Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Monday, 6 November 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 November 2017. It was answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 November 2017 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Conservation Areas

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of Historic England's announcement that it now lists 512 conservation areas in its Heritage at Risk Register.

Answer: The findings of the 2017 Heritage at Risk survey indicate that, since figures were first collated in 2010, the number of the 8000+ conservation areas in England considered to be ‘at risk’ has declined from 549 to 512. Historic England is looking to build on these improvements by working with local authorities and other partners to target grant aid through its Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas programme, and by investing in ten Heritage Action Zones. The Heritage Lottery Fund is also continuing to invest in the enhancement of conservation areas through its Townscape Heritage grant scheme.

Secondary information