Fenland District Council to relax archaeological planning regulations

[mpoole]

Apparently he may love Eric Pickles, but the reverse doesn't seem to be true.

[BAJR]

From Mike Heyworth

The latest draft of the NPPF weakens heritage protection generally, and is particularly worrying in relation to undesignated archaeological heritage (which may be of national importance but not scheduled as this is discretionary). If Lord Renfrew can gain statutory recognition for Historic Environment Records in the Localism Bill, and also probe the Government's view of the threat to undesignated archaeological heritage we can then focus lobbying on the draft NPPF consultation (which will run for three months from late July).

Read more here:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=grou...p_activity

[moreno]

[URL="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=549469743"]FYI: Courtesy of Andrew Tizzard via the FB site:
[/URL]
I have just received the following email from Don Foster MP's office......

Dear Andrew,

As I mentioned before, on Wednesday evening Don and I had a discussion with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles MP, where we raised this matter. The Secretary of State was completely clear on his position: the government has no intention of including such measures in the Localism Bill. While the Bill does devolve a lot of power to local councils, it does not give them powers to deregulate planning in the manner Mr Melton described.

The Liberal Democrats are committed to the protection of Britain’s heritage. We see Mr Melton’s comments as crass and can assure you that if there was any effort to bring in such changes, we would oppose them vigorously. As it is, we are satisfied that the Government has no intention of following this route. Mr Melton has been forced to clarify his comments in the last few days and says now that they were merely his own personal proposals and denied that there was any endorsement from the Conservative Party or the Government.

We’re relatively satisfied that this issue is going to be put to bed soon as from what I know, Mr Melton has been put back in his box by the Tories and will hopefully stay there. If we hear anything else I’ll be sure to let you know.

Kindest Regards,
Daniel Kelly | Parliamentary Intern | Office of Rt Hon Don Foster MP | Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Bath |

[moreno]

Again, courtesy of Andrew Tizzard , it should be noted this “statement” has been confirmed as authentic by John Elworthy, editor of the EDP online: http://www.edp24.co.uk/home

Fenland District Council Statement

Archaeology and Conservation in Fenland

Following my recent announcement related to archaeology and conservation at the Fenland Building Design Awards event, I feel it important to make the following statement:

The thrust of the overall announcement was to highlight that the Council wish to pursue a pro active approach to housing growth, economic development and infrastructure provision with a specific focus on sustainability and quality design.

Specific issues related to archaeology and conservation has raised significant debate both locally and nationally.

It should be stressed that there is NO intention for the Council to seek to break the law by going against relevant legislation. In fact such matters are covered in our draft Core Strategy under the heading ‘Building Quality’ and specifically a new emerging policy – ‘Delivering and protecting high quality environments across the District’ with appropriate reference to national policy PPS 5. This document is scheduled to go to the initial stage of public consultation in early August 2011.

It should be highlighted that the Council is mindful and supportive to protect Fenland’s unique conservation and heritage assets. However, as with all specialist areas there is a requirement to be proportionate, reasonable and flexible in approach to help achieve the correct balance between meeting the ‘specialist’ area obligations and working with applicants and developers to achieve their aims.

To this end it should be stressed that the Council’s planning and conservation team consists of professional and competent staff who are committed to positively transforming the District yet ensuring the Council does so in accordance with adopted local and national frameworks.

The Council has an excellent relationship with Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeology team whose professional staff operates in a pro active and collaborative way with both the Council and in turn developers to achieve such common objectives.

My previous announcement sought, and has certainly succeeded, in prompting debate to further enhance understanding and co-operation on these important subjects. Consequently, as a result the two authorities have already arranged to explore further awareness, efficiencies and delivery mechanisms. Developers and other stakeholders will also be engaged to inform improvements.

The key to this as recognised by the archaeological profession is early discussions and to minimise site disruption in order to take sites forward in the best interest of developers and the community. The strong interest from the Archaeology fraternity can only be positive in helping with this change.

By respecting our heritage and moving forward with innovation and quality developments we can all play our part to help to deliver growth and improve the quality of life within Fenland.

Councillor Alan Melton

Leader of the Council

[P Prentice]

[SIZE=2]It should be highlighted that the Council is mindful and supportive to protect Fenland’s unique conservation and heritage assets. However, as with all specialist areas there is a requirement to be proportionate, reasonable and flexible in approach to help achieve the correct balance between meeting the ‘specialist’ area obligations and working with applicants and developers to achieve their aims.

He is a stupid man
[/SIZE]

[Marcus Brody]

I'd say that was a pretty comprehensive and fairly humiliating U-turn. As it's the 1st of July, I was going to ask whether his statement that 'from the 1st July. A requirement for an Archaeological dig/survey will not be required. The requirement will no longer feature at pre-app. Or form part of the committee agenda' had come into effect, but presumably he's been forced to climb down from that now. I don't think many people will be convinced by his suggestion that he was merely trying to start a debate, as that was neither the tone nor content of his original speech, but if he wishes to cling to the fiction that that's what he was trying to do, so be it. If I was a member of that Council, however, I'd be looking fairly closely at whether someone with such an apparent propensity for opening his mouth before engaging his brain or finding out the facts was the best person to be the public figurehead for my area!

[deadlylampshade]

Looks like a prepared statement - by someone else!

If the interview on Radio 4 is anything to go by that his not his style of delivery AT ALL.

Starting the debate argument is his way of trying to extricate himself. He should be allowed to extricate himself without any further humiliation and then perhaps , slowly but firmly, taken out of any lime light or position of authority.

[Madweasels]

"The strong interest from the Archaeology fraternity can only be positive in helping with this change."

What change? The preceding sentence make sit look as if he proposed early discussions and minimal site disruption, and that archaeologists agree with him. This is a slimey u-turn that then steals Heyworth's thunder. Politically very astute.

[Simon Collcutt]

Mr. Melton revised?

http://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/3260/L...rchaeology

[archie]

what an idiot....someone shoved his words firmly up his behind and forced a few more out of his mouth