The CLA has called on Historic England to be a more effective champion of heritage protection than previous Government heritage organisations.
The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, has made the call as English Heritage restructures into two separate bodies, English Heritage and Historic England, from 1 April.
Most heritage is owned privately, and makes an important contribution to the rural economy as well as housing in the countryside. However they are often costly to maintain and have to be carefully managed to ensure owners can find good ways, within strict rules, for the structure or site to remain relevant and used by people today.
CLA President Henry Robinson said: “The formation of Historic England is an opportunity to push forward reform, and to promote a constructive conservation approach in order to enable sympathetic change.
“The challenge facing our treasured heritage properties and sites should not be underestimated. Heritage can only survive if it remains relevant and useful, which often requires sympathetic and intelligently managed change.
"Historic England must champion new ways for local authorities to provide constructive support and greater flexibility from the planning system.”
Collectively, CLA Members manage at least a quarter of all listed buildings, more than half of all monuments and many other designated and undesignated heritage sites. CLA continues to provide advice to members and champion policy reform.
