KMHeritage

Change is constant in the built environment

Historic buildings and areas are often the focus of debate about how that change is managed. The built heritage is a powerful physical expression of our identities and histories, but it’s also where we live, work, study and entertain ourselves. Reconciling necessary change with the protection of that which is most valuable in our heritage is a challenge - particularly for those who are responsible for proposing and controlling development.

The scene is evolving. Local plans are being replaced by Local Development Frameworks, the government has published a draft Heritage Protection Bill, the way that listing happens has changed, and a fundamental shift is occurring in the way the historic built environment is perceived. A greater emphasis is being placed on a broader and more inclusive notion of heritage.

This change is reflected in new guidance. On 23 March 2010, the Government published the new Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment, which replaces Planning Policy Guidance 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment, 1995) and Planning Policy Guidance 16 (Archaeology and Planning) with immediate effect.

But when it comes to day-to-day work in the historic built environment, certain key things continue to matter: gathering information, making informed assessments, identifying significance, arguing the case for change or preservation, negotiating acceptable solutions. This is the work that KMHeritage does.

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