Historic England a newly-named non-departmental public body has been established that will be dedicated to providing expert and impartial advice and championing the wider historic environment.
It will manage and promote the properties and sites in the National Heritage Collection, numbering more than 400, will be set up as well as a separate one to provide expert advice and act as a champion for the sector.
Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey said: This new model for protecting England’s heritage and promoting its precious sites and buildings gives us the best chance for more than a generation to do both.
The funding will address a backlog of repairs and enable more of our heritage to be made accessible to greater numbers of visitors.”
The plan, announced in June 2013, means that the properties currently run by English Heritage – including Stonehenge, parts of Hadrian’s Wall and Osborne House – will remain in public ownership, but will be managed by a charitable trust, using the same name.
The Government is providing £80m of capital investment to restore and present the properties, creating jobs, stimulating local economies, boosting the heritage workforce and improving visitors’ experience at the sites.
A further £8.5 million has been allocated to fund implementation of the new structure.
No changes are proposed to English Heritage’s duties and powers in planning and heritage protection.
It will strengthen its relationship with owners and promote public engagement with England’s heritage.