Amenity society
In England and Wales, an amenity society is an organisation which monitors planning and development in a conservation area or other sensitive area.
National amenity societies
National amenity societies preserve historic art and architecture and operate at a national level. In England, the six principal societies are statutory consultees on alterations to listed buildings, and by law must be notified of any work to a listed building which involves any element of demolition.[1] These societies are:
- The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
- The Ancient Monuments Society
- The Council for British Archaeology
- The Georgian Group, concerned with buildings and planned landscapes dating from between 1700 and 1840
- The Victorian Society, concerned with buildings built from 1837 to 1914 (so also covers Edwardian architecture)
- The Twentieth Century Society, concerned with buildings dating from 1914 onwards
In addition to the above, the Garden History Society is a statutory consultee in relation to planning proposals likely to affect registered historic parks and gardens.[2]
Local amenity societies
Many civic societies in England and Wales comment non-statutorily on planning and historic building matters within their localities.
City of Westminster
In the City of Westminster, amenity societies are statutory consultees on planning matters including planning and listed building applications within their area.[3] Recognised amenity societies in Westminster include the Marylebone Association, Westminster Society, Residents Society of Mayfair and St James's, The Belgravia Society, and The Soho Society.[4]
References
- Department for Communities and Local Government (24 March 2015), Arrangements for handling heritage applications Direction 2015, www.gov.uk, retrieved 5 August 2015
- "Schedule 4 (s)", The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, www.legislation.gov.uk, 18 March 2015, retrieved 5 August 2015
- Westminster City Council Cabinet Member Report - Review of Amenity Societies and Payment of Grant, 2008. http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/newcsu/Cabinet%20Member%20Decisions/Built_Environment/2008/22%20-%20Review%20of%20Amenity%20Societies/Review%20of%20Amenity%20Societies%20(2).doc Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- "Recognised Amenity Societies in Westminster" (PDF). Westminster City Council. 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2020.