If you have ever previously applied for Listed Building Consent, or are considering applying in the near future, you might have been told that you can expect to receive feedback on your proposals from the National Amenity Societies, during the consultation period. But who are the National Amenity Societies and why do we consult them? In this blog post we explore these questions in more detail, providing you with a comprehensive round up of everything you need to know about the National Amenity Societies, and their crucial role in the UK planning process.
Who Are the National Amenity Societies?
The National Amenity Societies comprise a group of specialist voluntary heritage sector organisations, dedicated to preserving and promoting understandings of the historic environment. They focus on protecting buildings and structures of archaeological, historical, architectural, and artistic interest. There are seven National Amenity Societies. These comprise:
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Founded in 1877 by William Morris and fellow campaigners, SPAB is one of the oldest conservation organisations in the UK. SPAB advocates for the sensitive repair and conservation of historic buildings. SPAB's distinct and well-established approach centres around preserving the craftsmanship and materials that contribute to the character of older structures.
The Victorian Society Founded in 1958 by leading figures such as John Betjeman and Nikolaus Pevsner, The Victorian Society focusses on protecting architecture from the Victorian (1837-1901) and Edwardian (1901-1914) periods. The Victorian Society works to safeguard buildings from these periods, which are often at risk of neglect or unsympathetic alterations.
The Twentieth Century Society Established in 1979, as a direct response to growing interest in 20th century architecture, the Twentieth Century Society aims to protect 20th century architecture. The society covers buildings from 1914 onwards. Its remit includes modernist, post-war, and contemporary structures, which are sometimes undervalued due to their age and unique design.
The Georgian Group Founded in 1937, the Georgian Group comprises an English and Welsh conservation organisation that aims to preserve and promote Georgian architecture (1714-1830). Georgian buildings are known for their symmetry and proportion, and the Georgian Group works to ensure that they are sensitively maintained.
Historic Buildings and Places (HBAP) (Formerly The Ancient Monuments Society (AMS)) Founded in 1924, HBAP is concerned with historic buildings and monuments of all types and periods, including non designated heritage assets. It has a broad focus, covering everything from medieval churches to industrial heritage sites.
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) The CBA focuses on protecting archaeological sites and standing structures of historical importance. It takes a broad interest in the conservation of buildings of all periods and their historical contexts.
The Gardens Trust Formed in 2015, following a merger of the Garden History Society and the Association of Gardens Trust (representing the County Gardens Trusts of England and Wales), the Gardens Trust focusses on minimising harm to designed historic landscapes.
All of these societies boast an impressive membership, who are actively involved in shaping the society, as well as contributing to charitable aims. Most offer a wide range of voluntary opportunities, alongside events such as online lectures, annual conferences and group trips. For more information, check out the respective society's website.
What is the Joint Committee of The National Amenity Societies?
All these societies form part of the Joint Committee of The National Amenity Societies (JCNAS), who work in partnership with other organisations dedicated to carefully managing change in the historic environment, including public sector bodies such as Cadw and Historic England. In recognition of the considerable expertise of the individual societies, as well as the fact that they represent a significant portion of the public, it was decided by the UK Government, that under the 1968 Town and Country Planning Act the societies would henceforth become statutory consultees on all applications for listed building consent.
Statutory Role in Listed Building Consent Applications
In the context of the UK planning system, these societies play a crucial role, and are now formally recognised by law to provide expert opinions on certain types of planning applications, especially those affecting listed buildings. As previously stated, these societies are statutory consultees in the listed building consent process, meaning local planning authorities must consult them on specific applications. This ensures that expert conservation advice is considered when decisions are made about altering or demolishing listed buildings.
Under UK law, any proposed development involving alterations to, or the total or partial demolition of, a listed building must be referred to one or more of the National Amenity Societies, via the Joint Committee of The National Amenity Society. All applications, including those from both England and Wales, are uploaded to the Joint Committee of The National Amenity Societies Online Casework Database, which is operated by the CBA Buildings Archaeology Casework Team. Through the database, you can follow links to the local authority’s web pages to see details of the planning proposals.
Links to Historic England and Cadw’s information about the designated sites affected by proposals are also provided as well as those to the responses that the CBA have submitted, alongside those written by the other National Amenity Societies. The Team benefit from the help of a dedicated network of trained volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, who assist in uploading, managing and commenting on the applications received. If you care about historic buildings and want to support their conservation, why not consider becoming a Casework Input Volunteer?
Just as local planning authorities are legally required to inform the Joint Committee of the National Amenity Societies about relevant planning applications, the societies, in turn, are required to provide informed advice on the potential impact of proposed changes. The society typically has 21 days to respond with their comments and recommendations, but given that the respective societies are understood to assess over 5,500 applications for planning and listed building consent every year, this is no mean feet! On top of this, several of the societies offer pre-application advice, which is a great way to get early feedback on the feasibility of your development from a heritage perspective.
However, it is important to remember that whilst the advice of the societies is highly influential, it is not binding. Ultimately, the local authority has the final decision-making power but must consider the input of these expert bodies as part of its deliberations.
Why Are they National Amenity Societies Important?
National Amenity Societies serve as guardians of the nation’s heritage. They provide independent, expert guidance that often complements the input from local planning authorities and Historic England. Their work helps protect buildings not just for current owners but for future generations, ensuring that Britain’s architectural legacy is preserved.
Some key contributions include:
Expert advice: Societies offer detailed knowledge about different historical periods and building techniques, which is crucial when determining how to repair or modify listed buildings without damaging their character.
Lobbying and advocacy: They often campaign for the listing of buildings that may otherwise be at risk and lobby for stronger protections of historic sites.
Public awareness: Through educational programs, publications, and events, these societies raise awareness of the importance of heritage conservation.
Summary
The National Amenity Societies play a vital role in the preservation of the UK’s historic built environment. As statutory consultees on listed building consent applications, they help ensure that any changes to historically significant structures are carefully considered and executed in a way that respects their heritage. Their involvement is essential for maintaining the architectural and cultural history embedded in listed buildings across the country.
At Blue Willow Heritage, we provide expert advice on planning, the historic environment and conservation works to historic buildings. If you need support submitting and/or managing your application for planning and listed building consent, then Blue Willow Heritage can help. If you would like to discuss your project or simply would like to have a chat, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Comments