The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 (“the 2023 Act”) consolidates the principal legislation for the conservation of the historic environment in Wales. The 2023 Act forms part of a code of law relating to the historic environment of Wales.

The main Acts brought together in that consolidation are the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 (c. 49), the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (c. 46), the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (c. 9) and the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 4). The 2023 Act made some changes to the terminology used in those Acts.

The 2023 Act also restates provisions currently found in other Acts relevant to the historic environment. These include the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8) and the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5). The 2023 Act also incorporates some provisions from secondary legislation.

These Regulations make amendments to secondary legislation which are consequential on the 2023 Act.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result it was not considered necessary to carry out a regulatory impact assessment as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations.