A new inquiry from the
Culture, Media and Sport Committee will examine how to prevent
the loss and decline of historic buildings and other sites of
heritage amid warnings of the serious financial and practical
challenges many face.
According to Historic England, the heritage sector, which
encompasses sites including historic attractions, shops, homes,
pubs, theatres, community centres, town halls and libraries,
contributed £44.9bn in GVA to the UK economy in 2022, while
directly employing 201,000 workers and supporting more than
500,000 jobs across the economy.
Heritage organisations have warned however that both immediate
and structural changes are needed to protect heritage assets from
being sold off or closed to the public. According to Historic
England's Heritage at Risk Register, 4,891 historic buildings and
sites are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate change, with
155 added to the register this year.
With funding from local councils in decline, the inquiry will
look at whether current finance models are suitable and
accessible. This will include examining how funding is
distributed from some of the biggest providers, including the
National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
It will also look at how the Government can tackle practical and
regulatory challenges, such as the availability of skilled
workers in the sector, the managed decline of assets on
publicly-owned land, and policy issues arising from net zero
targets and planning policy.
In addition, the inquiry will highlight the importance of built
heritage for economic regeneration and community identities, as
well as how those communities can be empowered to manage their
local built heritage assets.
Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame MP, said:
“Historic buildings are the centrepiece of many communities
across the country and contribute hugely to the vibrancy of an
area. Sadly our built heritage faces a range of threats, not just
financial, but also from the burdensome restrictions which make
their restoration and upkeep so costly and bureaucratic. The
perilous state of old buildings on military property is
illustrative of what can happen when historic assets on public
land are subject to managed decline.
This inquiry will shine a light on the huge benefits historic
sites bring and see what more can be done to break down the
barriers to their preservation and ensure they can continue to be
enjoyed for generations to come.”
Terms of reference
The Committee is inviting written submissions
in response to the following questions:
- What are the most significant challenges facing owners and
operators of built heritage assets, and how are they affecting
what those sites can offer?
- What interventions are needed to
prevent the managed decline of heritage assets on publicly-owned
land?
- What can the Government do to make
it easier for communities or local businesses to take ownership
of historic buildings?
- How effective are the current funding and finance models for
built heritage?
- What should long-term public funding for the sector look
like?
- What role does built heritage play in the regeneration of
local areas and in contributing to economic growth and community
identity?
- How can heritage buildings be
supported to increase energy efficiency and contribute to the
Government's net zero targets?
- What are the financial, regulatory and practical barriers to
preserving built heritage?
- What policy changes are needed to
make restoring historic buildings easier and less expensive?
- What policies would ensure the UK workforce has the right
skills to maintain our heritage assets?
