Agenda item

The report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the Conservation Area Character Appraisal in Appendix 1 be adopted as the document, which outlines and describes the special architectural and historic character of the Conservation Area, which it will be desirable to preserve or enhance.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Upton presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth outlining the proposed adoption of the Cropwell Bishop Conservation Area.

Councillor Upton summarised the legal duty imposed on local planning authorities to designate as Conservation Areas any areas of special or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it was desirable to preserve or enhance.  Councillor Upton advised that following request from residents and the Ward Councillor, Cropwell Bishop was considered for designation, and had been found to meet the requirements of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.  Cabinet noted that an extensive public consultation had taken place in August and September this year and this report recommended the adoption of the proposed Conservation Area, attached as Appendix 1 to the report.  Councillor Upton confirmed that a Conservation Area was not formally adopted in law until a notification of an adoption by the Council was posted in the London Gazette. 

Reference was made to Recommendation b) in the report, which asked that consideration be given to the objections from 8 Nottingham Road and Stackyard Close to being included in the proposed Conservation Area.  Councillor Upton confirmed that Cabinet was being asked to choose a Conservation Area boundary, which would include or exclude those properties, with the details of those options outlined in Appendices 3 to 6 to the report.  However, Councillor Upton advised that paragraph 4.1 of the report stated that the amended Conservation Area Character Appraisal, which was attached as Appendix 1 to the report was the document proposed for adoption.

Councillor Upton referred to Section 5 of the report, which summarised the comments received, the various boundary options considered and reasons for their rejection and stated that paragraph 5.3 outlined the four boundary options offered for consideration.  Section 6 of the report outlined the risks and uncertainties associated with the four options, and Councillor Upton concluded by stating that unless Cabinet was minded to change the proposed Conservation Area boundaries, it should support Recommendation a) as detailed in the report.  Councillor Upton reiterated that having considered the risks and uncertainties, and that if the objectors’ properties were removed from the Conservation Area boundary, that could set a precedent and asked that Recommendation a) and Appendix 1, which excluded the request for the properties at 8 Nottingham Road and Stackyard Close to be taken out of the proposed boundary be supported.         

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Moore confirmed that as the Ward Councillor he had been involved with this for a number of years and advised that the process had originally been started by a group of enthusiastic villages, who had worked with the Council’s Conservation Officer.  Cabinet noted that the process had briefly been put on hold; however, it had been re-energised, and Councillor Moore thanked local residents for their hard work and dedication.

Councillor Moore confirmed that at the last meeting of Cropwell Bishop Parish Council, the local residents involved where invited to attend, and he confirmed that those residents and Parish Council members had unanimously agreed that 8 Nottingham Road and Stackyard Close should be included in the Conservation Area, and they had asked for that recommendation to be noted tonight.  Councillor Moore concluded by stating that it was important to protect this attractive central part of the village, although it was acknowledged that not everyone would be in favour of its establishment.

Councillor Robinson referred to the uniqueness of Rushcliffe in respect of its Conservation Areas and stated that it was importance to consider and debate such issues and have public involvement.  Cabinet was reminded that Conservation Areas protected and retained the character and history of an area, whilst it was acknowledged that it was a complicated process, with many issues to consider and that some people not in favour of them.  Councillor Robinson advised that he was fully supportive of Conservation Areas, whilst ensuring that appropriate consultation had taken place, and thanked officers for their hard work, which he was sure local residents appreciated.

In answer to a question regarding timescales, the Monitoring officer confirmed that once a decision had been taken to formally adopt the Conservation Area, and that notice was published in the London Gazette, then the process would be completed.  

It was RESOLVED that the Conservation Area Character Appraisal in Appendix 1 be adopted as the document, which outlines and describes the special architectural and historic character of the Conservation Area, which it will be desirable to preserve or enhance.