Protecting built heritage
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Open
Inquiry
Opened: 16 Dec 2024
Parliament page
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is to examine the importance of built heritage in the UK and the barriers to its preservation. The inquiry will examine issues with funding and whether current finance models are suitable and accessible. It will also engage with how the Government can tackle practical …
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28
Recommendations
11
Conclusions
1
Report
5
Oral sessions
19
Letters
5
Events
Activity timeline 25 events
13 Jul
2026
2026
Report published
3 Jun
2026
2026
3 Mar
2026
2026
3 Mar
2026
2026
10 Feb
2026
2026
Oral evidence
3 Feb
2026
2026
3 Feb
2026
2026
28 Jan
2026
2026
20 Jan
2026
2026
20 Jan
2026
2026
6 Jan
2026
2026
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
10 Feb 2026
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Fazima Osborn · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Mark Chivers · Cabinet Office
The Baroness Twycross · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
6 Jan 2026
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Emma Squire · Historic England
Ian Morrison · Historic England
Major General Andy Sturrock · Ministry of Defence
Mark Bourgeois · Cabinet Office
Richard McSeveney · Ministry of Justice
4 Nov 2025
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Councillor Julie Jones-Evans · Local Government Association's Culture, Tourism and Sport Board
Eilish McGuinness · National Lottery Heritage Fund
Geoff Parkin · English Heritage
Jennifer Cooke · Smith Jenkins Planning & Heritage
Matthew Mckeague · Architectural Heritage Fund
Sarah Buckingham · Jersey Heritage
15 Jul 2025
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Andrew Lovett · Black Country Living Museum
Becky Payne · Historic Religious Buildings Alliance
Emily Gee · Church of England
Joshua McTaggart · Theatres Trust
Michael Kill · Night Time Industry Association
The Reverend Paula Griffiths
17 Jun 2025
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Alice Loxton
Ben Cowell OBE · Historic Houses
Camilla Finlay · Clews Architects
Dr Tegwen Roberts · Eldon Street (Barnsley) High Street Heritage Action Zone
Hilary McGrady · National Trust
Professor Vanessa Toulmin · Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Report - Protecting built heritage | HC 144 | 13 Jul 2026 | 39 | Pending |
Recommendations & Conclusions
39 results
1
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The deterioration of heritage assets represents a major missed opportunity.
The deterioration of heritage assets represents a major missed opportunity. Their significant potential to support economic growth and tourism is being systematically constrained by a combination of financial, structural and policy pressures. Without a more coherent and proactive approach, increasing …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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2
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend the government introduce a ‘heritage-to-housing’ scheme to bring vacant and at-risk historic buildings...
We recommend the government introduce a ‘heritage-to-housing’ scheme to bring vacant and at-risk historic buildings back into residential use. The scheme should draw on lessons from other countries such as Italy’s €1 house initiatives and renovation tax incentives, but be …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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3
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government establish and lead a high street repurpose programme as a...
We recommend that the government establish and lead a high street repurpose programme as a core intervention within the national reuse-first housing strategy. The scheme should require developers to demonstrate that reuse has been prioritised over demolition, empowering local authorities …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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4
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
Heritage-led housing is no longer a niche or peripheral opportunity, but a major and under-recognised...
Heritage-led housing is no longer a niche or peripheral opportunity, but a major and under-recognised means of addressing the country’s acute housing shortage. Historic England’s estimate that up to 670,000 47 homes could be delivered through the reuse of vacant …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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5
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government adopt a reuse-first approach to housing policy, prioritising the conversion...
We recommend that the government adopt a reuse-first approach to housing policy, prioritising the conversion of vacant and under-used heritage buildings before pursuing new build. This approach should embed reuse as a clear priority in the National Planning Policy Framework, …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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6
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The Heritage minister should have regular and structured meetings with the Housing minister to align...
