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Policy HE1: Development and the Historic Environment

The Borough Council will require that, where applicable, all new development in the Borough pays special attention to:

1. Preservation of Listed Buildings or their setting, or any features of special architectural interest which they possess, and

2. Preservation or enhancement of the character or appearance of the Borough's Conservation Areas, and

3. Protection of sites of archaeological importance, and

4. Protection of Historic Parks and Gardens, and

5. Protection of the Borough's historic landscapes.

10.32 - This policy establishes the Borough Council's commitment to the Historic Environment, and sets the scene for the more detailed policies in the remainder of this chapter.

10.33 - Other policies and proposals in this Local Plan stress the need for new development in the Borough, but this must be reconciled with the Council's obligation to protect the historic environment from adverse change.

10.34 - The historic environment must, however, accommodate some change. Indeed, the appropriate economic use of existing buildings or features for residential, commercial, leisure or tourism related uses is often essential to secure their future. The Borough Council's approach will therefore be one of positive conservation, where the perceived need for appropriate development is balanced against the Council's responsibility to protect the historic environment.

10.35 - There will be cases where proposals are submitted involving the alteration or demolition of Listed Buildings, or the demolition of unlisted buildings in Conservation Areas, which may not require planning permission, but which require Listed Building Consent or Conservation Area Consent from the Borough Council. The Borough Council will therefore publish separate Supplementary Planning Guidance to this Local Plan which will set out the criteria for determining such applications.

10.36 - The Borough Council will also publish Conservation Area Assessments for each designated Conservation Area. These assessments will explain the elements which contribute towards a Conservation Area's special architectural or historic interest, and will be used to judge planning applications affecting it. Although Supplementary Planning Guidance policies and Conservation Area Assessments do not have the special status afforded to policies in the Local Plan by Section 54A of the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act, they will be taken into consideration by the Council, particularly where they have been the subject of public scrutiny and have been formally adopted by the Council.

10.37 - It is strongly recommended that all proposals which may affect any element of the historic environment are discussed at an early stage with the Borough Council.

10.38 - The Borough Council will promote the proper repair and restoration of Listed Buildings, unlisted buildings within Conservation Areas and other buildings of local historic interest in the rural area, and will endeavour to provide grant-aid for this purpose.

10.39 - The Borough Council can assist positive conservation by making resources available for the repair of Listed Buildings within the area. This can help property owners and developers in taking full advantage of older buildings as assets, and can provide a lever for the Borough Council to secure the conservation of their specific architectural and historic features. However, because of the large demands on local authority resources, the availability of funds will be subject to the normal budgetary considerations.

10.40 - Historic buildings within the Oswestry Town centre Conservation Area are eligible for grant-aid which will be used to assist property owners with the proper repair of their buildings, in accordance with established repair principles. Other funding may also be available towards the appropriate 'enhancement' of buildings or floor scape.

10.41 - In the Rural Areas, the level of funding available for historic buildings is more limited compared with the number of properties in need of repair. However, the Borough Council will continue to give priority to buildings 'at risk' and to properties within rural Conservation Areas. Elsewhere, more modest historic buildings can be important within their context and will be given consideration in the allocation of funds. The Borough Council will also endeavour to attract grant aid from other sources, including grants from English Heritage, the National Lottery and from the European Community.

Chapter 10: The Historic Environment
Back to Local Plan 1996-2004