Too many historic towns and cities are still without specialist conservation officers. Even York recently went without a conservation officer for 18 months. Each local authority should be required to have a conservation officer with specialist training in the care of historic buildings and landscapes. Equally concerning is the future of conservation area advisory panels - under threat or already abolished in Liverpool, Newcastle and Nottingham.

Up and down the country it is evident that preserved areas of historic towns attract business and trade. As property prices rise and new owners arrive more and more listed buildings applications are received, yet at the same time conservation remains a low priority for most local authorities.