Parliamentary ‘Conservation, Places and People’ APPG (CPP APPG) launches first Inquiry as it ‘… Probes Regeneration Of Historic Places’: Call closes 29/01/2021

Westminster’s new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on ‘Conservation, Places and People’, formally established in September and chaired by Layla Moran MP, with the IHBC as its Secretariat, has embarked on a first public inquiry into the ‘regeneration of historic places’, with the call for evidence closing on 29 January 2021.

… just how valuable heritage can be in helping to regenerate…

Layla Moran MP, Chair of the APPG, said: ‘I’m looking forward to making a start with this inquiry. Like many MPs, I’m aware of just how valuable heritage can be in helping to regenerate our towns and high streets.’

… viable and sustainable future for historic places …

David McDonald, Chair of the IHBC, said: ‘The formation of the APPG is timely indeed. As we see a glimmer of light at the end of the Covid tunnel, our historic buildings and areas are in a fragile state. The APPG has the potential to be a powerful force in showing that there is a viable and sustainable future for historic places.’

 … first public inquiry … pandemic hit high streets will be under the spotlight …

David Blackman, CPP APPG lead consultant for the IHBC as its Secretariat, writes on behalf of the APPG:

Preserving and regenerating our most treasured neighbourhoods and pandemic hit high streets will be under the spotlight as a new all-party parliamentary group (APPG) embarks on its first public inquiry.

The APPG on Conservation, Places and People, which was formally launched in September and is chaired by Layla Moran MP, has announced its inaugural inquiry into how heritage can promote growth and regeneration.

High streets have suffered particularly badly during the Covid-19 pandemic, deserted by office workers and shoppers alike due to social distancing. Many of these neighbourhoods, which form the historic hearts of our towns and cities, were already under pressure before the pandemic struck though.

… an initial call for written evidence … submitted by Friday, January 29th… followed by a series of virtual oral hearings …

The APPG’s new inquiry will explore how restoring and finding new uses for prized local landmarks can help to regenerate surrounding communities and enhance a sense of place increasingly valued following this year’s lockdowns.

The inquiry will probe the financial and policy barriers thwarting the reuse and regeneration of historic buildings and areas, including whether the UK’s exit from the EU offers the government an opportunity to cut the VAT rate for refurbishment projects. The inquiry into the value of heritage will conduct an initial call for written evidence.  This will be followed by a series of virtual oral hearings, led by members of the APPG, to cross examine invited experts and key stakeholders.

… how restoring and finding new uses for prized local landmarks can help to regenerate surrounding communities…

The terms of reference are available on the website of the APPG on Conservation, Places and People at conservationplacespeople.appg.info.

Responses to the call for evidence should be submitted by Friday, January 29th, 2021 to contact@appg.info. The inquiry’s call for evidence is being launched as the APPG on Conservation, Places and People held its first Parliamentary briefing yesterday, Wednesday, December 2nd

Layla Moran MP, Chair of the APPG, said: ‘I’m looking forward to making a start with this inquiry. Like many MPs, I’m aware of just how valuable heritage can be in helping to regenerate our towns and high streets….’

David McDonald, Chair of the IHBC, said: ‘The formation of the APPG is timely indeed. As we see a glimmer of light at the end of the Covid tunnel, our historic buildings and areas are in a fragile state. The APPG has the potential to be a powerful force in showing that there is a viable and sustainable future for historic places.’

The APPG has been established to support efforts to use regeneration of the historic environment to help deliver thriving and sustainable places.

The APPG is supported by the IHBC, which is the professional body for heritage practitioners.

For more details about the inquiry and the briefing, contact David Blackman at the APPG’s Secretariat on 07748 165852 or at contact@appg.info

View and download the Inquiry Call

View and dowbload the Press Release

See more background to the CPP APPG

See more background from the IHBC on the CPP APPG

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