National Heritage Act 1983

33 The Commission’s general functions.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of the Commission (so far as practicable)—

(a)to secure the preservation of ancient monuments and historic buildings situated in England,

(b)to promote the preservation and enhancement of the character and appearance of conservation areas situated in England, and

(c)to promote the public’s enjoyment of, and advance their knowledge of, ancient monuments and historic buildings situated in England and their preservation,

in exercising the functions conferred on them by virtue of subsections (2) to (4) and section 34; but in the event of a conflict between those functions and that duty those functions shall prevail.

(2)The Commission—

(a)shall (so far as practicable) provide educational facilities and services, instruction and information to the public in relation to ancient monuments and historic buildings, with particular reference to those in England, and in relation to conservation areas situated in England;

(b)may give advice to any person in relation to ancient monuments, historic buildings and conservation areas situated in England, whether or not they have been consulted;

(c)may, for the purpose of exercising their functions, carry out, or defray or contribute towards the cost of, research in relation to ancient monuments, historic buildings and conservation areas situated in England;

(d)may, for the purpose of exercising their functions, make and maintain records in relation to ancient monuments and historic buildings situated in England.

[F1(2A)In relation to England, the Commission may—

(a)prosecute any offence under Part I of the M1Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 or under the M2Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, or

(b)institute in their own name proceedings for an injunction to restrain any contravention of any provision of that Part or of that Act of 1990.]

[F2(2B)In relation to England, the Commission may make, or join in the making of, applications under section 73(1) of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, and may exercise, or participate in the exercise of, any rights or powers conferred by a scheme approved under section 70 of that Act.]

(3)Schedule 4 shall have effect to amend the enactments there mentioned—

(a)for the purpose of conferring functions on the Commission in relation to England (including functions of making grants in relation to historic buildings and conservation areas, acquiring historic buildings, acquiring or becoming guardian of ancient monuments, providing information and other services to the public in connection with affording them access to ancient monuments, and undertaking archaeological investigation and publishing the results), and

(b)for connected purposes (which include allowing the Secretary of State to approve lists of historic buildings compiled by the Commission, and imposing requirements for him to consult with the Commission before he includes a monument in the schedule of monuments or grants scheduled monument consent or designates an area of archaeological importance).

(4)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2)(b), the Commission may advise the Secretary of State with regard to the exercise of functions exercisable by him in relation to England under the M3Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 and the M4Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, whether or not they have been consulted.

(5)For the purpose of exercising their functions the Commission may, subject to the provisions of this and any other Act—

(a)enter into contracts and other agreements;

(b)acquire and dispose of property other than land;

(c)with the consent of the Secretary of State, acquire land for providing the Commission with office or other accommodation and dispose of the land when no longer required for such accommodation;

(d)do such other things as the Commission think necessary or expedient.

(6)The Commission may make such charges as they may from time to time determine in respect of anything provided under subsection (2)(a) or given under subsection (2)(b) to any person other than a Minister of the Crown.

(7)With the consent of the Secretary of State, the Commission may borrow temporarily by way of overdraft such sums as they may require for meeting their obligations and discharging their functions.

(8)In subsections (1) and (2)—

• “ancient monument” means any structure, work, site, garden or area which in the Commission’s opinion is of historic, architectural, traditional, artistic or archaeological interest;

• “conservation area” means an area designated as a conservation area under [F3section 67 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990];

• “historic building” means any building which in the Commission’s opinion is of historic or architectural interest.