Memorandum submitted by English Historic
Towns Forum (EHTF)
As you may be aware, the EHTF was founded in
1987 to support professionals working in the historic built environment
and involved in the management of conservation areas. Through
its Membership and Partnership schemes it offers everyone with
an interest in historic towns and cities of England opportunities
to exchange and develop ideas, and facilitates exchange with European
colleagues.
The historic environment is valuable for a range
of reasons; not only does it reinforce that special "sense
of place", it can also provide sustainable urban living with
a mix of uses, legible townscape and a permeable and pedestrian
friendly environment. In addition, it plays an important role
in the delivery of public policy objectives, including supporting
local communities through sustainable economic regeneration, social
inclusion and education. The community, as a whole, values the
historic environment and other heritage assets, and the EHTF welcomes
the opportunities that the Heritage Protection Review will bring
to assist local communities to understand and value the heritage.
However, there is widespread concern about the resource implications
of the proposals, for both English Heritage and Local Authorities,
and the EHTF hopes that this area can be explored in conjunction
with the publication of the White Paper.
The EHTF welcomes the opportunity to make representations
to the above inquiry. We appreciate that the oral evidence are
already in session, but would be grateful if the following issues
could be taken into consideration;
— The resources required to successfully
implement the Heritage Protection Review—both financial
and professional.
— Clarification and reinforcement of
the roles and responsibilities of the ODPM and DCMS in relation
to the historic environment, and their relationship with English
Heritage.
— Raising the profile of heritage interests
across government departments (for example, a re-examination of
VAT levels on the repair of listed and historic structures
could be of huge benefit to the historic environment as a whole).
— Reintegration of the value of culture
and heritage with land use planning—nationally, as well
as locally.
— Strengthening the protection and
enhancement of the special character of conservation areas by
improved statutory protection. (For example, reviewing permitted
development rights and clarifying the position regarding demolition
(with reference to the Shimizu case). This could be of tremendous
benefit, where for instance, small incremental changes have a
detrimental affect on the character of conservation areas.
13 April 2006
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