PPS5: Much awaited Planning for the Historic Environment launched

Heritage buildings, monuments and landscapes will be seen as an asset rather than a barrier to development in England, is one of the key messages  of the government's latest Planning Policy Statement - PPS5: Planning for the Historic Environment launched yesterday, (Tuesday 23 March 2010).

PPS5 updates planning policy affecting archaeological sites, monuments, historic buildings and landscapes, with regard to the management of change in the historic environment.

PPS5 replaces both Planning Policy Guidance notes 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment) and 16 (Archaeology and Planning), and represents a significant shift in the existing planning policy framework for the built heritage in England.

PPS5 is supported by an accompanying Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide, which provides further information on how the policies set out in the PPS should be implemented.

Roger Mascall, partner at DPP Heritage comments: “I’m surprised this wasn’t launched with more of a fanfare given the long gestation period and lengthy process There are a number of new concepts and key changes within this policy statement, particularly affecting the planning procedure and the role the historic environment will play in shaping the future of towns and cities across the country. We will watch with interest the practical interpretation of this guidance by local authorities and developers. I would advise clients to expect potential delays to projects however as it is going to take Local Planning Authorities some time to set aside well engrained policy and advice from the previous PPGs and to get to grips with the new policy guidance and its nuances.”

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About DPP
DPP is a top ten independent town planning consultancy providing strategic advice to the a range of clients. DPP's chartered planners, sustainability, heritage and design experts work with developers, landowners, business operators and public sector bodies, offering services relating to the development and use of land. The firm operates in all development sectors with a particular presence in residential, retail, regeneration, mixed uses, business and commercial.  DPP is committed to maintaining the qualities that separate us from our competitors, as well as continuing to enhance our established reputation for providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services while helping clients reach their planning and development objectives.

Clients of DPP include Bellway Homes Ltd, Caffé Nero, Centros, Domino's Pizza, English Heritage, Invensys, Liberty Properties, Liverpool Land Development Company, Mercian Developments, The Ministry of Justice, Shell International, Taylor Wimpey, Tesco, Unilever Pension Fund Trustees, United Utilities, the Watkin Jones Group and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Contact
Ceri Edwards, Redwood Consulting
Tel: 020 7828 5553
Email: ceri@redwoodconsulting.co.uk