Richard Tice MP has pledged to back the owners of the 758 properties in Boston & Skegness.
The MP made the call at an event in Parliament organised by The Listed Property Owners’ Club and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Listed Properties. The briefing event was attended by scores of MPs and peers.
The UK’s 500,000 listed buildings make a major contribution to the country’s tourism and education sectors, as well as play an invaluable part in fostering local pride and our national wellbeing. Indeed extensive research by Historic England shows that the economic value of our built heritage contributes over £15.3 billion annually to the UK economy.
However, listed property owners continue to endure a number of hits. VAT benefits were taken away in the 2012 budget, insuring a listed building remains extremely expensive, the planning system is inefficient and critically underfunded, and the shortage of appropriately skilled tradespeople is becoming more acute. All the while those same owners are required, by law, to maintain their listed property to the highest standard and out of their own pocket.
The Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness commented: “I really enjoyed attending The Listed Property Owners’ Club’s briefing event in Parliament, which was very informative.
“There are over 500,000 listed buildings across the UK, including around 758 listed buildings in my Boston and Skegness constituency. The owners of these properties play a pivotal role in maintaining and protecting our heritage for future generations to enjoy.
“I’m keen to ensure that the current listed building regime works effectively and does not place unnecessary burdens on owners.
“I pledge to do all I can to support listed property owners in Boston & Skegness going forward.”
Director at The Listed Property Owners’ Club, Martin Anslow, added: “The 1.5 million people living in listed buildings in the UK have seen the cost of owning and maintaining a listed building increase significantly over the years. Complex regulations, reduced planning resources and the elimination of grant support have all made owning and maintaining a listed building much more expensive.
“That’s why The Listed Property Owners’ Club is campaigning to reduce the cost of ownership by reducing tax on listed buildings and simplifying the planning system.
“The Club is grateful to Richard Tice MP for the support he gives the owners of the 758 listed properties in Boston and Skegness, and we look forward to working with him.”
