Heritage protection reform
The Government is proposing to change the current system of heritage protection. Main changes proposed are;
- Creation of a new unified register to replace the current system of listed buildings, scheduled ancient monuments, parks, gardens, battlefields and marine assets
- Setting up of new designation procedures for historic assets
- Making English Heritage responsible for designation
- Introduction of a new single consent to replace listed building and scheduled monument consent
- Amalgamation of conservation area consent with planning permission
- Maintenance of a historic environment record to be a statutory duty
- Publication of revised government guidance relating to the historic environment.
Some changes can be implemented with current legislation, others will need a new act of Parliament. The draft Heritage Protection Bill, which contained the proposed changes, was dropped from the Queen's Speech in December 2008 so its progress through Parliament has been delayed for the time being. The English Heritage site 
explains which changes can and cannot proceed without the bill. You can see more information and downloads about heritage protection reform on these websites: