DCLG has published its revised planning policy guidance for the historic environment with extensive revisions from the controversial draft published last summer.
PPS5: Planning and the Historic Environment replaces PPG15 on the historic environment and PPG16 on archaeology and planning and is supported by a Practice Guide which English Heritage took the lead in producing.
"Heritage assets can never be replaced, which is why I'm giving councils the expert tools they need to make these assets the centrepieces of local regeneration while protecting our historic environment for future generations," said planning minister John Healey.
The revised guidance was welcomed by English Heritage which noted it had significantly influenced the final text.
"We fully support the principles contained in PPS5 which clearly recognises the vital social, economic and environmental benefits of all heritage assets and maintains the robust framework of heritage protection," said EH chair Baroness Andrews.
"In addition, the PPS brings heritage planning guidance into line with wider changes to planning legislation and English Heritage's own best practice and allows for simpler, more transparent decisions which reflect the significance of the asset and its setting."
The revised version's response to the concerns raised was also welcomed by the Planning Officers' Society.
"The new PPS5 strikes the right balance between the conservation of our heritage assets as a matter of utmost importance but allowing flexibility for change in the 21st Century," said past president Phil Kirby.
