Agenda item

The Committee received a report which provided an update on the outcome of the public consultation on the Draft Etton Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

It was officer’s recommendation that the Committee notes the outcome of the public consultation on the Etton Conservation Appraisal, recommends that the Cabinet Member for Growth, Planning, Housing & Economic Development considers and approves the proposed conservation area boundary change and that the Committee supports the adoption of the of the Etton Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan as the Council’s planning guidance and strategy for the Etton Conservation Area.

The Principal Built Environment Officer provided an overview of the report and raised the following points:

·         All conservation areas were undergoing a review. The two before the Committee today were number 21 and 22 out of 29.

·         The reviews were in order to keep the documents readable and to maintain a management plan.

·         The appraisals outlined the character of an area, reviewed the boundaries of the conservation area and provided guidance.

·         The Etton Conservation Area appraisal described the area’s special character as its rural landscape.

·         The public consultation had attracted a number of positive responses, with a few minor corrections. Comments were also made about the marquee at the Golden Pheasant.

·         The management plan outlined for more sympathetic traffic calming measures to be used, underground utility wires, tree planting and for the identification of buildings making a positive contribution.

·         It was explained that the boundary of the conservation area was to be extended to include the fields to the south west of the village.

The Committee discussed the temporary marquees placed outside the Golden Pheasant. It was noted that if the Council determined not to renew temporary permission for these, a more permanent structure would be sought, which would be more in line with the current building. The traffic calming measures referenced in the report were questioned and the Principal Built Environment Officer advised that the option of closing the link between Etton and Maxey may be a future consideration.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

1.         Noted the outcome of the public consultation on the Etton Conservation Area Appraisal;

2.         Recommended that the Cabinet Member for Growth, Planning, Housing & Economic Development considers and approves the proposed  conservation area boundary change; and

3.         Supports the adoption of the Etton Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan as the Council’s planning guidance and strategy for the Etton Conservation Area.

Reasons for the decision:

Adoption of the Etton Conservation Area Appraisal as the Council’s planning guidance and strategy for the Areawould:

·         fulfil the Local Planning Authorities obligations under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to prepare and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of Conservation Areas. 

·         provide specific Conservation Area advice which would be used as local design guidance and therefore assist in achieving the Council’s aim of improved design standards and the delivery of a high quality planning service.

·         have a positive impact on the enhancement of the Conservation Area by ensuring that new development in the historic environment is both appropriate to its context and of demonstrable quality.