{"id":28145,"date":"2020-10-30T17:54:57","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T17:54:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogsnew.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=28145"},"modified":"2020-10-30T18:23:01","modified_gmt":"2020-10-30T18:23:01","slug":"ihbcs-la-conservation-capacity-research-informs-englands-planning-white-paper-briefing-to-mps-6-of-lpas-with-no-adv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=28145","title":{"rendered":"IHBC\u2019s LA conservation capacity research informs England\u2019s Planning White Paper Briefing to MPs & Peers from new \u2018CPP APPG\u2019: 48.7% drop since 2009; 6% of LPAS with no advice!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The IHBC has published the results of its own 2020 research into specialist conservation provision in Local Authorities (LAs) in England \u2013revealing a 48.7% fall since 2009 and 6% currently with no access to advice \u2013 which will inform the Briefing Note<\/em> on the England\u2019s Planning White Paper from the new \u2018Conservation Places and People\u2019 All-Party Parliamentary Group (CPP APPG<\/a>) on 4 November.<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

…specialist advice decreasing by almost 50% since 2009…<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

IHBC Chair David McDonald said: \u2018This survey demonstrates just how much local authority conservation services in England have been reduced over the last decade.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Access to specialist advice decreasing by almost 50% since 2009 is a statistic that speaks for itself.\u00a0 If we add to that the loss of senior staff and the consequent wealth of knowledge and experience that is no longer available the overall picture is even worse.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Of similar concern are those authorities that do not have access to any conservation advice. Not only are they failing in providing an adequate service, but also there must be an increased risk of Ombudsman complaints or Judicial Reviews. The IHBC is using the results of this survey in its submission to Government on local authority capacity as part of the Planning White Paper consultation.’<\/p>\n

…6% of Local Authorities now having no access to conservation advice…<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

\u2018It shows the situation in conservation staffing has not improved and to threaten the future of our historic buildings.\u2019<\/p>\n

Fiona Newton, IHBC\u2019s lead on this work since 2006 said: \u2018Conservation advice is the critical frontline for protecting the historic environment and once lost it can never be recovered.\u00a0 With 6% of Local Authorities now having no access to conservation advice and many others having just part time access to advice this lack of advice exposes the nation\u2019s heritage to the real risk of harm.\u2019<\/p>\n

IHBC Director Se\u00e1n O\u2019Reilly said: \u2018The loss of 48.7% of conservation provision across England since 2009 can only have had a devastating effect on local authorities and some may be no longer even able to carry out even their statutory conservation duties.\u00a0 The reduced levels of conservation staffing in most Local Authorities mean that Listed Building owners and developers are often no longer able to get detailed proactive and practical support and advice from the Local Authority to help them to maintain and protect the heritage for which they are responsible.\u2019<\/p>\n

The significant findings of the research are:<\/p>\n