Culture and arts endorsed by CLG Select Committee’s draft National Planning Policy Framework Inquiry
21st December 2011
The Theatres Trust is delighted to see the recognition given to culture and the arts in the Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s report into the draft National Planning Policy Framework published today.
The Committee received many submissions that drew attention to the lack of specific references to culture and the arts in the draft NPPF and it has specifically recommended that the NPPF should include the arts, culture and tourism uses in the Town Centre First Policy.
It also states that it sees ‘a compelling case for the definition of sustainable development to include a cultural dimension as part of the social pillar of the definition of sustainable development’
The Theatres Trust is pleased that the Select Committee has listened to the call for culture and the arts to be clearly included in the NPPF.
Director Mhora Samuel said, “This is very encouraging. We were extremely concerned about the lack of any references to culture and the arts in the draft NPPF. The Select Committee’s report is a huge endorsement for culture and the arts and the role they play in achieving balanced sustainable development. We sincerely hope that the Government will adopt these recommendations.”
As a statutory consultee on theatres in the Planning system, the Trust is also pleased that the Committee has recommended that ‘the NPPF should refer to the role of statutory consultees as a safeguard for community amenities.’ If adopted this recommendation would significantly help the Trust to fulfil its role of promoting the better protection of theatres.
Notes for editors
1. For further information and images contact Mhora Samuel at The Theatres Trust: T 020 7836 8591 E mhora.samuel@theatrestrust.org.uk For urgent enquiries and over the holiday period call 07540 913915.
2. Submissions making the case for culture and the arts were received by Alan Butland, The Design Council, English Heritage, The Heritage Alliance, Institute of Historic Building Conservation, ixia, The Kings Theatre Trust, The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain, Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust, Michael Holden, The National Federation of Artists’ Studio Providers, The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire Quality Place Delivery Panel, The Theatres Trust, and Voluntary Arts.
3. The Theatres Trust is the National Advisory Public Body for Theatres and a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting land on which there is a theatre. This applies to all theatre buildings, old and new, in current use, in other uses, or disused. It was established by The Theatres Trust Act 1976 ‘to promote the better protection of theatres’. The Theatres Trust champions all theatres, historic, contemporary and new, as important places in our lives and supports and develops awareness of the protection and needs of UK theatres.
4. To read the Committee’s report click here
