Its all change with the new NPPF for Heritage

At last the NPPF has changed and rather than only talking about harm in regards to heritage we can finally talk about long term re-use and recognise the potential positive impacts of development.

For years I have hated the term 'Less than Substantial Harm'. It is negative and confusing and for far too log has been misunderstood. It is unhelpful when talking about development as it promotes any change as being harmful. It is especially unhelpful where the heritage asset is a Locally Listed Building or a Conservation Area where the planning system is supposed to encourage viable long term use and not just freeze a place in time.

The NPPF now recognises heritage as a finite resource but aligns it with the finite resource which is our planets natural resources allowing energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heating measures.

The big change is that long term use to secure a buildings future is recognised as a Public Benefit. This means that where harm occurs, which is not substantial in nature ie it doesn't threaten the very reason that the building or place was protected in the first place, that it can be balanced against the the buildings long term survival.

This actively encourages

• Ongoing occupation

• Bringing buildings back into functional use

• Investment in fabric resulting from viable use

• Energy efficiency improvements

• Continued contribution to local character

• Reduced pressure for harmful piecemeal interventions.

Where development ensures that a heritage asset remains useful, loved and maintained we secure its future for the generations that come after us.