An Introduction to Heritage Presented by Jack Haw & Claire Easton RTPI North West Young Planners Conference November 2017
Contents Introduction Founding of Building Conservation Definition of a Heritage Asset Local Examples of Heritage Assets and their Legislation / Planning Policy Context What is Significance? What is the Setting of a Heritage Asset? Definition of Conservation Identifying Harm Substantial Harm Less than Substantial Case Studies
Founding of Building Conservation The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) founded in 1877 (due to the restoration of medieval churches in the Victorian period) The Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882 (introduced by John Lubbock MP and involved a government appointed inspector) The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty founded in 1895 (initially focussed on smaller houses and spaces and then on large country houses)
Founding of Building Conservation The Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1900 (this was introduced to offer protection to more sites) Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act 1913 (introduced by Lord Curzon and involved the creation of an Ancient Monuments Board who could serve preservation orders on buildings or sites) Town and Country Planning Act 1944 / 1990 Amenity Societies Victorian Society, the Georgian Group, the Twentieth Century Society Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
What is a Heritage Asset? Annex 2 (Glossary) of the NPPF defines a heritage asset as:. A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest.
Types of Heritage Assets These can include: Listed Buildings Conservation Areas Scheduled Monuments World Heritage Sites Registered Parks & Gardens Historic Battlefields Locally Listed Buildings Non-Designated Heritage Assets
Listed Buildings Legislation The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990:..In considering whether to grant planning permission for development which affects a listed building or its setting, the local planning authority or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. (Section 66)
Conservation Areas Legislation The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990:..In the exercise of planning functions with respect to any buildings or land in a conservation area that special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area. (Section 72)
Scheduled Monuments Legislation Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979:.. A Scheduled Ancient Monument is defined by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as any structure, or site of a structure, above or below ground, which is considered by the Secretary of State to be of public interest by reason of its historic, architectural, traditional, artistic or archaeological importance.
National Planning Policy In relation to other heritage assets (including World Heritage Sites, Registered Parks and Gardens, Registered Battlefields and Locally Listed Buildings), the NPPF states that there is a:. desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation. (Paragraph 131 of the NPPF)
Definition of Significance Annex 2 (Glossary) of the NPPF defines significance as:. The value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset s physical presence, but also from its setting.
Assessment of Significance Paragraph 128 of the NPPF states that:. In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance.
What is Setting? Annex 2 (Glossary) of the NPPF defines Setting as:..the surroundings in which a heritage asset in experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral.
Summary of Historic England Guidance (Historic England (2015) GPA3: The Setting of Heritage Assets) Setting is not a heritage asset. Its importance lies in what it contributes to the significance of the heritage asset Setting does not have a fixed boundary and cannot be described as lying within a set distance of a heritage asset All heritage assets have a setting and this forms part of their significance Setting can vary greatly in its nature and extent Setting has and will evolve, it can be planned or fortuitous Setting is not just about visual considerations, but is also about the way in which the asset is experienced and appreciated, including any functional or historic associations (Case Law Steer)
Definition of Conservation Historic England and the NPPF defines conservation as:. the process of maintaining and managing change to a heritage asset in a way that sustains and where appropriate enhances its significance.
Harm within the NPPF..When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. 132) (Paragraph
Substantial Harm..Where a proposed development will lead to substantial harm to or total loss of significance of a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm or loss. 133 of the NPPF) (Paragraph..In general terms, substantial harm is a high test, so it may not arise in many cases. For example, in determining whether works to a listed building constitute substantial harm, an important consideration would be whether the adverse impact seriously affects a key element of its special architectural or historic interest. It is the degree of harm to the asset s significance rather than the scale of the development that is to be assessed. The harm may arise from works to the asset or from development within its setting. (Paragraph 017 of the NPPG)
Less than Substantial Harm..Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. (Paragraph 134 of the NPPF)
Heritage Quiz Listed or not Listed?