The London Assembly calls for English Heritage to honour more women with blue plaques

English Heritage is being asked to relax its “archaic rules” and commemorate more women with blue plaques.

The London Assembly has written to the charity’s chief executive Kate Mavor stating the rules are “hindering any real progress” in celebrating notable women. Under English Heritage rules the person must be dead for more than 20 years and plaques have to be placed on the actual building they inhabited — not the site.

The letter, from Assembly chairman Tony Arbour, calling for a review of the rules, said: “The fact that women still only make up 14 per cent of plaques must be addressed urgently. Placing plaques only on surviving buildings is a disservice to the ideas and achievements of Londoners.”

Jennette Arnold, deputy chair of the Assembly, said the rules were “not fit for purpose in this day and age”.

Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench recently made calls for more women to be honoured with blue plaques as part of English Heritage’s campaign to get more women nominated.

The Assembly is asking Londoners to suggest 100 women who deserve plaque recognition.

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said: “We note the request by the London Assembly to rethink this criterion; however the preservation and enjoyment of historic buildings remains an important point for us.”

For more information visit london.gov.uk