The Heritage minister should have regular and structured meetings with the Housing minister to align policy and delivery. This should include joint oversight of heritage-led housing schemes and clear accountability for unlocking reuse at scale. (Recommendation, Paragraph 20)
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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7
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
Our evidence points to a systematic weakness in how government collects data on its heritage...
Our evidence points to a systematic weakness in how government collects data on its heritage assets. Without fully understanding the current state of the sector, the government will not be able to unlock the value of built heritage. (Conclusion, Paragraph …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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8
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government establish a comprehensive and standardised national dataset on the condition,...
We recommend that the government establish a comprehensive and standardised national dataset on the condition, ownership and maintenance of heritage assets across England. This should be delivered jointly with Historic England and include asset-level information on condition, risk status and …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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9
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
Existing frameworks for protecting built heritage do not adequately capture contemporary cultural heritage, leaving many...
Existing frameworks for protecting built heritage do not adequately capture contemporary cultural heritage, leaving many culturally significant spaces vulnerable despite their clear value to communities. Without a broader definition of heritage, there is a risk that important aspects of the …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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10
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government put in place processes for identifying and protecting buildings with...
We recommend that the government put in place processes for identifying and protecting buildings with high cultural and social value alongside architectural significance. This should include acknowledging the cultural importance of nightclubs, music venues and activist spaces where a particularly …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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11
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
Place-based approaches offer an effective way of aligning investment with local need, strengthening partnerships and...
Place-based approaches offer an effective way of aligning investment with local need, strengthening partnerships and embedding community involvement. However, their impact is uneven. Areas with less capacity, particularly rural and deprived parts of the country, face barriers such as limited …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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12
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government implement and promote place-based approaches to the protection of built...
We recommend that the government implement and promote place-based approaches to the protection of built heritage. These approaches should involve models bringing together the whole range of organisations working in the community. The government should also develop mechanisms such as …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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13
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government introduce a local high street assessment tool to tackle the...
We recommend that the government introduce a local high street assessment tool to tackle the challenge that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective. This tool can be used to compare the cost and effectiveness of interventions, including planning, engagement, skills and …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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14
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The current funding landscape for built heritage is fragmented, short-term and does not adequately support...
The current funding landscape for built heritage is fragmented, short-term and does not adequately support the long-term nature of conservation. We recommend that the government sets out a clear, cohesive and long-term strategy for funding built heritage, aligning the various …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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15
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The government should review the effectiveness of the current institutional landscape for heritage, including the...
The government should review the effectiveness of the current institutional landscape for heritage, including the division of responsibilities between Historic England, English Heritage and other funding bodies. It should assess the case for greater streamlining, or even the merging of …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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16
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government explore the feasibility of establishing a heritage funding model analogous...
We recommend that the government explore the feasibility of establishing a heritage funding model analogous to Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation system, or a dedicated heritage investment fund to deliver consistent and strategic investment. Any such model must, however, …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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17
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its delivery partners should expand the scale...
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its delivery partners should expand the scale and accessibility of early-stage development funding. This should include ringfenced funding to support feasibility work, design development and access to professional expertise. The government should …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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18
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The government’s decision to replace the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme with the Places...
The government’s decision to replace the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme with the Places of Worship Renewal Fund represents a significant shift. While we recognise the rationale for directing limited public funds towards areas of greatest socio-economic need, we …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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19
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government ensures that overall funding available through the Places of Worship...
We recommend that the government ensures that overall funding available through the Places of Worship Renewal Fund is at least as generous in real terms as the level of support provided through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme prior …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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20
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The current VAT regime creates a structural disincentive to repair, maintain and reuse historic buildings.
The current VAT regime creates a structural disincentive to repair, maintain and reuse historic buildings. Sector bodies have told us that changes, such as rebate schemes or equalisation with new-build rates, could unlock stalled housing schemes, prevent managed decline and …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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21
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the DCMS initiate formal discussions with HM Treasury on the impact of...
