In the wake of the turbulent events of the summer in which Black Lives Matter protestors toppled the statue of the slaver Edward Colston and dumped it in Bristol harbour, and similar statues such as that of the slaver Robert Milligan were removed by more peaceful means, the Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has recently announced new measures to tighten the planning process around such monuments.
In order to prevent ‘our nation’s heritage’ being ‘removed without proper debate, consultation and due process’ local authorities will be obliged to seek planning permission to alter or remove ‘heritage assets’, including unlisted ones. The legislation also will give the minister a veto over any planned removals or alterations.
