Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

New planning guidelines have been launched by the housing minister in a bid to protect the UK's historic environment while making the most of conservation areas and listed buildings.

The planning policy unveiled by John Healey aims to encourage councils and commercial property developers to view the historic environment as an asset, rather than an obstacle, to new developments.

In collaboration with English Heritage, the new guidelines will suggest how companies and local authorities can integrate historic sites within developments to inspire more imaginative designs.

Mr Healey commented that historic assets must be preserved for future generations to enjoy and should not be neglected when new developments are planned.

The minister added: "This means making these assets part of our plans for regenerating our towns and cities.

"If you're redeveloping your town centre you should be making the most of existing streetscapes, canal side sites or former breweries."

English Heritage recently published research suggesting that conservation areas can add value to nearby properties.

Alison Hutchinson, planning consultant at Taylor Vinters, said: "The guidelines announced by John Healey are the long-awaited draft Planning Policy Statement 15 (PPS15) which is out for consultation purposes until October 30th 2009.

"Taylor Vinters will be examining both the draft PPS and the guidance by English Heritage and will submit representations where appropriate and in our clients' best interests.

"When approved, it will replace the old PPG 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment) and PPG 16 (Archaeology and Planning), both of which were published in the 1990s and are overdue for updating."