We recommend that the DCMS initiate formal discussions with HM Treasury on the impact of VAT on heritage repair and reuse. The government should introduce targeted VAT relief for maintenance and conversion of listed heritage buildings. This could include reducing …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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22
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government reform VAT rules applying to the repurposing of existing buildings...
We recommend that the government reform VAT rules applying to the repurposing of existing buildings to remove the current disincentive to investment and to support national carbon reduction objectives. The new rules should replace the narrow and complex 5% reduced-rate …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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23
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that HM Treasury review the impact of the business rates system on high...
We recommend that HM Treasury review the impact of the business rates system on high street premises and heritage buildings and bring forward reforms that reduce burden on these properties. The reforms should include proposals to shift a greater share …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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24
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
Publicly owned heritage assets are too often allowed to deteriorate, with responsibility spread across departments,...
Publicly owned heritage assets are too often allowed to deteriorate, with responsibility spread across departments, weak compliance with existing protocols and no effective mechanism to enforce minimum standards. While the government has acknowledged the need to improve oversight, this must …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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25
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that UK Government departments be required to produce and publish asset-level heritage management...
We recommend that UK Government departments be required to produce and publish asset-level heritage management plans for all listed buildings within their estate, including condition assessments, maintenance schedules and plans for reuse or disposal. These plans should be updated regularly …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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26
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
While the One Public Estate programme represents a valuable attempt to coordinate the management and...
While the One Public Estate programme represents a valuable attempt to coordinate the management and disposal of public assets, heritage considerations are not systematically embedded within its operations. Evidence suggests that decisions are still primarily driven by broader regeneration and …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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27
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The government should embed built heritage within the One Public Estate programme, making heritage considerations...
The government should embed built heritage within the One Public Estate programme, making heritage considerations a specific factor to be taken into account when it comes to the management, reuse and disposal of publicly-owned assets. This should be supported by …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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28
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
Workforce and skills shortages now pose one of the most serious risks to the long-term...
Workforce and skills shortages now pose one of the most serious risks to the long-term protection of the UK’s built heritage. An ageing workforce, limited training routes, insecure funding and declining local authority 52 expertise are combining to create a …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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29
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The government should build on the success of the Hopwood Foundation’s heritage skills training programme...
The government should build on the success of the Hopwood Foundation’s heritage skills training programme at HMP Thorn Cross by supporting the expansion of similar schemes across prisons and further education sectors. Such programmes could help address critical shortages in …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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30
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government work with Skills England, Historic England and sector bodies to...
We recommend that the government work with Skills England, Historic England and sector bodies to create protected training pathways for endangered heritage crafts, including the specialist skills identified on the Heritage Crafts Red List. It should establish a “heritage skills …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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31
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government, within 12 months of the introduction of the Growth and...
We recommend that the government, within 12 months of the introduction of the Growth and Skills Levy, review how greater flexibility can be built into the levy scheme to better support the heritage sector. This review should assess whether levy-funded …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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32
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the government consult on and implement proposals to establish and then promote...
We recommend that the government consult on and implement proposals to establish and then promote multi-employer apprenticeship schemes tailored to the heritage sector, enabling small and specialist heritage businesses to pool apprentices, share costs and benefit collectively from sustained skills …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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33
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its arm’s-length bodies develop...
We recommend that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its arm’s-length bodies develop a funded support framework that gives volunteer-led organisations access to practical assistance, including ‘critical friends’, mentoring and shared technical resources. This could include, 53 for …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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34
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
While the government’s proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework are welcome, they must...
While the government’s proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework are welcome, they must go further to address the persistent delays, inconsistency and administrative burden experienced by developers, owners and community organisations. Without change in how the system operates …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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35
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport work closely with the Ministry...
We recommend that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that the revised National Planning Policy Framework delivers tangible improvements for the heritage sector. In particular, the …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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36
Conclusion
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
Where Local Listed Building Consent Orders have been used, they have reduced administrative burdens, lowered...
