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Issue - meetings

ASHWELL CONSERVATION AREA

 

 

Meeting: 27/06/2023 - Cabinet (Item 198)

198 ASHWELL CONSERVATION AREA pdf icon PDF 370 KB

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

 

To consider the representations made in response to the consultation on the draft Ashwell Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) and the proposed boundary changes for the Ashwell Conservation Area.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

(1)   That the boundary changes to the Ashwell Conservation Area were approved and the new Ashwell conservation area was designated.

 

(2)   That the Ashwell CAAMP were approved and adopted.

 

(3)   That Officers were authorised to undertake the associated administrative tasks to finalise the designation of the Ashwell conservation area, outlined in paragraph 8.6.

 

(4)   That delegated authority was granted to the Service Director – Regulatory in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transport to make any minor non-material corrections (including but not limited to cosmetic additions or presentational alterations) to the CAAMP as considered necessary for the publication of the CAAMP.

 

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that our Conservation Areas and historic assets within North Hertfordshire are appropriately assessed and designated to inform decision making for planning applications and in the preparation of neighbourhood plans and our Local Plan.

 

Minutes:

Audio recording – 6:20

 

N.B. This item was considered ahead of Agenda Item 9.

 

Mr David Cook gave a verbal presentation and advised:

 

·         The Parish Council had planted trees to strengthen the case for a Conservation Area.

·         No residents who would be impacted by the proposed Conservation Area received a letter and had not been invited to comment.

·         Future consultations should include individual letters to households affected by the proposals.

·         Three properties included within the proposed Conservation Area did not add value to the proposed conservation area.

 

N.B. Councillor Amy Allen entered the Chamber at 19:41.

 

Councillor Dave Winstanley left the Chamber at 19:40 and re-entered at 19:41.

 

In response to the question from Councillor Ian Albert, Mr. Cook advised that he believed impacted households should receive letters on proposals such as these.

 

Councillor Ruth Brown presented the report entitled ‘Ashwell Conservation Area’ and advised:

 

·         The proposed Conservation Area went out to consultation, and Cabinet was asked to approve and adopt.

·         Paragraph 8.2 detailed that interested parties were contacted and Ashwell Parish Council advertised the consultation period to residents.

·         All comments were duly considered and revisions were made.

·         The Conservation Area boundaries surrounding properties had to be amended to follow property boundaries.

·         The properties mentioned by Mr. Cook made a neutral contribution to the Conservation Area and framed the entrance to the village. By including them in the proposed Conservation Area, there was potential to enhance them.

 

Councillor Steve Jarvis commented that Mr. Cook made a good point and that it was important that the consultation reached impacted people.

 

In response to the questions from Councillor Jarvis, the Senior Planning Officer advised that Townsend Meadow did not make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area, so was excluded. There were four character areas in Ashwell, with area four including post-War properties.

 

Councillor Ian Albert commented that it was important to pick up points from the consultation and the points that Mr Cook made.

 

Councillor Ruth Brown proposed and Councillor Steve Jarvis seconded and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)  That the boundary changes to the Ashwell Conservation Area were approved and the new Ashwell conservation area was designated.

 

(2)  That the Ashwell CAAMP were approved and adopted.

 

(3)  That Officers were authorised to undertake the associated administrative tasks to finalise the designation of the Ashwell conservation area, outlined in paragraph 8.6.

 

(4)  That delegated authority was granted to the Service Director – Regulatory in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transport to make any minor non-material corrections (including but not limited to cosmetic additions or presentational alterations) to the CAAMP as considered necessary for the publication of the CAAMP.

 

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that our Conservation Areas and historic assets within North Hertfordshire are appropriately assessed and designated to inform decision making for planning applications and in the preparation of neighbourhood plans and our Local Plan.