Catalogue description Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England: Historic Buildings Advisory Committee: Minutes and Papers

The National Heritage Act of 1983 established the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (HBMCE). The new Commission, which began operations in 1984, took on the functions of the former Department of the Environment's Historic Buildings Council (which had been abolished by section 39 of the same legislation).

Ancient monuments had been in some way protected since the passing of the Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1882 empowered the Commissioners of Works to accept as a gift or bequest or to purchase or accept guardianship of ancient monuments. However, this protection had not generally extend to inhabited houses until the Town & Country Planning Act of 1932 gave the new Minister of Town & Country Planning scope to preserve existing buildings or other objects of architectural, historic or artistic interest.

Subsequent legislation required the Minister to list historic buildings and to consult experts during the listing process (1944 Town and Country Planning Act). This led to the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest within the Ministry of Town and Country Planning.

Further legislation in 1953 extended this protection to privately owned historic buildings, and empowered the Minister of Works to appoint three separate Historic Buildings Councils - one each for England, Scotland and Wales.

The Historic Buildings Council for England advised the Minister on the exercise of powers to make grants and loans towards repairs and maintenance of Historic Buildings, to acquire such buildings or to assist other organisations (such as the National Trust) to do so. Support was provided by the architectural and archaeological staff of the Ministry's Ancient Monuments Branch.

In 1972, the Town & Country Planning (Amendment) Act gave the Council the additional responsibility of advising the Secretary of State on his power to make grants or loans towards the costs incurred in the promotion, preservation or enhancement of outstanding conservation areas. From 1970, the Historic Buildings Council had been the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, where it continued to function as a separate unit within the new department's Directorate of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings until 1984.

The duties of the new Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (HBMCE), established in 1984, were not only to secure the preservation of ancient monuments and historic buildings and to promote the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas. The new independent body was also tasked with promoting the public's enjoyment of, and advancing their knowledge of, ancient monuments and historic buildings, and their preservation. Accordingly, HBMCE set up its own membership organisation (English Heritage) which entitled members to free access to the sites and buildings in its care. From 1989 HBMCE became known as 'English Heritage'.

Initially, HBMCE established separate advisory committees for ancient monuments, historic buildings, historic areas and London. From 1992 the Historic Buildings and Historic Areas Committees were amalgamated.