Conservation Areas
Conservation, together with the designation
and protection of Conservation Areas, are the
responsibility of the Development Management Team.
Conservation Areas are defined as "areas of special
architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of
which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".
Summary
Richmondshire is
fortunate in having many fine buildings and attractive towns and
villages which are distinguished by their architecture, landscape
and history, creating an attractive district environment which is
the product of several different eras. These "Conservation
Areas" are important examples of our social, cultural and economic
history and must be safeguarded from indiscriminate or
ill-considered change. These Areas often contain "
Listed
Buildings" which have individual statutory protection.
However, it is not always enough to protect these buildings in
isolation. Their surroundings and general environment are
often of equal importance and Conservation Areas are intended to
protect that environment. We have a responsibility to ensure that
the character of these areas is not diminished in our
lifetime.
How are Conservation Areas chosen for
designation?
Conservation Areas vary, ranging from historic town centres to
rural villages. Attractive and important buildings are
usually the starting point for designation, but distinctive
elements of history, architecture, layout or private spaces, such
as gardens, parks and greens; trees or street furniture will lead
to designation. Conservation Areas give broader protection
than listing individual buildings and all features within the area,
listed or otherwise, are recognised as part of its character.
Who designates Conservation Areas?
Richmondshire District Council as the Local Planning Authority
outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park has undertaken the
designation of 41 Conservation Areas since 1974, and has also
extended some previously designated Conservation Areas
including Richmond and Middleham.
What does designation mean?
Within a Conservation Area the Council has extra controls over
the following:
Demolition
Conservation Area Consent is required for the full demolition
of any building. Generally we view an application from the
standpoint of trying to retain the building unless a good case is
made for its demolition in terms of the net improvement to the
Conservation Area that will arise from the new use of the
site. There are no fees for this application and there is a
right of appeal against refusal.
Domestic/Householder development
The rights to alter and extend private houses without planning
permission are constrained in Conservation Areas. Some
Conservation Areas have additional controls to the ones described
here and information on this can be gained from the contact details
above. It is best to ask before committing yourself.
Trees
Anyone proposing to cut down, top or lop a tree in a
Conservation Area, whether or not it is covered by a tree
preservation order, has to give 6 weeks notice to the
Council. The Council considers the contribution the tree
makes to the character of the Conservation Area and if necessary it
will make a Tree Preservation Order to protect it.
What does the Council normally do in Conservation
Areas?
The Council consults widely on planning applications affecting
a Conservation Area. The Council will bring forward periodic
enhancement schemes including proposals to:
- Prepare development briefs for sites in conservation
areas;
- Ensure that new buildings harmonise with their neighbours;
- Make environmental improvements.
What policies are used to control
development?
Our main body of conservation policy is in the
Richmondshire Local Plan which includes
conservation policy within wider planning policies for the
area. Policies generally seek to encourage new development
that will have the effect of preserving and/or enhancing the
character of Conservation Areas.
Living in a Conservation Area
The designation of a Conservation Area indicates the Council's
positive commitment to that area and its intention to preserve and
enhance the quality of the environment. However, Conservation
Areas are living communities which must be allowed to change over
time in order to remain vital and prosperous. Consequently
the emphasis is to guide and control development rather than to
prevent it. It is important that all new development should
be sympathetic to the special architectural and aesthetic qualities
of tits area, particularly in terms of scale, design, materials and
space between buildings. The Council advertises all planning
applications affecting the character of Conservation Areas both on
site and in the Darlington and Stockton Times.
Design of new development
The Council will require very high standards of design
responding to the essential qualities of the particular
Conservation Area. New development must make a positive
contribution to the character of the area. In view of this
the Council can require additional information in support of any
planning application showing how the proposal will relate to its
context. This can mean the submission of elevations of
adjacent buildings, full details of the proposal and examples of
materials and colours. Usually only a fully detailed planning
application will be considered, which should be accompanied by a
heritage statement.
The success of a Conservation Area
The ultimate success of a Conservation Area will depend very
much upon the care which individual owners take with the
maintenance and repair of their properties and in any alterations
or extensions they make – especially those which do not need
planning permission. For example original windows and doors
should be repaired where possible, or replaced with new ones to
match the originals in terms of materials used and details of their
design. Cumulatively, even small changes can detract from the
special character of an area.
The North Yorkshire Building
Control Partnership is very careful to balance the national
requirements of safety, public health and energy conservation with
the more local desirability of looking after the special character
of Conservation Areas. So, for example, requirements for
double glazing can be modified when applied to historic
buildings.
If you would like to make any changes to your property or
require further information please contact us.
Conservation Area Statements
Within the current Local Plan there is a brief profile of each
Conservation Area – outlining its main characteristics. The Council
is also required to prepare a study/statement on each Conservation
Area. So far, they have been provided for
- Whashton
- Brompton on Swale
- Aldbrough St John
- East Hauxwell
- Redmire
- Richmond Racecourse
- Croft
- Hornby
The Council will be seeking to increase the output of the
study/statements in partnership with local communities. We
will post new proposals on the Website as they become available for
consultation.
Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans
In line with the above, the Council have now
adopted the following as supplementary planning guidance. Maps
relating to all other Conservation Areas within the District can be
found in the adopted
Proposals Map,
however the ones listed below supersede those in the Proposals
Map.
Easby
Middleham
Middleton Tyas
Richmond Racecourse
Thornton Steward
We have recently consulted on
a draft Conservation Area Appraisal for Melsonby. A
consultation event was held in the Methodist Primary School Hall,
Melsonby on Wednesday 16th March 2011. Members of the public
were invited to come along to meet with Planners and learn more
about the Conservation Area and to comment on the Draft Appraisal
and Management Plan. Comments will be considered and the
final document is due to be published later in the summer following
Council approval.
If you have any queries
please write to Planning Policy, Swale house, Frenchgate, Richmond,
DL10 4JE or email planning.policy@richmondshire.gov.uk.
Article 4 Directions
An Article 4 Direction when introducted removes some of the
normal permitted development rights that residential properties
enjoy. These are usually introduced in a Conservation Area to
ensure that minor developments such as the replacement of a roof or
the replacement of windows do not detrimentally effect the
character of the conservation area. Middleham and Leyburn
both have Article 4 Directions. A design guide has also been
produced to help owners.
Middleham Article 4
Direction
Middleham
Conservation Area Design Guide
Leyburn Article 4
Direction
Leyburn
Conservation Area Design Guide
Tel: 01748 829100
Please note – The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is
responsible for Conservation Areas in the Yorkshire Dales National
Park. They can be contacted at:
|
Yorkshire Dales National Parks Authority
Yoredale
Bainbridge
Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 3EL
|
Tel: 0300 456 0030
Fax: 01969 652399
|
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