Create an efficient system

We want to get rid of red-tape and double-handling and create a clearer and more efficient system for everyone.

Streamlining listing applications

We are using IT advances to continue to speed up our handling of designation applications and have put better resources and technology in place to be able to prepare advice more quickly.

Making it easier to understand

Following heritage protection legislation, the separate registers for listing, scheduling, registration and designated marine sites would be brought together in one simple list.  In the interim, we will bring together all these separate registers onto a fully accessible, integrated, searchable online database.

The online Heritage Gateway will provide a single point of access to designation registers and historic environment records across England. Its content will expand as it is developed.

We will work towards getting a new selection criteria and clearer designation records for marine sites, to bring them in line with buildings and monuments.

All new list entries will provide a clearer explanation of special interest.

Getting rid of duplication

After heritage protection legislation, the responsibility for designation would pass from the DCMS to English Heritage.

A single Historic Asset Consent would replace separate Listed Building and Scheduled Monument Consent.

Local Authorities would grant all new Historic Asset Consents, including the archaeological cases currently handled by the DCMS.

Conservation Area Consent would be merged with Planning Permission.

Heritage Partnership Agreements would eliminate the need for multiple consent applications for large or complex sites.  Until heritage legislation is passed, Heritage Management Agreements will help owners become more involved in heritage protection and help consent applications be dealt with more smoothly.

We will work with denominations to introduce to streamline their systems for management of assets under ecclesiastical exemption.  This will be a good training ground for aligning processes after heritage protection legislation is passed.