Historic Buildings Council

The HBC advises the Department through its Environmental Policy Division (EPD), which prepares policy and legislation on environmental matters; Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), which implements environmental policy; and Planning Service on the designation of Conservation Areas. The matters on which HBC has an advisory role are specified in the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 and the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991: this legislation may be obtained from The Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street Belfast BT1 4GD; telephone 028 90 238451.

These include:

• compiling or amending the list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest;
• designating of Conservation Areas of special architectural or historic interest
• keeping under review, and from time to time reporting on, the general state of preservation of listed buildings;
• advising the Department on such matters relating to the preservation of buildings of special architectural or historic interest as the Department may refer to it;
• advising on applications for the exemption of listed buildings from Capital Transfer Tax; and
• advising on the issue of certificates stating that a building is not intended to be listed.

The Council is appointed by the Department of the Environment. Appointments are subject to the Code of Practice for Public Appointments procedures and to the approval of the Minister of the Environment. EPD has responsibility for processing appointments to HBC and holds information relating to these appointments.

The Council consists of a Chairman and not more than 14 members. Members are appointed for a maximum period of 3 years but are eligible for reappointment for one further term.

Members are unpaid but are reimbursed for travelling and subsistence expenses and, where appropriate, for expenses incurred in relation to care of dependants.

Information on HBC membership can be found on the EHS website

The procedures followed for making appointments are detailed on the DOE Publication Scheme, at http://www.doeni.gov.uk/foi/search/details.asp?docid=1219