Campaigner urges central government to grant automatic approval of old build conservation
The Town and Country Planning Act, originating in 1909 is the crux of English land law concerning land use planning
HERITAGE CAMPAIGN: David Barton, community campaigner for Sefton
A campaigner for the heritage of Sefton is beckoning Central Government change the law to improve conservation using environmentally conducive construction practices and raw materials to combat the climate crisis.
The Town and Country Planning Act, originating in 1909 is the crux of English land law concerning land use planning. It has continued to be adapted through time acknowledging issues of the day, although with the overarching theme of comprising sustainable economic development entwined with a better environment.
The Ancient Monument Protection Act 1882 was the first such piece of legislation accommodating for the protection of pre-existing buildings, although this only covered a microcosm of assets across the UK at the time. Subsequent editions of the legislation have managed to integrate a greater cross-section of the landscape.
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The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 was a definitive piece of government policy going further to preserve historic buildings with detailed outlines of expectations and support for land and property owners. Whilst serving as the present law on the subject, this has been followed up by amendments in 2009 and ongoing extensive policy work in 2020 seeking to expand high quality traditional buildings styles into new construction.
Mr Barton, in a move to make traditional style planning more attractive and lucratively appealing to commerce and enterprise, is recommending Central Government permit direct automatic planning approval for those making genuine restorative improvements to their properties with the ability to extend this goodwill outside of officially designated Conservation Areas. David Barton is endeavouring with his overarching campaign to bring levelling up growth to the Borough.
Mr Barton has been trialling Birkdale Village as a live action road map of how Levelling Up can be achieved on a local basis with the potential of his concepts being formally adopted by all tiers of Government. The community campaigner has combined theory with practical application in the hope of delivering change beneficial to everyone in society, whilst respecting the environment.
In providing solutions to common day problems, it is hoped this will bring immediate and far-ranging advantage for all irrespective of their background or views through actively engaging with people’s concerns in a meaningful way. Mr Barton says: “In a modern age where global nations are being actively encouraged to be greener it’s imperative that absolutely every measure is taken to instil good working conventions in everyday business.
“Whilst sources have alluded to greenwashing and the nil results derived from carbon offsetting, it is only by taking the issue head on by pursuing the direct trapping of carbon that we stand to reverse the negative harmful effects of the ever-worsening weather and continuing blighted streetscapes that are becoming ever more characterless. It is surprising that something as simple yet strongly effective as this hasn’t happened already, however if Central Government does integrate this proposal then we may start to see actually deserving homes being built that aren’t just being constructed for the sake of profit that also prize quantity over quality.”
Submitted by David Barton
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