Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Economy 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’s approval to go out for public consultation with the new draft appraisal for the West End Conservation Area.

It was explained that the report provided justification for writing a new appraisal for the West End 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 West End 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 current boundary line of the West End Conservation Area (NB: this is not the original boundary line, see Main Report) was designated on 30 March 2010. An appraisal was first adopted at the same time. The 2010 document is now considered out of date and inadequate.

(c)    The West End Conservation Area has been on the national Heritage at Risk registers since 2011.

(d)   The new appraisal offers a comprehensive re-evaluation of the West End 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 2010 boundary line and the area’s condition, as well as proposals for enhancement in order to take it off the risk register.