Written evidence from English Heritage
English Heritage is keen to support the newly
constituted Local Enterprise Partnerships in understanding and
promoting the role the historic environment plays in stimulating
local economies. In particular, we would like to emphasise the
ways in which development thus informed can support sustainable
regeneration. Local initiatives such as Birmingham's Jewellery
Quarter and commercial developments like the Regents Quarter at
Kings Cross in London, show how our built heritage can contribute
to successful, quality developments which strengthen an area's
local distinctiveness and business potential. In addition to its
role in regenerating an area, it is estimated that in the UK heritage
tourism generates £11.9 billion of GDP and employment for
270,000 people. It will be important for LEPs to have access to
expert advice to ensure they can take advantage of these opportunities.
We hope that LEPs will draw on and maintain the successful
experience of predecessor bodies. There are examples in many localities
of initiatives and measures put in place which are worth maintaining
and pursuing. These include:
— The South West Regional Development Agency
was the major funder of the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration
Company. This company has played a key role in regenerating areas
of Gloucester by bringing key partners together—to bring
about development that restores local heritage of international
importance while introducing new community, educational and commercial
facilities.
— One North East (the Regional Development
Agency for the North East) was one of the founder members in establishing
and funding Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd, a new type of development
company set up to maximise the contribution Hadrian's Wall can
make to the social, economy and environmental regeneration and
well-being of local communities through sustainable tourism development
and management of the World Heritage Site. Since its establishment
it has been responsible for championing local produce; providing
visitors to the North with one stop shop for information through
their website; destination marketing; and individual projects
such as "Illuminating Hadrian's Wall" in which over
1,000 volunteers helped to light the 84 mile length of this World
Heritage Site.
We hope such successful initiatives can be maintained
within the new structures.
ENGLISH HERITAGE'S
ROLE
English Heritage is an Executive Non-Departmental
Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport, with our funding agreement signed by CLG and DEFRA. We
work in partnership with central government departments, local
authorities, voluntary bodies and the private sector to conserve
and enhance the historic environment, broaden public access to
our cultural heritage, and increase people's understanding and
appreciation of the past.
We are the UK Government's statutory adviser
and a statutory consultee on all aspects of the historic environment
and its heritage assets. This includes archaeology on land and
under water, historic buildings sites and areas, designated landscapes
and the historic elements of the wider landscape. Conservation
Principles sets out the guidelines for engagement with the historic
environment which have informed Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS5).
13 August 2010
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