Last week the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) released their consultation outcome, which sought views on the possibility of introducing legislation for conservation covenants in England.
DEFRA are looking to use the Law Commission’s draft Bill as a basis for legislating, with a few changes which would include:
- allowing for-profit bodies to become responsible bodies;
- requiring responsible bodies to include the location and headline objectives of conservation covenants in annual reports;
- requiring tenants entering covenants to have at least 15 years remaining on their lease and the landlord’s consent.
They also asked whether landlords should secure agreement of relevant tenants when entering a covenant.
DEFRA received 112 responses from a variety of sectors, including from ourselves, Historic England, Historic Houses [Alliance member] and The National Trust [Alliance Member]. As a result of these responses DEFRA has decided to introduce legislation for covenants in England in the Environment Bill which are private and voluntary agreements, in line with out recommendations. Guidance will be developed to assist parties to conservation covenants.
To read DEFRA’s full response to the consultation, click here.