Historic Environment Division (HED) has a statutory role in development planning. Our engagement and consultation advice aims to support councils prepare better informed and locally distinctive plans which support regional objectives to conserve, protect and where possible enhance the historic environment.
The following guidance complements our role in supporting plan-led development, which includes:
- supplying evidence and ensuring that our built heritage data, including map-based information, is accessible to those developing plans, and identifying other useful sources of information
- actively engaging with district council plan makers and seeking to maximise benefits from the sustainable management of the historic environment by providing consistent, evidence-based advice at each stage of the plan-making process
- applying a proportionate approach to advice provided to council, with greater engagement where area plans are most outdated
- advising on SEAs and providing evidence-based advice when responding to each consultation stage of these assessments
- identifying Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest in line with requirements of strategic policy, in consultation with Historic Monuments Council