More than twenty members of the public attended the consultation meeting held at Randwick Village Hall on Thursday January 18th.
The chairman briefly explained the purpose of the appraisal. The parish council had asked consultants to review the Conservation Area designated in 1990. He introduced Natalie Whalley, Stroud District Council’s Senior Planning Strategy Officer and Kate Russell, SDC’s Specialist Conservation Officer. Natalie Whalley spoke about the public consultation procedure that was being carried out prior to producing a final draft of the review which would be sent to the SDC Development Committee to consider adopting it as Supplementary Planning Advice.
Members of the public were invited to ask questions. Matters raised included questions about the boundaries of the Conservation Area, ‘local listing’ and Article 4 Directions.
During the discussions and in response to questions, the SDC officers explained that the 1990 designation had had a bearing on development in the conservation area since 1990 and that the recent appraisal identified what was valued and would provide a sound reference for the planning authority (SDC) in applying its planning policies to development in the area. The appraisal identified what was valued but was not about ‘preserving the area in aspic’. The aim of the conservation area was to maintain the character of the village.
The officers explained that ‘local listing’ was different to listing buildings of special architectural or historic interest, considered to be of national importance and therefore worth protecting and added to the National Heritage List for England. ‘Local listing ‘ was described as a statement of significance: the planning authority could identify non-designated heritage assets which merited consideration in planning decisions. No extra planning constraints were applied to locally listed assets. Any proposed development to the building or nearby would be considered in the light of its impact on the building: no extra planning controls would be imposed.
‘Article 4 Directions’ could only apply to proposed works on elevations of a property that fronted a highway or public open space. SDC would review the buildings which the appraisal had proposed for Article 4 designation. Article 4 designation would affect development by removing permitted development rights and require an application for planning permission for work to a Designated building. SDC would review the properties proposed for Article 4 designation.
Some parishioners raised questions about the proposed changes to the boundaries of the conservation area. Some houses had been included in the area but not the properties’ gardens. A map did not show a building within the boundary and a parishioner questioned the inclusion of his property in the area.
SDC would consider the boundary.
The planning authority would produce a report after the consultation finished in February which would go to the parish council and the final draft would go to SDC’s Development Committee in the summer for it to consider adopting the Conservation Area Statement as Supplementary Planning Advice to help inform planning decisions and steer the application of Local Plan Policies within the conservation area.
The chairman urged parishioners to respond to the consultation by contacting SDC. The documents can be seen at https://www.stroud.gov.uk/randwickca
The consultation runs until Wednesday February 21st. The online survey can be found at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/I08BQS
The planning officers were thanked and the council also thanked all the members of the public who had attended the meeting.
The draft review is available here Randwick Conservation Area Appraisal
