sport to deliver a modern planning policy framework in an important step forward in the delivery of a reformed Heritage Protection system;

  • PPS5 is supported by a Practice Guide,with further information on how to apply the policies in the PPS.

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What's New?

  • Industrial Heritage at Risk project launched
    Britain was the world’s first industrial nation and has a wealth of industrial heritage but many industrial sites have been lost or are at risk due to functional redundancy. English Heritage's survey has shown that the percentage of listed industrial buildings at risk is three times greater than the national average for listed buildings at risk.
  • Historic Environment: Local Authority Capacity (HELAC)
    The value of a well managed, protected and appreciated historic environment to both our quality of life and to the economy is well established. Heritage tourism contributes £20.6 billion to GDP a year whilst research shows that 93% of people think that in improving their local place it is important to save heritage assets.