An applicant may challenge a decision to refuse a planning application, or a request may be made for the Secretary of State to call a planning application in for his or her own determination. In either of these events the application will be subject to examination which can take the form of a 'planning inquiry'.
On occasion, English Heritage may decide that due to the issues being raised, we will be involved in the process and submit evidence to assist the Inspector in assessing the application and its impacts on the historic environment.
The cases on this website are some of the ones in which English Heritage have been involved.
Centros Lancaster LLP applied for planning permission, listed building consent and conservation consent for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Canal Corridor site in Lancaster.
On 15 January 2009 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government called in for her determination the various applications and orders which were heard by way of a public inquiry. The public inquiry commenced on 16 June 2009 and closed in writing on 6 August 2009.
English Heritage is a statutory consultee providing advice on matters generally affecting the historic environment. It is regarded as the lead body for the heritage sector and is the Government's principal adviser on the historic environment. In relation to this development proposal, there would have been extensive clearance of the historic 18th century townscape, demolition of more than 30 buildings, 18 of which fall within conservation areas.
Potential buried archaeological remains would have been lost, and as a result, the proposals would have failed to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area and would have harmed the setting of adjacent listed buildings. English Heritage, opposed the scheme, together with SAVE and 'Its our City' – a local opposition group.
Based on the evidence presented, the Secretary of State refused consent for this application.
On 13 December 2010 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government confirmed that planning permission, listed building consent and conservation area consent should be granted for the comprehensive redevelopment of Crystal Palace Park as proposed by the London Development Agency.
This followed a public inquiry held in the summer of 2009 at which English Heritage was represented.
English Heritage supported the proposals as we considered that they would help to secure the long term future of the historic park and the heritage assets within it.
