Amenity society

In the United Kingdom, an amenity society is an organisation which monitors planning and development in a conservation area or other sensitive area.

National Amenity Societies

National Amenity Societies preserve historic art and architecture and operate at a national level. In England, the six principal societies are statutory consultees on alterations to listed buildings, and by law must be notified of any work to a listed building which involves any element of demolition. These societies are:

• The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
• The Ancient Monuments Society
• The Council for British Archaeology
• The Georgian Group, concerned with buildings and planned landscapes dating from between 1700 and 1840
• The Victorian Society, concerned with buildings built from 1837 to 1914 (so also covers Edwardian architecture)
• The Twentieth Century Society, concerned with buildings dating from 1914 onwards

In addition to the above societies, the Garden History Society is a statutory consultee in relation to planning proposals likely to affect registered historic parks and gardens.

Local amenity societies

City of Westminster

In the City of Westminster, amenity societies are statutory consultees on planning matters including planning and listed building applications within their area. Recognised amenity societies in Westminster include the Marylebone Association, Westminster Society, and Residents Society of Mayfair and St James’s.