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Consultation

We welcome other bodies and individuals working in the same field having a chance to query, comment and advise upon the development and nature of the National Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP).

First Annual Consultation Survey

The survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who completed the questionnaire. Your views are really important to us to help shape the direction of the Plan. The results will be published soon.

Measuring coastal erosion on the East side of the Garrison, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly

Pre-consultation

English Heritage (EH) conducted two surveys prior to publishing the Plan:

Firstly, a pre-consultation survey in June 2010. The aim was to assess the support in principle for the National Heritage Protection Plan and for the proposed concentration of future research resources on priorities and pressures on the historic environment.

Secondly, the NHPP Winter 2010-2011 Winter Consultation. The questions in the Winter Consultation Survey were directed largely at the Priorities - whether they had been improved, whether they were clear and whether they addressed the priorities for the historic environment - as well as the crucial question of partnership and collaboration.

Other consultation

EH has done much other consultation already, intended to build up a full picture of wider priorities and pressures in the sector.

Our Research Strategy, born of a wide consultation less than five years ago has made explicit the aims of developing both understanding of the significance of our heritage and gathering the understanding to develop responses to threats acting on our heritage.

Our support for more detailed regional and national Research Frameworks has underpinned the development of priorities for understanding; these frameworks are entirely owned by the sector and represent a consensus view of priority objectives.

The focus of these priorities is sharpened further by the consultation undertaken for our Thematic Research Strategies (for example on Prehistory, Roman archaeology, industrial heritage, the urban historic environment), and within the context of our policy development (such as that for Climate Change).

In terms of priorities for protection, we are also drawing on a significant body of existing intelligence. Particular recent and ongoing projects and initiatives relevant here are:

“Heritage Protection Designation – Public Attitudes” Study commissioned by EH, March 2009 which confirmed that the public value the historic environment, and recognise the need to identify and protect it, with themes such as places of worship, conflict and defence, and cemeteries and burial grounds given priority.
Analysis of Spot-Designation Casework – reviewed by asset type and any threat stated in the application, to identify patterns. Showed that around one fifth of spot-listing cases were driven by the threat of demolition or substantive change, but was inconclusive on themes for the kinds of building involved. Completed June 2009.
Review of Past and Present Programmes –– reviewed thematic listing projects and the MPP - internal consultation and limited external consultation involved. Completed October 2009.
Review of the Quality and Coverage of the Statutory Lists – commissioned report, reviewing listing coverage to indicate likely areas where coverage is inadequate – to involve consultation with relevant staff in local authorities. Completed July 2010.
Consultation with expert representatives from under-represented groups on cross-cutting themes – an existing, Government-inspired commitment, intended to enable us to broaden our consideration and understanding in making designation decisions to encompass the heritage or traditionally marginalised social groups – equally applicable to projects under the NHPP. To be undertaken during implementation of the Plan.

Finally, there have been a range of direct consultative activities through which we have been signalling our developing thoughts on the best way to coordinate and focus our efforts better: