A New Planning Policy Framework

Putting Heritage at the Heart of the Planning System

Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church World Heritage Site Changes to the existing planning policy framework, part of Heritage Protection Reform, are delivering real benefits for the historic environment:

• The public consultation on PPS15: Planning for the Historic Environment closed on 30 October 2009. English Heritage is now working with the Departments of Communities and Local Government and Culture, Media and Sport on revisions to the text to take account of the wide range of comments received. The English Heritage response to the PPS ( 97kb) is supportive of the draft text but recognises there are a significant number of areas where the text needs to be improved. Once published in its final form, it will mark an important step forward in the delivery of the reformed Heritage Protection system
  
  
• PPS 15 is accompanied by a Guidance Document, with detailed information on how to apply the policies in the PPS; The consultation period also ended on 30 October 2009 and responses are now being considered.
  
  
• World Heritage Sites are considered in a dedicated World Heritage Planning Circular and accompanying Practice Guide, which has now been jointly launched by CLG and DCMS;
  
  
• The forthcoming Marine and Coastal Access Bill currently progressing through Parliament will provide some level of protection for marine heritage in English waters and the continental shelf. For more information please see the DEFRA website
  
  
• Work has already started on the UK Marine Policy Statement. For more information, download Defra's Issue 10 of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill Newsletter (pdf)