English Heritage is to be split into two separate organisations in a total restructuring of the heritage body, with the government confirming plans to invest nearly £90m over the next few years to make the body self-sufficient.

A new body – to retain the name English Heritage – will manage and promote the properties and sites in the National Heritage Collection, numbering more than 400, and will be set up alongside a separate entity known as Historic England, which will be dedicated to providing expert and impartial advice and championing the wider historic environment.

The plan is to make the body completely self-financing – no longer reliant on taxpayer support – with English Heritage becoming an independent charity responsible solely for the management of 440 historical sites including Stonehenge, Dover Castle and Hadrian’s Wall. The new charity will have more freedom to generate greater commercial and charitable income to safeguard collections.

English Heritage will receive a one-off lump sum of £80m to support its plan to transfer management of the collection to a charity, licensed by English Heritage's governing body, with the remaining £10m to come over the course of several years to fund implementation of the new structure.