Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director and Public Protection

The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Economy and Public Protection to seek Cabinet approval to go out for public consultation with the new draft appraisal for the Victoria Embankment Conservation Area.

It was explained that the report provided justification for writing a new appraisal for the Victoria Embankment Conservation Area, it also briefly outlined the contents of the document and the proposed consultation process.

RESOLVED - It is recommended that: -

(a)    Cabinet authorises public consultation on the new draft appraisal for the Victoria Embankment Conservation Area attached at APPENDIX 1.

(b)   The draft document is publicised for a period of at least six weeks, to allow members of the public and other stakeholders sufficient time to submit comments.

(c)    The draft document is amended and finalised in light of the comments received during the public consultation period.

(d)   The finalised conservation area appraisal including new boundary is submitted to Councillors for adoption; this will be subject to another Cabinet report.

REASON - The recommendations are supported by the following reasons:-

(a)    According to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (as amended), the Council must review Darlington’s conservation area boundaries from time to time and make amendments where necessary. The duty to prepare and review appraisals is also reflected in the Darlington Local Plan, forming part of the Council’s proactive approach towards protecting the borough’s heritage assets.

(b)   The Victoria Embankment Conservation Area was designated on 10 May 1990. An appraisal was first adopted in March 2007. It did not include a reassessment of the original boundary line. The 2007 document is now considered out of date and inadequate.

(c)    The Victoria Embankment Conservation Area used to be on the national Heritage at Risk registers from 2009 until 2023, due to its poor condition.

(d)   The new appraisal offers a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Victoria Embankment Conservation Area in accordance with current planning policy and guidance, providing a robust document that would be of greater influence in the planning process. It also includes an assessment of the 1990 boundary line and the area’s condition, as well as proposals for enhancement to prevent it from becoming ‘at risk’ again.