Ecclesiastical exemption and guidance on scheduled monuments

Under the Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Order 1994, certain religious groups are exempt from the need to obtain listed building or conservation area consent for works to their historic places of worship. To qualify for the exemption, they must show that they have systems of control comparable to those of local planning authorities.

We are consulting on a new order and guidance that reflects current ecclesiastical conditions and practices in Wales. The main changes are:

• removal of the exemption for conservation area consent
• removal of the United Reformed Church from the exempt denominations
• clarification of the buildings covered by the exemption.

We are also consulting on best-practice guidance on the management of scheduled monuments in Wales.