English Heritage Launches Listed Building Database

Today hardworking Richard Waite of the Architects Journal writes.
http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/

English Heritage launches listed building database


24 May, 2011
By Richard Waite
A new online database has been launched by English Heritage (EH) that provides the details of 400,000 listed buildings, registered parks, gardens and battlefields, protected shipwrecks and scheduled monuments
The National Heritage List for England allows users to search a central list for different types of heritage by category, postcode, date or grade.
It has been created to provide members of the public with information that would not have normally been easily accessed, in the hopes that people will better understand the importance of heritage in the country.
EH launched the list in conjunction with the unveiling of its latest programme, which has been guided by the National Heritage Protection Plan. This guidance sets out which parts of England’s vulnerable historic environment are to safeguarded, as well as stating how and why English Heritage will achieve this.
Developed in consultation with a wide range of partners, it shows where the threats are the greatest and will help English Heritage to prioritise its work. It will also help other heritage professionals and volunteers to contribute to the business of managing England’s heritage.
Architecture minister John Penrose said: ‘Our built heritage - which ranges from castles and cathedrals to troughs and telephone boxes - is one of the really great things about this country, and one of the reasons that people from all around the world most often cite for wanting to come here.
‘The information English Heritage compiles and makes available is not only interesting in itself but vital as a way of helping people develop a sense of history and identity in their own communities, making each place different from the next.
‘I am delighted that today sees the launch of the National Heritage List for England which makes information about nearly 400,000 designated places easily accessible to everyone.’

Some of the priorities identified in the plan are:
:: Marine and coastal heritage;
:: 20th Century heritage; historic towns and suburbs;
:: Rescuing heritage at risk; supporting local authorities and building local capacity;
:: Ensuring heritage protection continues under changes to planning system;
:: Supporting the sale of public assets and encouraging their sympathetic re-use;
:: Safeguarding heritage amid increasing development pressures;
:: Tackling heritage crime; and
:: Understanding the energy performance of historic buildings and help homeowners adapt and ‘green up’ their properties in the most effective way

How will this help the Wellington Rooms?