Written evidence from English Heritage
(ARSS 114)
The Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) were helpful
in the articulation of the significance of the historic environment
and therefore provided a useful tool to support its management
and protection. In the absence of the regional Government Offices
and the Regional Spatial Strategy we would be happy to work within
any new, emerging structures provided that due weight was given
to the historic environment and that the necessary protection
was still in place. The recent publication of Planning Policy
Statement 5: planning for the historic environment provides
a powerful statement of the government's commitment to protection.
Whilst RSSs supported an integrated, co-ordinated approach to
local planning, the new Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) may
be better placed to support local distinctiveness, more community
driven solutions and, we would hope, greater understanding of
local heritage. In addition, because of the flexibility surrounding
their creation, LEPs will be able to operate within boundaries
that might be more appropriate for local businesses and communities.
The issue of what to do with the evidence that has
been collected and developed by Regional Development Agencies
in support of Regional Spatial Strategies needs to be fully considered
as a future tool for economic and social development. It is important
that the work that has gone in to collecting this data across
the regions, and the resource it represents, is not lost and where
possible that it is developed for continued use by local enterprise
partnerships.
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).
September 2010
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