DfC issues new framework for NI’s historic environment

The Department for Communities (DfC) last month (21 July 2025) published a new Heritage, Culture and Creativity (HCC) Programme Framework, setting the direction for future policy development for the historic environment in Northern Ireland, as well as for the arts, museums and public libraries.

Background

Launched by DfC in July 2024, the Framework outlines the purpose and structure of the Programme, summarises progress to date and sets out high-level draft policy aims developed through stakeholder engagement.

The following aims are likely to be of interest to architects:

• Using historic assets as a valuable resource to support government outcomes
• Investing in the care and adaptive re-use of the historic environment to drive regeneration
• Adopting best practice in identifying and safeguarding the historic environment in line with legislation and charters
• Ensuring well-managed heritage assets contribute to high-quality rural and urban places, landscapes and biodiversity
• Empowering communities to use their historic environment as a resource to meet local needs

Next steps

The Framework is intended as a precursor to full public consultations on each of the four policy areas, expected to begin in Autumn 2025, with the final policies scheduled for publication in Spring 2026.

The full HCC Programme Framework can be accessed here.

If you have any questions or comments about the Framework, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk