Heritage Resources Under Pressure

Although 85% of the public think the historic environment is important and a major contributor to the quality of life (MORI), a new report, Heritage under Pressure reveals a lack of capacity in local authorities to maximise the benefits of this huge asset. The Report shows that too often, heritage services in local authorities are not high enough on the agenda, that heritage potential is neglected and that instead of being seen as an asset to be unlocked, heritage is regarded as an obstacle to be overcome. The Report also dispels the myth that conservation and consultation slows down the planning system when in fact the evidence reveals a more complicated picture with a key source of delay being the poor quality of information from applicants.

Amongst the main findings of the Report are:

• The heritage plays a large role in planning: up to 30 % of planning applications crossing the desk of local authority officers have historic environment implications. Another 11% may have archaeological implications.
• Despite this, net expenditure on historic environment conservation by local planning authorities has declined by 8% in real terms in the last five years. Local authority staff costs fell by 10% in real terms between 1996 and 2000 and in the same period, English Heritage grants to local authorities declined by 23%.click here
• One monument per day has been lost since 1945. 3.8% of grade l and ll* buildings are deemed to be "at risk". Many more Grade II buildings are at risk. At least 25% of District Councils have never kept a register and many of those compiled have never been up-dated.
• Conservation and consultation is often criticised for causing delays but figures show the picture is more complicated. Over 90% of listed building consent applications are granted consent compared with 88% of planning applications. 81% of the cases dealt with by English Heritage are processed within 28 days, better than government targets.
• Where delays occur, the cause is often the poor quality of information from the applicants. Only about half of the applications submitted for listed building consent contain adequate information. Obtaining further information causes delay.

Download the Heritage Under Pressure: a study of resources in English local authorities report in Pdf format.

Download a summary of Heritage Under Pressure in Pdf format.

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