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Call for developers to invest in history
Historic ships facing ruin could be saved for the future with cash from developers.
That is one call from Martyn Heighton, who is leading the charge for historic vessels to be included in a new heritage bill.
The head of National Historic Ships has backed The News Save our Ships campaign, saying it will help persuade the government to take notice.
He said: 'We work with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to lobby for the future of historic ships, which is being overshadowed by protection for buildings.
'I have written to the minister, Margaret Hodge, saying they should include vessels, because at the moment we can only appeal to environmental laws to stop harmful developments.
'It would be so much better if vessels were in the heritage bill because there would be a formal status for them.
'We could then ask that if they were altered or removed, developers or owners be paid to do it or make some kind of contribution.
'With buildings there are Section 106 agreements which bring a planning gain, and it would be great if we could have the same situation.'
Mr Heighton is aware of the plight of HMS Stalker, which is among the 300-ship-strong national historic fleet.
This is a list of vessels that National Historic Ships believes have significant historical value and currently sit in Pounds Marine Shipping, at Tipner, Portsmouth.
Mr Heighton said: 'Stalker is a useful example of a ship that can only be protected by Environment Agency laws, and if they are satisfied no wrongdoing has taken place then she can legitimately be dismantled.
'I hope that long-term position will change, so we can have some confidence in guaranteeing the future of our naval heritage.
'If groups had a law saying, for argument's sake, that nothing could be done to the vessels they were trying to save for a year, it would give them more space to manoeuvre.
'When it came to bidding for lottery funding or other grants they would be able to say, 'you're money isn't being risked on a ship that could be scrap in a few months.'
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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