10th March 2025: The government has announced its intention to make changes to the statutory consultee system, including a consultation into the impact of removing the statutory consultee role from the Gardens Trust, Sports England and the Theatres Trust. We do not currently know how the consultation will be framed or when it will start, but will keep you informed.
11th March 2025: The Garden Trust Council response: The Gardens Trust is dismayed to learn that the government intends to consider removing it as a statutory consultee within the English planning system.
We don’t recognise ourselves in the government’s characterisation of statutory consultees. We only rarely miss the 21-day response deadline (remarkable given that we work closely with local volunteers in forming our responses), and last year objected to less than 10% of our consultations, with the remainder of our responses being simply supportive advice.
We are passionate about the role that the UK’s world-famous historic parks and gardens can play in supporting positive economic growth and healthy cohesive societies, and eager to continue helping this in our role as statutory consultee. For the full response please link to the Gardens Trust website:
