Data sought for IHBC listed buildings prosecutions database

[edit] Introduction

Updated data is being sought for IHBC’s listed buildings (LB) prosecutions database. The database was created in 1996 as a resource for comparative information about unauthorised activity related to LBs. It is dependent on data that has been voluntarily provided by IHBC members.

[edit] Significance of data

IHBC's research consultant and Government Officer Bob Kindred MBE BA IHBC MRTPI explains, “Successful prosecutions for listed building offences have often found the Institute’s online UK LB prosecutions database invaluable in briefing local authority legal and/or enforcement teams. The database and its companion resource, Historic England's ‘Heritage Crime Guidance for Sentencers 2017’ have been equally helpful to the courts when considering sentencing.”

The IHBC has found that “some local authority prosecutions have been successfully concluded, but the details have not been forwarded to us,” says Kindred, which means the Institute has had to depend instead on reports from local newspapers.

He adds, “In informing IHBC directly, we can follow in particular cases resulting in low fines to see if these were informed (or not) by the database or the Historic England guidance or our other guidance.”

[edit] Reporting cases

IHBC members who have been involved with a case - particularly one that has not already been added to the database - are asked to forward the details to Bob Kindred at government@ihbc.org.uk. If possible, reports should provide available details, including:

• Size of fine.
• Costs awarded.
• Nature of the offence;
• Address.
• Grade of building.

Kindred notes that additional information (e.g., a guilty plea or observations by the court), a press release or photos is always informative.

This article originally appeared on the IHBC NewsBlog under the headline, ‘New data sought for IHBC’s “LB Prosecutions Database”: Help the IHBC help you (and in court too)’! It was published on 11 May 2021.

Institute of Historic Building Conservation

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Alterations to listed buildings guidance note.
• Cautions or formal warnings in relation to potential listed building offences in England and Wales.
• Heritage Cases on Enforcement Registers in England.
• IHBC articles.
• IHBC Listed Buildings Prosecutions Database.
• Listed buildings.
• The history of listed buildings.
• Use of direct action in heritage enforcement cases in England.

[edit] External resources

• Historic England, Heritage Crime Guidance for Sentencers.
• IHBC, LB Prosecutions Database.
• IHBC, Listed Buildings Prosecution Database Commentary.