Issue - meetings

A presentation to provide information and clarity over the purpose of conservation areas, the Borough Council’s responsibility and duties in relation to these areas, the application and policy when considering planning applications and the impact on other planning functions was delivered to the Group.

The Conservation Officer explained the Council’s Conservation Areas are areas which have been designated because of their special architectural or historic interest, their character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The purpose of a conservation area is not to prevent development, but is a requirement that any development should preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the area, highlighting the Council’s Statutory Duty to protect such areas as defined in Section 72 – Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

The Conservation Officer informed the Group that when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. This is irrespective of whether any potential harm amounts to substantial harm, total loss or less substantial harm to its significance as outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

In addition, the Conservation Officer drew the Groups attention to the Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 1 Core Strategy - Policy 11: Historic Environment and the Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policies – Policy 28: Conserving and Enhancing Heritage Assets.

The Conservation Officer advised that Rushcliffe currently has 30 conservation areas each having an Appraisal and Management Plan document available to view on the website. The appraisals provide information on a settlements history, archaeology, industrial and building history. These Appraisals date from January 2009 and are being considered for review.

The Service Manager – Communities presented the Group with information in respect of the implications of Conservation Area designations on aspects of planning, referred to as Permitted Development.

The Service Manager – Communities explained that Permitted Development is defined by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended) GPDO), which grants planning permission for a range of different types of development, both residential and commercial. Permitted Development imposes certain limitations, the Service Manager – Communities provided the Group with an extensive list of permitted development rights that do not apply or may be subject to restrictions within a Conservation Area.

The Service Manager – Communities explained how the Council as a Planning Authority assess harm when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation (and the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be).

The Service Manager – Communities informed the group of the three levels of harm:

·       No Harm – would preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area

·       Substantial Harm – should refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or total loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm.

·       Less than Substantial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35