Meeting documents
Executive (I)
Tuesday, 1st October, 2013
| REPORT TO: | 10 |
| DECISION NUMBER: | PH/99/2013 |
| EARLIEST DATE FOR DECISION: | 1st October 2013 |
ADOPTION OF LIST OF BUILDINGS OF LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL AND/OR HISTORIC INTEREST | |
| Matter for Consideration: Adoption of the list of buildings of local architectural and/or historic interest attached at Appendix A approved by the Planning Committee on 11 March 2013 as the Local List of Heritage Assets. | |
| Information: On 2 November 2011 Executive approval (EX52/2011) was received to create a list of buildings of local architectural and/or historic interest. Local lists are a way of helping conserve buildings of local, rather than national, importance which make a positive contribution to the character of our streets, and the adoption of a local list will assist the Council when it has to make planning decisions. Although local listing will not confer the level of protection of statutory designation, it will be a material consideration when planning permission is sought which might harm a building’s special interest. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the historic built environment is an irreplaceable resource, and strategies should be developed through Local Plans so that heritage assets are conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance. The effect of an application on the significance of a non-designated heritage asset i.e. locally listed, and its contribution to the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring, should be taken into account. The English Heritage Good Practice Guide for Local Heritage Listing references commonly applied criteria for assessing the suitability of local heritage assets for listing. There are many historic buildings which are not considered to meet the national standard for listing but which are nevertheless important to local people for many reasons. This could be because they are attractive buildings and contribute to the character of an area, or perhaps they are a focal point for community memories such as old schools or libraries. They also link the past to the present. The historic built environment illustrates patterns of growth and change in urban development, and the proposed local list contains a mix of building types including houses, shops and public buildings such as schools, churches, public houses, banks and cinemas, which signify the town’s social, economic and cultural history. The current national ‘listing’ process is a well-established system based on a number of criteria such as age, examples of local or innovative design or materials, architectural or artistic merit, historic association with a notable historic figure etc which contribute to significance. The buildings of local architectural and/or historic interest on the proposed local list have been assessed using the same criteria aimed at ensuring the process is consistent and that each building meets minimum standards for inclusion. The process approved by Executive was for an initial assessment by an expert panel made up of a senior planner, an architect, the Council’s Built Heritage Manager and Chairman of the Blackpool Civic Trust, followed by public consultation at the relevant area forum meetings. However, due to the scale of the task, it was then decided that public consultation and adoption by the Council would take place in stages. The buildings listed in Appendix A were considered by the Planning Committee on 11 March 2013 and recommended for local listing. An objection was subsequently received in relation to the inclusion of one property. This property and the objection were re-referred to the Planning Committee on 19 August 2013 which recommended inclusion. These buildings fall within the wards of Bloomfield, Victoria and Waterloo. Further batches of buildings for proposed inclusion on the proposed List will be brought to the Planning Committee following the outcome of a consultation process . | |
| Does the information submitted include any exempt information? | NO |
| Legal Considerations: Local listing does not change any existing permitted development rights for a property but is considered as a "material planning consideration' that can be included in the decision making process of any application affecting the property. There is no statutory appeals process. Decisions are subject to general principles. | |
| Personnel Considerations: The key consideration is the impact on officer time in processing any applications and advising the Council’s Development Management Team and Planning Committee. As there could be approximately 250 buildings for potential local listing, this will mean a rise in the number of applications requiring advice from the Built Heritage team but no significant impact on the planning team. | |
| Financial Considerations: Officer time would be required, but it is not envisaged that more than six hours a week will be spent on additional consultations. This can be met within existing resources. | |
| Performance Management Considerations: None | |
| Risk Management Considerations: None | |
| Relevant Officer: Carl Carrington, Built Heritage Manager | |
| Relevant Cabinet Member: Councillor S. Blackburn | |
| Consultation Undertaken: Expert Panel Review and relevant Area Forum consultation were carried out in advance of the local list being processed through the Planning Committee. Owners have been notified of the decision to recommend the inclusion of their property on the Local List and one objection was received. | |
| Background Papers: | |
| Is this a key decision? | NO |
| Is the decision required in less than 5 days? | NO |
| Recommendations: To adopt the list of buildings of local architectural and/or historic interest attached at Appendix A as the Local List of Heritage Assets. | |
| Reasons for Recommendations: Formal adoption will complete the process of creating a list of buildings of local architectural and/or historic interest. | |
| Is the recommendation contrary to a plan or strategy adopted or approved by the Council? | NO |
| Is the recommendation in accordance with the Council’s approved Budget? | YES |
| Other alternative options to be considered: Not to adopt the proposed list. | |
| Policy, Overview, and Scrutiny Committee Chairman (where appropriate) Date Informed: N/A Date Approved: N/A | |
| DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST (if applicable) None | |
| Decision: The Leader of the Council agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely: To adopt the list of buildings of local architectural and/or historic interest attached at Appendix A as the Local List of Heritage Assets. | |
| Date: | 1st October 2013 |
| Reason for Decision: Formal adoption will complete the process of creating a list of buildings of local architectural and/or historic interest. | |
Date of Publication: | 1st October 2013 |
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