12th March 2007, 01:56 PM
PRESS RELEASE 8 March 2007
HERITAGE PROTECTION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
The Archaeology Forum (TAF) welcomes the programme of radical reforms set out in the Heritage Protection White Paper published today and the government's commitment to placing the historic environment at the heart of an effective planning system.
There is a strong consensus of support from archaeological bodies for the White Paper's proposals. It is nearly 30 years since the last legislation to protect archaeology was introduced. The present systems for protecting the heritage have developed in a piecemeal fashion and are complex, inefficient to operate, lacking the transparency and accountability that a credible, modern system should provide.
"The White Paper is welcomed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise the heritage protection system, to make it more open and more inclusive", said Peter Hinton, TAF's Convenor, " We are pleased to see its radical and reforming approach and are expecting government to honour its commitment to streamlining without weakening the mechanisms that protect some of the most important parts of our heritage".
Delivery of the ambitious programme of reforms will depend for its success on a strong partnership between the Government, English Heritage, Cadw and the heritage sector. We note that local government in particular will have an important, central role in the new unified system of consents, with new responsibilities. Resources to reflect this enhanced role will be essential for effective delivery of the reforms at local level and for implementation in English Heritage. The need for these resources was headlined as the highest priority in Valuing Our Heritage, the sector's case for funding to Government ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
In particular TAF welcomes the proposals to
* unify the listing of buildings, scheduling of monuments, registration of parks, gardens and battlefields into a single designation regime, including World Heritage Sites
* expand designation to include the sites of early human activity without structures
* integrate Listed Building and Scheduled Monument consents into a single, streamlined heritage consent system, determined at local level
* enhance local historic environment services by introducing a statutory requirement for local authorities to have access to Historic Environment Records
* work towards an effective UK-wide marine heritage protection system, including a duty for the Receiver of Wreck to report marine heritage assets to the relevant heritage authorities
* introduce interim protection to sites and structures while they are being considered for designation.
We will be looking closely at the proposals for enhancing protection of archaeological sites under cultivation. TAF also looks forward to responding to the proposed changes for Conservation Areas and to safeguarding the level of protection for our most valued and sensitive historic areas. Looking ahead, there is important work to do to prepare for effective implementation of the White Paper proposals. The Archaeology Forum urges that progress should be made with other reforms, in advance of the proposed legislation, which will pave the way for its successful implementation. All can take place before the reforms of legislation, once the key principles are agreed, and should not be delayed.
* improvements to existing planning policy guidance for archaeology to * define archaeological resources more comprehensively, 1 confirm that it is reasonable for the planning process to require opportunities for public participation, 2 confirm that it is reasonable, where appropriate, to require commercial work to be conducted by accredited historic environment professionals 3 ensure proper provision for archiving and publishing completed excavations.
* clear government guidance on the functions that a local authority historic environment service should provide, based on proposals by the Institute of Field Archaeologists, Institute of Historic Building Conservation and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers
* a programme of training and capacity building, involving English Heritage, Cadw, local authorities and the professional associations, to equip historic environment professionals with the skills and resources they need to deliver reformed services to the standard the public deserves
Notes to editors
1. TAF is a grouping of the key, non-governmental organisations concerned with archaeology in the UK. Its members include the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers UK, the Council for British Archaeology, the Institute of Conservation, the Institute of Field Archaeologists, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, the National Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, Rescue, the Society of Antiquaries of London, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the Standing Conference of Archaeological Unit Managers, and the Society of Museum Archaeologists UK.
Contacts
Peter Hinton, Chief Executive, Institute of Field Archaeologists Tel 0118 378 6446; Fax 0118 378 6448; [log in to unmask]
Mike Heyworth, Director, Council for British Archaeology Tel 01904 671417; Fax 01904 671384; [log in to unmask]
Stewart Bryant, Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers UK Tel: 01992 555244; Fax 01992 555251
"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu
HERITAGE PROTECTION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
The Archaeology Forum (TAF) welcomes the programme of radical reforms set out in the Heritage Protection White Paper published today and the government's commitment to placing the historic environment at the heart of an effective planning system.
There is a strong consensus of support from archaeological bodies for the White Paper's proposals. It is nearly 30 years since the last legislation to protect archaeology was introduced. The present systems for protecting the heritage have developed in a piecemeal fashion and are complex, inefficient to operate, lacking the transparency and accountability that a credible, modern system should provide.
"The White Paper is welcomed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise the heritage protection system, to make it more open and more inclusive", said Peter Hinton, TAF's Convenor, " We are pleased to see its radical and reforming approach and are expecting government to honour its commitment to streamlining without weakening the mechanisms that protect some of the most important parts of our heritage".
Delivery of the ambitious programme of reforms will depend for its success on a strong partnership between the Government, English Heritage, Cadw and the heritage sector. We note that local government in particular will have an important, central role in the new unified system of consents, with new responsibilities. Resources to reflect this enhanced role will be essential for effective delivery of the reforms at local level and for implementation in English Heritage. The need for these resources was headlined as the highest priority in Valuing Our Heritage, the sector's case for funding to Government ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
In particular TAF welcomes the proposals to
* unify the listing of buildings, scheduling of monuments, registration of parks, gardens and battlefields into a single designation regime, including World Heritage Sites
* expand designation to include the sites of early human activity without structures
* integrate Listed Building and Scheduled Monument consents into a single, streamlined heritage consent system, determined at local level
* enhance local historic environment services by introducing a statutory requirement for local authorities to have access to Historic Environment Records
* work towards an effective UK-wide marine heritage protection system, including a duty for the Receiver of Wreck to report marine heritage assets to the relevant heritage authorities
* introduce interim protection to sites and structures while they are being considered for designation.
We will be looking closely at the proposals for enhancing protection of archaeological sites under cultivation. TAF also looks forward to responding to the proposed changes for Conservation Areas and to safeguarding the level of protection for our most valued and sensitive historic areas. Looking ahead, there is important work to do to prepare for effective implementation of the White Paper proposals. The Archaeology Forum urges that progress should be made with other reforms, in advance of the proposed legislation, which will pave the way for its successful implementation. All can take place before the reforms of legislation, once the key principles are agreed, and should not be delayed.
* improvements to existing planning policy guidance for archaeology to * define archaeological resources more comprehensively, 1 confirm that it is reasonable for the planning process to require opportunities for public participation, 2 confirm that it is reasonable, where appropriate, to require commercial work to be conducted by accredited historic environment professionals 3 ensure proper provision for archiving and publishing completed excavations.
* clear government guidance on the functions that a local authority historic environment service should provide, based on proposals by the Institute of Field Archaeologists, Institute of Historic Building Conservation and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers
* a programme of training and capacity building, involving English Heritage, Cadw, local authorities and the professional associations, to equip historic environment professionals with the skills and resources they need to deliver reformed services to the standard the public deserves
Notes to editors
1. TAF is a grouping of the key, non-governmental organisations concerned with archaeology in the UK. Its members include the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers UK, the Council for British Archaeology, the Institute of Conservation, the Institute of Field Archaeologists, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, the National Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, Rescue, the Society of Antiquaries of London, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the Standing Conference of Archaeological Unit Managers, and the Society of Museum Archaeologists UK.
Contacts
Peter Hinton, Chief Executive, Institute of Field Archaeologists Tel 0118 378 6446; Fax 0118 378 6448; [log in to unmask]
Mike Heyworth, Director, Council for British Archaeology Tel 01904 671417; Fax 01904 671384; [log in to unmask]
Stewart Bryant, Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers UK Tel: 01992 555244; Fax 01992 555251
"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu