Designation and management of the archaeological resource in the context of a changing planning system - Online discussion material


On this page you will find information for the online discussion being held on 27-28 June via the Historic England linkedIn Group. Please sign up in advance to be part of the online discussion, please click here for instructions on how to sign up.

The background briefing is now available to view, please click here

Online discussion on 27-28 June will focus on how we currently protect and manage the archaeological resource in England through designation and through the planning system, and how we might want to change it in the short and the long term.

The questions below will be the main focus of the online discussion:

  1. Is the current system of protection and management of archaeological sites through designation and through the planning system appropriate for the 21st century? How might it need to change in response to the challenges of (for example) deregulation in the planning system, Brexit, loss of public sector capacity?

  2. Is the balance between designated and undesignated assets still appropriate, given the changes to the planning system?

  3. Do we need new/amended legislation?

  4. How do we respond to NPPF paragraph 139 and identify /manage sites of equivalent significance to scheduled monuments?

  5. How do we best provide meaningful yet proportionate protection and management for other non-designated heritage assets in accordance with paragraph 135 of the NPPF?

  6. How might we need to change our professional practices (eg in strategic planning and development management) in the light of the changes to the planning system?

  7. Should we work towards more holistic designation/management eg through merging natural environment, historic environment, landscape designations?

  8. A plan for the future: what are our short and long term priorities for change?
    o Are there specific legislative and/or policy changes that we need to lobby for?
    o Are there changes we as a sector can make to the way we do things?
    o Can we learn from recent experience in Wales and Scotland?