English Heritage is the Government's lead advisory body for the historic environment and has a statutory role in the planning system.
Our Charter sets out the service provided by English Heritage for those involved in changing or influencing change to the historic environment.
It explains how we handle requests for pre-application and statutory advice; it covers our advice on matters of policy and management issues relevant to the planning process; and it explains how we work, in partnership with others, in the modernised planning system.
The charter principally covers our service to local planning authorities, owners of heritage assets and developers, but anyone who needs consent for work affecting the historic environment will find it useful. It may also be relevant where English Heritage is invited to engage in Planning Performance Agreements.
The Charter emphasises our commitment to pre-application advice and contains sections on design and access statements and e-planning.
We are committed to continuously improving the timeliness and quality of our advisory service.
We currently give more than 95% of planning and listed building consent advice to local authorities within 21 days or against an agreed timetable. We also devote an increasing proportion of our time to pre-application advice.
This Charter (Fourth Edition) will be periodically updated in response to our evolving role within the planning system.
