Specialising in historic characterisation, heritage management, planning,

protected landscapes, assessing heritage assets and funding bids.

Our innovative consultancy offers particular expertise

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www.wyvernheritage.co.uk




Tuesday 14 August 2012

English Heritage Protect Historic Railway features

More than 40 railway structures given protected status after an English Heritage consultation.

From the soaring brick Silly Bridge in Oxfordshire to the Tudor Gothic stone Pixash Lane Bridge in Bath and North East Somerset, English Heritage's project to safeguard historic railway buildings, bridges and tunnels along the Great Western main line, has resulted in 35 new listings and seven structures being upgraded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport. Stretching from London Paddington to Temple Meads in Bristol construction on the route began in 1836 to the designs of the father of railway engineering, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/greatwestern/

Friday 3 August 2012

DCMS consultation "Improving Listed Building Consent"

As reported in HELM newsletter

"This consultation was published on 26th July.  This seeks views on a second batch of potential reforms from the Penfold Report:-  

  • Introduction of a system of prior notification leading to deemed consent if the local planning authority does not respond within 28 days - to remove the number of full LBC applications for works which have little or no impact on special interest;  OR
  • Introduction of a system of local and national class consents which would enable local planning authorities or the Secretary of State, respectively, to identify works which will not longer require LBC as they have no impact on special interest;
  • Introduction of Certificates of Lawful Works which will enable the applicant  to get a formal view from the LPA either that proposed works will not require LBC or that works already carried out did not require LBC;
  • Introduction of a system of accredited agents who will be able to provide an LPA with an expert report on LBC applications in lieu of the report of the authority's own conservation officer, intended to widen the pool of expertise to be brought to bear on LBC applications, save LPA resources and provide more flexibility for applicants.

The consultation is a short one, as Government will be seeking opportunities for legislative change on this issues at the earliest available opportunity.  The views of heritage practitioners, owners and applicants on these proposals will be important.  The consultation document can be seen here  http://www.culture.gov.uk/consultations/9236.aspx. Any views you have should be submitted to DCMS by 23 August."

Thursday 2 August 2012

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill to make changes to heritage protection system

As reported in the HELM newsletter

"An important strand of improvements to the heritage protection system is going ahead as a result of Government's 'Penfold Implementation Report' published in November 2011.  The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, currently going through Parliament, contains four reforms relating to the protection and management of heritage assets, which are:-

  • Enabling list descriptions to specify attached or curtilage structures which are not considered to be of special interest - to remove the need for listed building consent (LBC) for structures which are not of interest;
  • Freeing applications for Certificates of Immunity from Listing (COIs) from the need to apply for planning permission;
  • Merging planning permission and conservation area consent - to simplify the system and remove duplication, while retaining a criminal sanction against unauthorised demolition of conservation area buildings; and
  • Creating statutory Heritage Partnership Agreements which will allow agreed works to go ahead without the need for listed building consent.

All these reforms were included in the Heritage Protection Bill of 2008, which failed to get Parliamentary time, and together constitute a sensible package of reforms which can improve systems while retaining levels of protection.  We expect them to complete their passage through Parliament in the Autumn."

Wednesday 1 August 2012

English Heritage publish a series of guides to selection criteria for designated heritage assets


Battlefields Designation Selection Guide

This guide sets out the criteria for defining a battlefield and how they are selected for inclusion on the Register of Historic Battlefields.

Download Battlefields Designation Selection Guide

Commemorative and Funerary Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with commemorative and funerary practice.

Download Commemorative and Funerary Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

Commercial Sites Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when designating archaeological sites associated with commerce.

Download Commercial Sites Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

Culture, Entertainment and Sport Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with culture, entertainment and sport.

Download Culture, Entertainment and Sport Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

Gardens Designation scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with gardens.

Download Gardens Designation scheduling Selection Guide

Law and Government Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with law and government.

Download Law and Government Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

Places of Learning Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with places of learning.

Download Places of Learning Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

Religion and Ritual pre-AD 410 designation Scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with religion and ritual pre-AD 410.

Download Religion and Ritual pre-AD 410 designation Scheduling Selection Guide

Ships and Boats: Prehistory to Present Designation Selection Guide

The purpose of selection guides is to explain our approach to designation. This guide considers all vessels used on inland waters, coastal waters and the open sea.

Download Ships and Boats: Prehistory to Present Designation Selection Guide

Sites of Health and Welfare Designation Sceduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with health and welfare.

Download Sites of Health and Welfare Designation Sceduling Selection Guide

Transport Sites Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with transport.

Download Transport Sites Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

Utilities Designation Scheduling Selection Guide

A guide to outline the selection criteria used when scheduling archaeological sites associated with utilities.
Download Utilities Designation Scheduling Selection Guide