New hope of tax relief could stem drain of art from historic properties

The issue is one of the key points raised in The State of the Historic Environment Report 2002 (SHER), published by English Heritage last week. The report is an audit of all aspects of the historic environment, documenting the quantity and condition and setting out the economic and social potential of all the country’s historic buildings, rural sites and landscape, archaeology, heritage tourism and education. It is the first report of its kind in Europe.

What the report deems “inappropriate tax regimes” are identified as one of the main areas for concern, with Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of the Historic Environment Steering Group, saying: “The State of the Historic Environment Report gives us the evidence on which to base policy and take action. It demonstrates why the historic environment matters and forms a benchmark against which future success or failure can be measured.”

Importantly, culture secretary Tessa Jowell backed Sir Neil’s sentiments, saying: “The Government will do whatever is necessary to protect, preserve and promote it, but not as a backward-looking memorial to bygone times, rather as a productive and stimulating part of the way we live today.”

The report highlights the fact that Britain is the only major European country that does not allow some form of tax relief for maintenance of historic properties open to the public. And it also reveals that 98 per cent of the population want all school children to be taught about the historic environment, yet it is still not an essential part of the official
curriculum.

The public is invited to submit its views on SHER and to make suggestions on what should be included in future reports. Responses can be made via the website www.historicenvironment.org.uk or in writing to State of the Historic Environment Report, English Heritage, 23 Savile Row, London W1S 2ET by February 28 2003.