22 CONTEXT 188 : JUNE 2026 CHARLES SMITH Consent orders for listed buildings Among much else, consent orders for listed buildings can enable conservation officers to focus their valuable time and essential expertise on the highest-impact cases. There has been a concerted focus on streamlining the planning system ever since the publication of the Planning for the Future white paper in 2020. At its core, streamlining is about ensuring that planning decisions are faster, simpler and more efficient, with the goal of accelerating delivery of sustainable development. The heritage consent process has an important role to play in realising this government ambition. In 2023/24 there were 25,600 applications for listed building consent (LBC). The vast majority of these applications were granted: 92 per cent in 2023/24, comparing favourably with the granting of 86 per cent of all planning permissions. On the other hand, the number of LBC decisions made in time has for many years lagged behind all planning decisions: in 2023/24, only 77 per cent of LBC decisions were made on time, compared to 86 per cent of planning decisions, causing delays and frustration for owners and developers. This disappointing proportion is perhaps not surprising given that the total number of conservation officers at local authorities has reduced by over a third since 2008, with those who are left often having to deal with high caseloads. In this context, it is essential to fully utilise other tools that exist to streamline the system to enable heritage staff to focus their time on positively influencing the most significant planning matters, and to give welcome certainty to owners and applicants. One such tool is heritage partnership agreements, which are designed to manage a specific building or set of buildings. These are made by a local authority with any owner(s), and may include engagement with other interested parties, including Historic England. Another tool, for which there is increasing interest, is consent orders for listed buildings. Consent orders for listed buildings There are two types of consent orders: local and national. Both are designed to provide a proactive consent for a prescribed set of works (excluding demolition) to listed buildings covered by the order. This broadly means that owners of those buildings included have the certainty of permission without having to make individual applications, so long as works are carried out in compliance with the requirements set out in the order. Such orders are intended to be A terrace of houses in Lower Road, Port Sunlight, designed by Charles Reilly and built in 1906, listed Grade II. (Photo: Alex Liivet, Wikimedia)
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