Housing and Planning Minster John Healey has confirmed the new planning policy to make heritage assets the centrepieces of rejuvenated towns and cities, and protect the historic environment for future generations.

The new guidelines provide the first integrated approach for developers and councils to work together to restore and enhance historic buildings, as well as monuments, parks, gardens and industrial sites.

The planning policy for the historic environment has been strengthened following extensive consultation, and sends a clear message that our heritage should be protected and viewed as a catalyst for regeneration, rather than a barrier to development.


The new approach will ensure that individual heritage assets get the level of protection they deserve, and changes to the historic environment make an important contribution to tackling climate change and promoting green development.

A detailed Practice Guide from English Heritage accompanies the new guidance and explains how councils and developers can apply the new policies, and use heritage assets such as old theatres, churches and factories to inspire imaginative new development and high quality design.

Mr Healey said: "Our country has a rich heritage, with a unique set of buildings, monuments and landscapes that are highly prized by the people who live near them as well as tourists from all over the world.

"Heritage assets can never be replaced, which is why I'm giving councils the expert tools they need to make these assets the centrepieces of local regeneration while protecting our historic environment for future generations."

(CD/GK)