THA: Levelling Up etc Bill – Committee Stage Briefing

logoThe Heritage Alliance (THA) has issued a Committee Stage Briefing on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

… We would like a better understanding of what ‘enhancing’ would mean legally…

THA writes:

… Toplines

  • Heritage is at the heart of the Levelling Up and Place agenda and we are pleased Heritage is on the face of the Bill and has its own chapter, Chapter 3;
  • We strongly support Clause 185, which would make Historic Environment Records statutory, and which has been a long-term ask from the sector;
  • We also strongly support Clause 92 (extending the protection of heritage assets), and suggest there are a limited number of key additions to the heritage assets list that would ensure protection is clearer and more comprehensive;
  • We would like a better understanding of what ‘enhancing’ would mean legally in Clause 92;
  • We have some questions about the replacement of Environmental Impact Assessments, which will be replaced with Environmental Outcome Reports (Part 5, Clause 116). It is good that cultural heritage is included in these proposals, as the historic and natural environment are dependent on each other, but we need some more information on how EORs will work and it is important to ensure that the definition of cultural heritage in the Environment Bill is not used in this legislation, as it excludes built heritage;
  • We also have questions about how heritage will be considered with regard to National Development Management Policies, (chapter 2);
  • Given the presidency of COP26 last year, and the recognition of the climate emergency, we hope to see more action from Government, in parallel to the Bill, to encourage reuse of current building stock over a presumption to newbuild. We hope that the Government will review and remove the permitted development for demolition as part of, or in tandem with, this Bill.

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