Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of advice issued by Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society relating to the listing of (1) the principal surviving buildings of the former Holborn Union Infirmary and Whittington Hospital at Archway, (2) Medlock Mill in Manchester, and (3) other buildings they have received advice on in the last year, and why they decided to go against this advice.

The Secretary of State is required to consult Historic England before deciding whether to designate a listed building. Decisions are informed by advice from Historic England and relevant representations from other interested parties, including the Twentieth Century Society, then made in accordance with the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Secretary of State’s Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings (2018). The Department takes decisions on whether or not to list based on the criteria of special architectural or historic interest.

The reasoning behind the decisions in cases where there is a departure from Historic England's recommendation is detailed in decision letters to Historic England. That reasoning is then shared by Historic England alongside their notifications to interested parties of the decisions made.