← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Listed Buildings Protection
19 July 2022
Lead MP
Paul Maynard
Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Con
Responding Minister
Not recorded
Tags
Culture, Media & Sport
Word Count: 4558
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Paul Maynard raised concerns about listed buildings protection in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.
Key Requests to Government:
Maynard urges the Government to consider introducing interim listing protection, expanding thematic studies of buildings from different eras, and enhancing local listings to provide more consistent protection across various local authorities. He also calls for a rolling programme of automatic assessment based on amenity societies' recommendations to safeguard threatened structures.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Paul Maynard is concerned about the protection of modern buildings under the listing system. He points out that there is often uncertainty among local planning authorities regarding when to notify national amenity societies of applications for listed building consent. There are also systemic issues preventing interim protection for buildings while a listing assessment process is ongoing, which can lead to deliberate damage or demolition by owners hoping to redevelop sites. Maynard highlights the 30-year rule as outdated and insufficient in protecting modern architecture that may have historical significance despite its relatively short lifespan. He cites examples such as Sainsbury's branch in Greenwich demolished after only 17 years.
He thanked Paul Maynard for securing this debate on listed building protection and discussed the variability between different local authorities regarding decisions on renovations and repairs. He mentioned delays in local authorities and lack of VAT relief on repairs, adding that such inconsistencies need to be addressed.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the importance of historic buildings locally or provincially, but he also raised concerns about financial assistance for developers and owners of listed buildings.
Oliver Heald
LD
North East Hertfordshire
My hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys mentioned cricket ball manufacture. Does the Minister find it encouraging that the original cricket ball manufacturing factory in Penshurst for the Duke ball is, in fact, listed?
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.