The government's overhaul of listing buildings should aim to kick-start regeneration, architectural watchdog CABE said last week.
Speaking at the launch of a review into listing, CABE chairman Sir Stuart Lipton said the review needed to focus on integrating historic buildings into new developments.

Lipton said: "The purpose of the review should be to create a dynamic and flexible system to avoid unnecessary barriers to the process of social, economic and environmental regeneration."

Last month, Building revealed speculation that the review would suggest an end to "spot" listing. This tactic is used by conservation bodies to prevent a building being demolished.

The review is also expected to propose transferring responsibility for grade II-listed buildings from English Heritage to local authorities, as well as streamlining means of protecting the historic environment such as conservation areas and world heritage sites.

The government-led review of the 50-year-old heritage legislation is being overseen by a steering committee chaired by Geoffrey Wilson, the former head of developer Greycoat.

Arts minister Baroness Blackstone said: "Our goal is a legislative framework that provides for the management and enabling of change, rather than its prevention."