Memorandum submitted by the Greater London
Authority (GLA)
CONSULTATION ON DRAFT HERITAGE PROTECTION
BILL
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on
the draft Heritage Protection Bill 2008. The proposed legislation
will improve the planning process and help to preserve London's
heritage for future generations. It is particularly pleasing that
it makes provision for World Heritage Sites, four of which are
located In London. We look forward to working with English Heritage
to protect and enhance these and other heritage assets In the
future.
We are very keen to ensure that the proposed
legislation achieves its objectives as part of the broader spatial
planning system. In this context, we would ask ministers to review
two aspects of the draft Bill that might compromise my ability
to implement my vision for London.
1. London's heritage is of paramount Importance.
The Mayor supports English Heritage In their role of Identifying
assets that should be safeguarded for future generations and welcomes
measures that will enhance the organisation's ability to protect
those assets. It is crucial that heritage be given due consideration
in the planning process.
There are of course many other issues of equal
weight that must be considered in the development control process
such as climate change, transport, the economy and housing. English
Heritage does not have the remit, and may not have the resources
or expertise to consider these broader planning issues but its
decisions will directly affect London's development potential.
The Greater London Authority has the statutory responsibility
and expertise to consider the strategic Implications of land-use
planning decisions and could offer significant support to English
Heritage in Its role. We would welcome a framework for collaboration
between English Heritage and my office so that we can together
decide how to protect London's heritage within the strategic planning
context.
2. The Mayor is responsible for strategic
planning decisions in London and must account for a wide range
of economic and spatial development priorities, including heritage
protection. From time to time, it may be appropriate for him to
comment on decisions to include or remove an asset from the heritage
register. We would suggest that the Mayor should be included in
the definition of "relevant person" in clause 26 of
the Bill. This is particularly important for proposals that may
have strategic implications.
June 2008
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