Ecclesiastical exemption
Works to places of worship for exempt religious denominations may require planning permission, but under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, they are exempt from listed building and conservation area consent.
Details of the exemption are set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and in the Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (England) Order 2010. Note, this order only applies to England.
The exemption applies to places of worship, their contents and curtilage, but not to residences. More detailed definitions are provided for Church of England Cathedrals.
Exempt works might include, repairs, alterations, extensions or partial demolition.
The exemption applies to recognised religious bodies that can demonstrate to the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) that they have procedures in place that provide controls over works to listed buildings and to unlisted buildings in conservation areas that are equal to normal listed building and conservation area controls. DCMS consult Historic England when considering applications.
Guidance is set out by DCMS in The Operation of the Ecclesiastical Exemption and related planning matters for places of worship in England 2010, which states that:
‘Denominational systems of control need to be open and transparent. The systems should provide similar levels of consultation and engagement with local communities, and with the statutory consultees - planning authorities, Historic England and the national amenity societies - as is required in relation to the secular control system and they must comply with the provisions of the Code of Practice’ (the Code of Practice is Annex A to the guidance).
At present, the exempt denominations in England are:
- The Baptist Union of Great Britain.
- The Church of England.
- The Methodist Church.
- The Roman Catholic Church.
- The United Reformed Church.
NB Under Section 61 (8) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, ecclesiastical buildings cannot be scheduled monuments and so do not require scheduled monument consent.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Anchorhold.
- Chancel repair liability.
- Church Heritage Record.
- Conservation area.
- Historic England.
- Listed buildings.
- Manse.
- Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011.
- Planning permission.
- Quinquennial inspection.
- Scheduled monuments.
- Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
[edit] External references
IHBC NewsBlog
Crystal Palace Subway, for 160th anniversary
The remarkable Grade II* listed Crystal Palace Subway in South London begins a new era following major restoration.
National Trust brings nature back to an area twice the size of Manchester in less than a decade
The National Trust has achieved its aim of creating or restoring 25,000 hectares of priority habitat on its land by 2025.
18th-century hospital in York to become sustainable homes
A former mental health establishment founded by a Quaker in 1792 is to be converted into 120 energy-efficient homes in York.
Context 180 Released - Where Heritage and Nature Meet
The issue includes life, death, Forests, bats, landscapes and much more.
Church architecture awards 2024: now open
The National Churches Trust has announced three awards, all of which are run in partnership with the Ecclesiastical Architects & Surveyors Association (EASA).
The essential sector guide includes officers' updates and a foreword by EH Chair Gerard Lemos.
Historic England opens nominations for the National Blue Plaque Scheme
The scheme is open to nominations to celebrate people from all walks of life.
Striking photos show nature reclaiming brutalist concrete
‘Brutalist Plants’ explores nature’s links to the architectural style characterised by imposing form and exposed concrete.
Purcell’s guidance on RAAC for Listed Buildings in England & Wales
The guidance specifically focuses on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in listed buildings.
IHBC Membership Journal Context - Latest Issue on 'Hadrian's Wall' Published
The issue includes takes on the wall 'end-to-end' including 'the man who saved it'.