Section Six: The built environment
Principles for the built environment
6.1 Tynedale has a rich and diverse built environment, much of it of historic, archaeological and architectural value. This is a significant asset in terms of the quality of life and the attractiveness of the area for tourism and business generally. Protecting and enhancing the built environment is therefore a key objective. It is also important to ensure the built environment is managed and developed in a sustainable way to allow for future enjoyment of the district and its resources. Policy BE1 sets out the principles to achieve this. In addition to providing the principles for development control, Policy BE1 also provides a framework for relevant Departments within the Council and other organisations to provide encouragement and advice to developers on a range of issues. The Council will also consider producing detailed design advice as a Supplementary Planning Document in due course.
Core Strategy Policy BE1
The principles for the built environment are to:
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Conserve and where appropriate enhance the quality and integrity of Tynedale’s built environment and its historic features including archaeology, giving particular protection to listed buildings, scheduled monuments and conservation areas
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Give specific protection to the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and its setting
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Ensure that development is of a high quality design that will maintain and enhance the distinctive local character of the District’s towns, villages and countryside
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Encourage sustainable construction techniques such as the use of recycled building materials, the reuse of existing buildings and materials, energy efficiency measures and the use of sustainable urban drainage systems
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Ensure that new developments are designed to provide adequate opportunities for recycling of waste and encourage those proposing major non residential developments to incorporate facilities for the reduction, re-use and recycling of waste and on site waste sorting
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Manage the location and design of development to minimise the risk of crime and maximise personal safety
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Promote the development of public art, particularly as part of significant new developments.
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Require at least BREEAM Excellent/Very Good standards, or the equivalent under the Code for Sustainable Homes, to be met for new developments.
Policy BE1 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Allocation of sites for development in the Site Allocation DPD.
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Development of detailed policies in the Development Control DPD.
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Decisions on planning applications.
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Undertaking, encouraging and supporting enhancement schemes.
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Through a phased programme of Conservation Area Character Appraisals and a possible subsequent review of Conservation Areas.
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Through the continued identification and conservation of Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments at risk.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring of development approved as a departure from this policy.
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Monitoring the number of Conservation Areas and the number with character appraisals.
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Monitoring the number of Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments at risk.
Appraising and reviewing conservation areas
6.2 Currently within Tynedale 19 towns and villages have all or part of their area covered by Conservation Area status. Development is carefully managed in Conservation Areas to protect and wherever possible enhance their character and appearance and this will continue to be the approach. The Council has a responsibility to review the need to designate additional Conservation Areas or amend boundaries of those already in existence. Undertaking character appraisals is an essential part of the process of reviewing the status and boundaries of Conservation Areas. Character appraisals also provide a sound evidence base for the effective protection and enhancement of Conservation Areas through the planning process.
6.3 Resources are therefore being committed to a phased programme of character appraisals which will lead in turn to a review of the boundaries of existing Conservation Areas and potential designation of additional areas. Following the appraisal of all the existing Conservation Areas, management plans will be prepared to assist in their conservation.
Core Strategy Policy BE2
A phased programme of Conservation Area Character Appraisals will be carried out for all existing Conservation Areas. This will include a review of their status and boundaries.
As this programme develops, consideration will also be given to the designation of additional Conservation Areas.
Policy BE2 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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As set out in Policy.
Target
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Character appraisals for all existing Conservation Areas completed by 31st March 2009.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring of the number of Conservation Areas with character appraisals in relation to the target.
Listed buildings at risk
6.4 There are over 2,400 listed buildings and scheduled monuments within Tynedale and policies will continue to give protection to these. Unfortunately some of these buildings and structures fall into serious disrepair and became ‘at risk’. An annual survey of Grade I and II* listed buildings at risk is carried out by English Heritage with the aid of local authorities. Local Authorities are being encouraged to also identify those Grade II listed buildings at risk on a local register. Whilst the Council has supported restoration works to particular buildings and structures at risk, it has not been able to commit resources to identify and proactively pursue their conservation to any great extent.
6.5 Policy BE3 sets out the Council’s commitment to pursuing a more proactive approach in partnership with other organisations. Resources are still limited however and priority will be given to Grade I and II* buildings and structures at risk.
Core Strategy Policy BE3
Assistance will be given to English Heritage in the annual survey of Grade I and II* listed buildings and scheduled monuments at risk. In addition Grade II listed buildings at risk will be identified on a local list when resources allow. The repair and conservation of listed buildings on the at risk register and the preservation of scheduled monuments at risk will be pursued in partnership with other organisations and the lists will be used as an evidence base for grant aid and for monitoring the general condition of the built environment to inform decision making.
Policy BE3 Implementation and Monitoring Framework
Implementation:
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Survey work and support for and encouragement of action in relation to listed buildings and scheduled monuments at risk.
Monitoring:
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The number of listed buildings and scheduled monuments at risk and the level of risk.