National Assembly committee calls for greater protection for Welsh historic place names

The Welsh Government's proposed law to protect historic buildings and monuments should proceed to the next step in the legislative process, says the National Assembly's Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee. But, the Committee has called for the Government to amend the Bill to give greater protection for historic place names.

The Committee supported the Bill, which largely makes changes to the existing laws aimed at protecting and preserving Wales' monuments and historic buildings. In particular, it suggested that new enforcement measures, such as enforcement and temporary stop notices, would better equip authorities in the fight to preserve Wales' heritage.

Despite its support for the Bill, the Committee highlighted the fact that historic Welsh place names currently have no legal protection and could be changed with little or no challenge. According to the Committee, this was a gap within the law that needs to be addressed.

SOURCE: assembly.wales