CLA welcomes the saving of ‘listed’ buildings

The CLA welcomes the Government’s announcement today that – following lobbying by the CLA and others – listed buildings are to remain "listed".

The term will remain instead of the proposed convoluted title of "Registered Heritage Structures" which was to be used in the forthcoming Heritage Protection Bill.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "This proposed change seemed bizarre. After several decades of use most people are familiar with the idea of listed buildings. Suddenly, this was to be swept away and replaced by a tongue-twister.

"People have barely stopped talking about ’preservation orders’ on buildings, even though those were abolished in the 1960s. How many decades would it have taken for the new ’Registered Heritage Structures’ to have caught on – if ever? This is why we were opposing it and we are delighted that the Department for Culture Media and Sport has changed its mind."

The announcement was made in the small print of the Government’s response to the House of Commons Select Committee for Culture Media and Sport’s report on the draft Heritage Protection Bill.

Both the Select Committee and the CLA welcomed the draft Bill in general terms, but were critical of many of the details.

CLA Heritage Adviser Jonathan Thompson said: "The Government’s response does not seem to address many of these criticisms, especially the fundamental problem in the current system: the shortage of skilled conservation staff in the local authorities who operate it. "

The full Government response is at http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/gov_responseCm7472.pdf The decision to retain the word "listing" is in paragraph 88.