Tuesday 10 February 2015
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
I spotted in the Gazette Officialle that a house has been added to the protected building register and five have been removed.
I assume this is part of the updating of the protected building register, which I know the department is working hard on.
Can I have some details about how the review is going - how many properties have been examined and how many still need to be examined.
I know it was estimated it would take until 2023 to complete the work - is that still looking like a realistic target?
How is the department ordering its checking for historic houses?
Why was it decided to remove these houses from the register?
Can I also double check if this is the first large-scale removal of houses from the register as part of the review? If others have been removed or added, how many have there been?
Environment Department Response:
Can I have some details about how the review is going - how many properties have been examined and how many still need to be examined.
340 properties have been visited by officers for assessment. Approximately 1,375 are still to be visited or assessed.
I know it was estimated it would take until 2023 to complete the work - is that still looking like a realistic target?
One of the Department's duties under the Law is to prepare, maintain and keep up to date a protected buildings list. This is an on-going duty. However, the Department has embarked on a project to review the protected buildings list, which in summary seeks to ensure buildings on the list are worthy of protection. This part of the project is scheduled to end in 2016.
How is the department ordering its checking for historic houses?
The Department's published 'Community Guide to the Review of the Protected Buildings List' (link below) explains the review process in detail.
http://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=83571&p=0
Why was it decided to remove these houses from the register?
The review is in two parts:
- A review of the buildings on the existing list of protected buildings to assess whether they have enough special interest to remain on the list: and
- Consideration of buildings that have had an initial evaluation but are not currently on the list of protected buildings to assess if they have enough special interest to be included on the list.
Criteria have been established and approved by the Environment Board for determining whether a building should be included on or removed from the protected buildings list. The link below will take you to the published approved Criteria for the Selection of Buildings for the Protected Buildings List (March 2014).
http://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=87060&p=0
The properties that have been removed from the List do not meet the approved Criteria for inclusion on the protected buildings list.
Can I also double check if this is the first large-scale removal of houses from the register as part of the review? If others have been removed or added, how many have there been?
To 30th December 2014, 15 buildings have been added to the list. 27 buildings have been removed from the list. 8 buildings have had their Notice amended.
NOTE: All of the figures given above are accurate up to 30th December 2014.
Contact Information:
Jim Rowles, Director of Planning
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
