One of the greatest threats to historic landscapes, such as Registered Parks and Gardens and Registered Battlefields, are proposals for development. However, these sites do not have any additional statutory controls to protect them, but the good news is that the Government's new National Planning Policy Framework should mean that in the future their historic and architectural significance will be taken into consideration as part of the planning process.
Under the National Planning Policy Framework, Registered Parks and Gardens and Registered Battlefields carry the same weight as listed buildings. This should mean that substantial harm or loss can only be justified in exceptional cases.
In fact the new policy places more emphasis on sustaining and enhancing the significance of all heritage assets and finding viable uses consistent with their conservation.
