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The recent Queen\u2019s Speech introduced the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill \u2018to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas\u2019, with implications for conservation and the historic environment offered a cautious welcome by the IHBC, while also highlighting capacity issues in local authorities.<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
IHBC Chair David McDonald said: ‘As a hefty document consisting of over 300 pages and containing 196 clauses, there is a great deal to absorb in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.\u00a0 So we\u2019ll deliberate and consult more before commenting in detail.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018At first glance, it is reassuring to see that some of the more radical changes to planning legislation have been abandoned and we have a Bill that seeks to rectify some faults and generally improve the existing system of plan-making and management. A number of clauses will have implications for the historic environment including the use of design codes, and these will require further examination.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018However, some specific ‘heritage’ clauses can be welcomed, including the duty to have special regard to the preservation or enhancement of a number of additional heritage assets including Registered Parks and Gardens and World Heritage Sites. But it is disappointing that the opportunity seems to have been missed to extend setting to the protection of conservation areas. Other helpful improvements include proposals for Temporary Stop Notices, amendments to Urgent Works Notices and removal of the compensation provisions in relation to Building Preservation Notices.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I look forward to continuing discussions with DLUHC and DCMS to ensure that these proposal can be successfully implemented’.<\/p>\n
IHBC President Mike Brown said: \u2018While many of these reforms are welcome, the issue will be who will be left in Local Authorities to implement them.\u00a0 An exodus of talent, with many exhausted staff getting out from an intolerable workload, now seems the norm.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Attempts to recruit reveal a paucity of talented young people coming into the profession.<\/p>\n
\u2018It may be that we need to take a wider view of fundamentals here, including the current tax-based funding model. The facts remain that local Conservation Services are chronically underfunded and the Government giving the brave few yet more to do is not the way to protect Britain\u2019s heritage.\u2019<\/p>\n
See more on the Queen\u2019s Speed via<\/em> Designing Buildings HERE<\/a>:<\/p>\n See more on the \u2018Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n See further information at Read more….<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The recent Queen\u2019s Speech introduced the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill \u2018to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas\u2019, with implications for conservation and the historic environment offered a cautious welcome by the IHBC, while also highlighting capacity … Continue reading