Up to 670,000 new homes could be created by bringing historic buildings back into use, MPs have said, as they call for a ‘re-use first’ approach to planning policy.
A report from the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee, published today, follows an 18-month inquiry into the state of the UK’s built heritage. It found that listed buildings, churches, industrial heritage and monuments are under increasing strain from cost pressures, workforce shortages and an inconsistent planning system.
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, chair of the CMS Committee, said: “Old buildings and other pieces of our past play a vital economic, social and cultural role in our communities, but the sight of leaking roofs, crumbling brickwork and vacant premises illustrates how the current policy approach to heritage is failing miserably to support either its protection or potential.
“Historic England says that there is potential to create a whopping 670,000 new homes and yet the government’s approach reveals a deep complacency, is devoid of ambition, and shows a complete lack of imagination.”
The committee is calling on the government to introduce a ‘heritage-to-housing’ scheme, drawing on international examples such as Italy’s €1 homes initiative, to bring vacant and at-risk historic buildings into residential use. Historic England estimates the approach could deliver up to 670,000 homes – equivalent to almost half of the government’s 1.5m homes target.
The report also warns that the current VAT regime discourages repair and reuse of historic buildings by making it more expensive than new construction. The committee is calling for targeted VAT relief for maintenance and conversion work, along with sustained funding for repairs to churches and other places of worship.
Government-owned historic buildings, including military bases and prisons, are being left to deteriorate with little consequence, the report finds, and it calls on ministers to lead by example in maintaining public heritage assets.
The committee also warns that shortages in the heritage workforce pose one of the most serious risks to the long-term protection of the UK’s built heritage, and recommends the creation of a ‘heritage skills hub’ to promote careers in the sector, working with Skills England, Historic England and industry bodies.
Compelling evidence
Dinenage added: “We heard compelling evidence that the best way of protecting a building is for it to be occupied, used, lived in and loved. Other countries with a similarly rich heritage have shown what can be achieved by thinking outside the box. ‘Re-use first’ should be the guiding principle, with a heritage to housing scheme offering a clear win-win by preserving our historic buildings and helping to meet the pressing need for new homes.
“Ministers also need to ensure adequate funding that incentivises repairs and renewal over construction, and meet head on the serious risk to heritage posed by the lack of skills and workforce in the sector.
“It also shouldn’t be right that private owners face significant obligations to protect historic buildings, while government departments are able to allow heritage assets to rot at public expense.
“All the time that the government allows our historic environment to continue to deteriorate, we risk losing out on not just links to our past but on opportunities for economic growth and regeneration in our communities.”
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Committee, said: “It is a great shame that whilst we face a housing crisis, there are hundreds of thousands of historic buildings lying empty or under-used. This presents a real opportunity to tackle the chronic shortage of housing in this country.
“As discussed at the LGA’s Annual Conference, councils stand ready to work with government and partners to help bring these back into use and give thousands of families a home.
“The committee is right to recognise the resourcing challenges and the need to tackle the shortage of skills in the heritage workforce. More investment in planning and conservation officers, particularly in rural and economically underperforming areas would allow local government to accelerate planning work.
“As the report identifies, funding for built heritage is fragmented. Aligning the different funding streams would also mean existing funding can go further and have more impact on communities.”
Main image: Wadworth Brewery, Devizes, Wiltshire. Copyright © Historic England Archive
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