Looks at some of the implications of the Planning and Compensation Act 2004 and its related secondary legislation for conservation of the historic environment. The Act contains virtually no provisions expressly relating to the built heritage but introduces an innovative set-up of regional spatial strategies, local development documents (local development plans in Wales) and supplementary planning documents (supplementary planning guidance in Wales). The arrangements do not apply to Scotland or Northern Ireland. Examines the principal aspects of the new approach in England including regional planning, local development frameworks and supplementary planning documents and discusses the transitional arrangements before the new system starts in September 2007. Details the somewhat different arrangements for Wales. Concludes that the historic environment is no longer being accorded the privileged place it once held in the planning system but historic buildings conservation might now be considered to be a natural part of that system.