Amenity society

In the United Kingdom, an amenity society is an organisation which monitors planning and development in a conservation area or other sensitive area.

National amenity societies

National amenity societies preserve historic art and architecture and operate at a national level. In England, the six principal societies are statutory consultees on alterations to listed buildings, and by law must be notified of any work to a listed building which involves any element of demolition.^[1] These societies are:

• The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
• The Ancient Monuments Society
• The Council for British Archaeology
• The Georgian Group, concerned with buildings and planned landscapes dating from between 1700 and 1840
• The Victorian Society, concerned with buildings built from 1837 to 1914 (so also covers Edwardian architecture)
• The Twentieth Century Society, concerned with buildings dating from 1914 onwards

In addition to the above societies, the Garden History Society is a statutory consultee in relation to planning proposals likely to affect registered historic parks and gardens.^[2]

Local amenity societies

City of Westminster

In the City of Westminster, amenity societies are statutory consultees on planning matters including planning and listed building applications within their area.^[3] Recognised amenity societies in Westminster include the Marylebone Association, Westminster Society, and Residents Society of Mayfair and St James’s.

References