Where Local Listed Building Consent Orders have been used, they have reduced administrative burdens, lowered costs and provided greater clarity for applicants and authorities alike, enabling straightforward and low-risk works to proceed efficiently. However, their implementation remains uneven and the …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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37
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We urge the government to make both Local and National Listed Building Consent Orders a...
We urge the government to make both Local and National Listed Building Consent Orders a standard and accessible route for the approval of low- risk and routine heritage works by supporting Local Planning Authorities to consider their immediate adoption. This …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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38
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
We recommend that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Ministry of Housing,...
We recommend that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government work together to develop targeted and sustained support to increase the 54 number of conservation officers and heritage specialists within local …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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39
Recommendation
3rd Report - Protecting built heri…
The government must ensure that planning policy and regulation enable and prioritise, rather than inhibit,...
The government must ensure that planning policy and regulation enable and prioritise, rather than inhibit, climate adaptation and the decarbonisation of historic buildings. This work must include clearer national guidance for local authorities, reform of energy performance certificate methodology to …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Correspondence 19 letters
3 Jun 2026
To committee
Letter from Baroness Twycross, Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, relating to the launch of the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund (PWRF), 20 May 2026
Parliament page
3 Mar 2026
To committee
Letter from Mark Chivers, Government Chief Property Officer, Office of Government Property, Cabinet Office, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 2 March 2026
Parliament page
3 Mar 2026
To committee
Letter from Baroness Twycross, Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 27 February 2026
Parliament page
3 Feb 2026
To committee
Letter from Mark Bourgeois, Chief Executive, Government Property Agency, Cabinet Office, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 23 January 2026
Parliament page
3 Feb 2026
Email from Ministry of Defence, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 28 January 2026
Parliament page
28 Jan 2026
To committee
Letter from Baroness Twycross, Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, regarding the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, 22 January 2026
Parliament page
20 Jan 2026
To committee
Letter from Emma Squire CBE, Co-Chief Executive, Historic England, regarding oral evidence follow-up, 13 January 2026
Parliament page
20 Jan 2026
To committee
Letter from Ben Cowell OBE, Director General, Historic Houses, regarding Listed Building Consent Orders, 9 January 2026
Parliament page
9 Dec 2025
To committee
Letter from Geoff Parkin, Interim Chief Executive, English Heritage, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 27 November 2025
Parliament page
25 Nov 2025
Email from Luke Cannell, Communications Support Officer, Local Government Association, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 11 November 2025
Parliament page
25 Nov 2025
Email from Jennifer Cooke, Director, Smith Jenkins Planning & Heritage, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 10 November 2025
Parliament page
9 Sep 2025
To committee
Letter from Baroness Twycross, Minister for Gambling and Heritage, regarding the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, 4 September 2025
Parliament page
9 Sep 2025
To committee
Letter from Ben Cowell OBE, Director General, Historic Houses, regarding protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 18 June 2025
Parliament page
2 Sep 2025
To committee
Letter from Michael Kill, Chief Executive, Night Time Industry Association, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 21 July 2025
Parliament page
2 Sep 2025
To committee
Letter from Emily Gee, Director for Cathedral and Church Buildings, Church of England, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 30 July 2025
Parliament page
2 Sep 2025
To committee
Letter from Andrew Lovett, Director and Chief Executive, Black Country Living Museum, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 18 July 2025
Parliament page
2 Sep 2025
To committee
Letter from Hilary McGrady, Director General, National Trust, regarding Protecting built heritage oral evidence follow-up, 30 July 2025
Parliament page
24 Jul 2025
To committee
Letter from Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Committee Chair, to Baroness Twycross, Minster for Gambling and Heritage regading Protecting Built Heritage: Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, dated 24 July 2025
Parliament page
13 May 2025
To committee
Letter from Ben Cowell OBE, Director General, Historic Houses, regarding minimum energy efficiency standards, dated 17 April 2025
Parliament page