The IHBC has warmly welcomed the news that the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), in its recently published response to the August 2014 consultation on planning application process changes, has held back on proposed changes that would have meant limiting notification to amenity societies to cases involving the demolition of a ‘substantial’ part of the building.
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘We are very relieved that government has listened to the cross-sector partnership of interests in this critical area of public consultation. It marks an important fact: that supporting amenity societies lies at the heart of any competent planning system, because they deliver the informed, civic and heritage perspective that is essential to securing true sustainable development.’
In response to this announcement, Matthew Slocombe, Secretary of the Joint Committee of the National Amenity Societies said:
‘The National Amenity Societies are especially delighted that constructive discussion with CLG has ensured that the notifications of listed building applications should remain at their present level. We’re extremely grateful for the support from IHBC that helped secure this outcome.’
View the Heritage Alliance report on the release of government responses to the Planning application process improvements consultation
View the DCLG responses (paragraph 33 outlines demolition items)
