Comment

Representation ID: 30948

Received: 09/11/2022

Respondent: Historic England

Vacant or underused heritage assets not only fail to make a full contribution to the Borough’s economy but they also give rise to negative perceptions about an area. This, in turn, can detract from its attractiveness to visitors and inward investment. Consequently, in setting thresholds there needs to be a clear understanding of the potential impact which CIL could have on investment in, and regeneration of, historic areas - particularly those which have been identified as being ‘at risk’. We are therefore encouraging local authorities to assert their right to apply discretionary relief for exceptional circumstances; where development which affects heritage assets and their settings and/or their significance, may become unviable if it was subject to CIL, or where CIL relief would enable the restoration of heritage assets as identified on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk Register’.