From Building Design:
‘Heritage groups, planners and architects have expressed concern over the latest planning policy proposals for the protection of the historic built environment. A draft of Planning Policy Statement 15: Planning for the Historic Environment (PPS 15) was published for consultation last month. It has been introduced to streamline the planning process, replacing PPG 15 and 16 with “a more modern, integrated approach, moving beyond the outdated distinction between buildings and archaeology to embrace all of the historic environment”. But planners and architects claim that the definition of “heritage assets” is too open.
“It can be interpreted to mean that unlisted buildings outside conservation areas will all be considered as potential heritage assets and that local authorities will have the power to take away permitted development rights,” said Richard Coleman, urban design consultant and former deputy secretary of the Royal Fine Art Commission. “This is a huge unmanageable change. It will complicate the planning process and slow down renewal and regeneration.”
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3146851&origin=BDweeklydigest
