Historic England

Historic England
Name	Historic England
Type	Executive non-departmental public body
Founded	01 April 2015
Predecessor	English Heritage (operational functions)
Headquarters	The Engine House, Swindon
Region served	England
Key people	Sir Laurie Magnus (Chair), Duncan Wilson (Chief Executive)
Parent organization	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Website	historicengland.org.uk

Historic England. It is the government's statutory adviser on the historic environment in England, officially established as an executive non-departmental public body in April 2015. The body was formed when the former English Heritage was divided into two separate organizations: one retaining the English Heritage name as a charity managing the National Heritage Collection of historic properties, and the other, this organization, taking on the statutory planning, research, and advisory functions. Its mission is to champion and protect England's historic buildings, archaeological sites, and landscapes, providing expert advice to local planning authorities, the public, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

History

The origins of the organization lie in the Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882, which first established legal protection for archaeological sites in Britain. This was followed by the creation of the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and later the Ministry of Works. In 1983, the National Heritage Act 1983 established the English Heritage as a combined regulator and site manager. Following a review by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2013, the decision was made to separate these functions. On 1 April 2015, the new body was launched, inheriting the statutory and advisory roles, while the care of the Stonehenge, Tintagel Castle, and over 400 other sites was transferred to the newly independent English Heritage charity.

Functions and responsibilities

Its primary role is to provide expert, evidence-based advice on heritage matters within the National Planning Policy Framework. This includes assessing applications affecting listed buildings, scheduled monuments, and conservation areas. It maintains the National Heritage List for England, a definitive database of all designated heritage assets. The organization also conducts and commissions extensive archaeological and architectural research, such as the National Mapping Programme and extensive surveys of post-war architecture. It works closely with local authorities like the City of London Corporation and bodies such as National Highways to ensure development respects the historic environment.

Designations

It is responsible for recommending sites for statutory protection to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. These designations include Grade I, II*, and Grade II listed buildings; scheduled monuments; registered parks and gardens; registered battlefields; and protected wreck sites. Recent designation campaigns have focused on expanding the recognition of 20th-century architecture, including buildings by architects like Denys Lasdun and Alison and Peter Smithson, and underrepresented heritage such as that of the Windrush generation.

Governance and structure

The organization operates as an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It is led by a Chair, currently Sir Laurie Magnus, and a Chief Executive, Duncan Wilson. It is governed by a board of commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Its staff include specialist teams in areas like archaeological science, architectural history, and aerial investigation, operating from its main office in Swindon and regional offices across England. It also works in partnership with other bodies such as the National Trust, the Church of England, and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of Wales.

Notable projects and campaigns

It runs several major public-facing initiatives to engage with heritage. The annual Heritage at Risk Register highlights historic sites most vulnerable to neglect or decay. Major research projects include the extensive survey of England's medieval parish churches and the recording of First World War remains. Campaigns like "Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places", championed by figures like Mary Beard, have sought to broaden public understanding. It also manages the Blue Plaques scheme in London, commemorating notable residents like Alan Turing and Virginia Woolf.

Archives and collections

The organization holds and provides public access to one of the largest publicly accessible archives in the United Kingdom, the Historic England Archive. This contains over 12 million photographs, drawings, reports, and records from projects like the National Buildings Record and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. Key collections include the Aerofilms aerial photography collection and the records of the Listing process. These resources are made available through its archive in Swindon and online platforms, supporting research by bodies like the University of Oxford and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Category:Organisations based in Swindon Category:Heritage organisations in England Category:2015 establishments in England