A Heritage Protection bill introducing a new system for designating and managing historic sites in England and Wales has been dropped by the government for a second time.
The bill aimed to simplify and strengthen existing legislation and introduce new opportunities for local people help protect and enhance their local heritage.
In a statement on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's website, the government said it "remains committed" to the legislation and will bring it forward "as soon as Parliamentary time allows."
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) have voiced their disappointment at the delay, claiming it excludes important areas from the heart of the planning process.
"The lack of Government commitment to these uncontroversial and widely supported reforms is deplorable," said CBA Director Mike Heyworth, who promised to respond to the Draft Legislative Programme "in the strongest terms".
"We will be working with the All Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group to progress the most badly-needed reforms, some of which are possible through secondary legislation, and to press the government to deliver on other objectives for the heritage."
"Our historic environment fundamentally shapes the quality of our surroundings and is integral to policies for sustainability," he added. "It must be at the heart of new policies for the way places are designed and planned, not sidelined as a low priority."
A new draft Planning Policy Statement for the historic environment in England is expected to be available for consultation early in 2009, with work starting in Wales later in the year.
For more information visit the DCMS website.
For more about the CBA visit www.britarch.ac.uk.
