Agenda Item 9
8 OCTOBER 2012
Minutes of a meeting of the PLANNING POLICY & BUILT HERITAGE WORKING PARTY
held in the Committee Room, Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 10.00 am when there
were present:
Councillors
K E Johnson (Chairman)
B Cabbell Manners
Mrs A R Green
P W High
Mr P Williams
D Young
Mrs P Grove-Jones – observer
R Oliver – observer
Officers
Mr P Godwin – Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager
Mr P Rhymes – Conservation and Design Officer
(20)
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs S A Arnold, M J M Baker
and N D Dixon.
(21)
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 2012 were approved as a correct
record and signed by the Chairman.
(22)
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
The Chairman stated that there were no items of urgent business which he wished to
bring before the Working Party.
(23)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors B Cabbell Manners and K E Johnson declared that they were local
Members for Cromer Town Ward.
(24)
CROMER CONSERVATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Prior to consideration of the Conservation Area proposals, the Conservation, Design
and Landscape Manager explained the role of the Working Party in considering
Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans and heritage issues, and the
importance of ensuring that the integrity of Conservation Areas and important
buildings and spaces was maintained and enhanced.
In response to a question by Councillor P Williams as to whether this Authority had
jurisdiction over Conservation Areas in the Broads Authority area, the Conservation,
Design and Landscape Manager explained that the Broads Authority was responsible
for Conservation Areas within its area.
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8 October 2012
Agenda Item 9
The Working Party considered item 1 of the Officers’ reports in respect of a
recommendation to Cabinet that the Cromer Conservation Area Management Plan
be adopted for statutory planning purposes and become a material consideration in
the planning process.
Public Speaker
Mr A Boyce (Cromer Preservation Society – supporting)
Councillor B Cabbell Manners stated that the area of Morrison’s car park was the
former railhead and had originally been included in the Conservation Area to
preserve the openness of the site. He was concerned that if the area were removed
from the Conservation Area it could be vulnerable to future development which could
destroy the open nature of the site. He referred to an appeal which had resulted in
the retention of the open space.
The Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager explained that there were other
planning controls which could protect the open space. It was important to ensure
that the designated Conservation Area was of the highest quality.
In answer to concerns raised by Members, the Conservation, Design and Landscape
Manager explained that when considering planning applications adjacent to
Conservation Areas, account was taken of the impact of the proposed development
on the setting and character of the Conservation Area itself.
Councillor P Williams asked how many of the buildings recommended for local listing
were in need of repair and whether lottery funding could be available to train people
to maintain such buildings.
With the consent of the Chairman, Mr Boyce stated that he had toured the area with
English Heritage’s Historic Buildings Advisor for Conservation Areas, who had given
advice regarding preservation issues which the Cromer Preservation Society would
be considering next year. He was most concerned with regard to the area between
Prince of Wales Road and Alfred Road in Cromer which had suffered from some
neglect. He considered that the area would benefit from regeneration funding and
further controls.
The Chairman requested that Officers give consideration to Mr Boyce’s concerns.
It was proposed by Councillor B Cabbell Manners, seconded by Councillor P W High
and
RESOLVED unanimously
That Cabinet be recommended:
1.
To adopt the Cromer Conservation Area Management Plan for
statutory planning purposes and for it to be a ‘material
consideration’ in the planning process.
2.
To adopt the proposed boundary changes as recommended
in the draft Appraisal document, with the exception of the
former railhead (Morrison’s car park) and area around the
Old Chapel, which should be retained within the
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8 October 2012
Agenda Item 9
Conservation Area, and that the resultant changes be
publicised in accordance with the Planning (Listed
Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
(25)
3.
To endorse the preparation of a further report relating to the
introduction of Article 4 Directions as and where necessary.
4.
That the buildings identified for Local Listing be formally
recognised and recorded.
5.
That a further report on potential buildings to be added to the
Local List for Cromer be prepared.
WALSINGHAM
PROPOSALS
CONSERVATION
AREA
APPRAISAL
&
MANAGEMENT
The Working Party considered item 2 of the Officers’ reports in respect of the Draft
Walsingham Conservation Area Appraisal (incorporating Management Proposals)
with a recommendation that it forms the basis for public consultation.
Councillor Mrs A R Green referred to the condition of some of the barns owned by
the Walsingham Estate and asked if anything could be done to prevent their further
decline. Councillor B Cabbell Manners suggested that the Officers write to the
Walsingham Estate Office regarding this matter.
Councillor P W High supported the removal of areas 1 and 3 from the Conservation
Area. However, he considered that area 2 should remain in the Conservation Area
as it was an important part of the village.
In response to a question by Councillor P Williams, the Chairman stated that a
change in the Council’s policy on barn conversions would make it easier to bring
barns back into use in the future.
It was proposed by Councillor B Cabbell Manners, seconded by Councillor P
Williams and
RESOLVED
1.
That Cabinet be recommended to approve the Draft Walsingham
Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Proposals for
public consultation purposes.
2.
That following consultation, the amended Walsingham Conservation
Area Character Appraisal and Management Proposals be brought back
to the Working Party for consideration and subsequent adoption by
Cabinet.
The meeting closed at 11.40 pm.
Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party
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8 October 2012