The CLA’s 36,000 members manage and/or own between a quarter and a third of all heritage in England and Wales. Each year our members spend at least a billion pounds on repairing historic buildings, welcome millions of visitors, paying and non-paying, and make many thousands of applications for planning permission and listed building consent. We are by far the biggest 'owner' stakeholder group in the heritage field.
CLA heritage news (frequently-updated)
CLA heritage policy and achievements
Frequently-asked heritage questions (for example whether you need Listed Building Consent, whether you will get it, or whether anyone will give you a grant)
The CLA 2005-06 Member Heritage Survey report "Who pays for Heritage", published in 2006
There are links to a number of relevant external websites at the foot of this page.
Making heritage a source of pleasure and income - rather than anxiety and cost - is one of the biggest challenges faced by many CLA members.
The CLA is taking an increasing interest in heritage, both in helping members and in lobbying for change, and has a specialist Heritage Adviser, Jonathan Thompson, and a Heritage Working Group of CLA members, chaired by Henry Shaw.
Not a CLA member Few organisations are actively working for those who own - and pay for - heritage. As a CLA member you can benefit from free advice on heritage alongside our other advice services on tax, law, planning, and the rural economy. You do not necessarily need to farm, or to own any significant amount of land to join - a high proportion of our members have a house, a few outbuildings, and a small amount of land. Further benefits of membership can be obtained here or via the home page of this website.
For prompt advice please contact your CLA regional surveyor or adviser in the first instance. » Adviser Contacts
Advises on heritage issues. After experience in property development, he ran the Landmark Trust's historic buildings holiday letting business 1995-2000, was then chief executive of the Architectural Heritage Fund 2000-03, and has been involved directly and indirectly in hundreds of historic building regeneration projects across the UK. He is also a part-time Consultant at CgMs, one of the largest firms of historic buildings and planning consultants.
Phone: 020 7460 7942
Fax: 020 7235 4696
Email jonathan.thompson@cla.org.uk
Responsible for national planning policy issues. Also provides advice to members on development control issues.
Phone: 020 7460 7944
Fax: 020 7235 4696
Email fenella.collins@cla.org.uk
A solicitor, advises on administrative law issues, including conservation and heritage issues, planning and compulsory purchase.
Phone: 020 7460 7953
Fax: 020 7235 4696
Email christopher.price@cla.org.uk
Relevant Government departments and related bodies
Department for Culture Media and Sport (responsible for designation and English Heritage)
Department for Communities and Local Government (responsible for local authorities and planning in England)
DEFRA (responsible for agriculture, environment in England)
Planning policy statements
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
Planning Policy Guidance note 15 (PPG15) - Planning and the historic environment
Planning Policy Guidance Note 16 (PPG16) - Archaeology and Planning
Information
HELM (a useful source of information on managing the historic environment in England - of help also in Wales)
English Heritage/IHBC Local Authority Conservation Provision Survey (2003)
English Heritage/IHBC/ALGAO Conservation Provision Survey 2009
Other relevant organisations
Heritage Alliance (the heritage sector lobbying organisation of which the CLA is a member)