Protecting built heritage inquiry: MPs hear from historic places of worship and creative industries
The second evidence session of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s protecting built heritage inquiry will focus on the challenges faced by historic places of worship and the relationships between built heritage and the creative industries.
Meeting details
The first part of the session will explore the challenges religious communities encounter when maintaining churches and other buildings. These communities hold an important responsibility; 45% of the most significant listed buildings in the UK are religious buildings
The committee is likely to explore the effectiveness of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which allows historic places of worship to reclaim VAT on the cost of repair and refurbishment. Despite campaigning from the sector and MPs, the scheme has never been made permanent, and in January a cap was introduced for individual claims. There has been no announcement on the continuation of the scheme beyond March next year.
The second part of the meeting will hear from representatives from theatres, museums and the nighttime industries on the benefits historic buildings bring to creative organisations. Heritage and creative organisations have argued that historic sites can inspire and facilitate the UK’s artists and traditions.
Witnesses are likely to be asked about the value of cultural heritage and whether it is being sufficiently protected by the planning system. This follows the Government’s recent announcement of the proposed removal of the Theatres Trust as a statutory planning consultee.
The inquiry previously heard from owners and operators of heritage sites across the UK, including the National Trust. The Committee also took evidence from historian Alice Loxton.