Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

The purpose of this report is to consider whether further public consultation should be undertaken on revised proposals for the designation of a Conservation Area at Chesfield.

RESOLVED: Not to undertake further consultation and that no further work was undertaken on the proposed designation of a Conservation Area at Chesfield.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the 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.

Audio recording 20 minutes 20 seconds

Councillor Daniel Allen, as Interim Executive Member for Planning and Transport, presented the report entitled ‘Chesfield Conservation Area’ and advised that:

·       The 2016 heritage assessment for North Stevenage 1 (NS1) recommended there should investigation of a conservation area in Chesfield, as an extension to the existing conservation area in Stevenage.

·       Consultation on a draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan took place between December 2022 and February 2023 and the results were reported to Cabinet in September 2023.

·       Cabinet resolved to defer the decision to undertake further consultation based on representations received.

·       After reassessment, the professional judgement of consultants advising the Council was that the area was still of sufficient interest to merit the designation of a Conservation Area.

The following Member asked questions:

·       Councillor Tamsin Thomas

·       Councillor Mick Debenham

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Ian Albert

In response to questions, the Principal Strategic Planning Officer advised that:

·       Consultation had taken place with members of the public and heritage consultants.

·       The Council was obliged to review heritage aspects within the district and to protect heritage assets.

·       The benefits of the Chesfield Conservation Area to the Council would be reputational, not financial.

·       There was already an element of individual buildings on site protected by historic grading.

·       Permitted development rights were removed in a conservation area and any works carried out on a property would incur costs for the homeowners.

·       Fencing works could be carried out in an emergency, but retrospective planning approval would then need to be obtained.

·       The museum services team had not expressed any view on this proposal.

The following Members took part in a debate:

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Amy Allen

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Tamsin Thomas

Points in a debate included:

·       The designation of a Conservation Area at Chesfield would not provide any further protection for the heritage assets in the area which were already protected.

·       There would be no benefit from imposing this and it would only cause issues for the local residents.

·       The Members wished to acknowledge the stress that the residents have suffered whilst this proposal has been considered, but also the importance of having followed due process.

Councillor Mick Debenham proposed and Councillor Amy Allen seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: Not to undertake further consultation and that no further work was undertaken on the proposed designation of a Conservation Area at Chesfield.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the 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.