Decision details

To consider the draft consultation document regarding the introduction of an Article 4 Direction under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to remove certain permitted development rights within Stamford Conservation Area.

Decision:

Cabinet approves the commencement of a formal process to remove permitted development rights for specific types of development within the designated Stamford Conservation Area as shown at appendix 1 of report number PLA11 under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.

The Cabinet also authorises the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Economy and Development to produce a set of options for the application fee for any works that would be restricted by the directive for any necessary consultation.

Considerations:

1.    Report number PLA11 of the Cabinet Member for Economy and Development and Stamford Conservation Area map attached as appendix 1 to the report

2.    Previously made comments by Stamford Town Council and Stamford Civic Society which expressed a view that Stamford Conservation Area should be the subject of an Article 4 Direction

3.    Benefits would include:

a.    Protection of the special character of a Conservation Area

b.    Enhancing the quality of the environment

c.    Encouraging the use of local and traditional building materials

d.    Ensuring buildings that contribute towards the area’s character are protected from unsympathetic and damaging change

e.    Aligning with the Council’s priority to promote tourism, leisure and the arts           

4.    An overview of the scope of withdrawing permitted development rights

5.    A summary of the Article 4 designation process

6.    Equality Analysis attached as appendix 2 to report number PLA11

Ward Member Engagement

District Councillors whose Wards were included in the Stamford Conservation area were made aware of the recommendation to propose an Article 4 Direction. Of the eight Ward Councillors affected, feedback was received from seven who all supported the proposal.

Other options considered:

To not designate an Article 4 Direction. There has been no area-wide control over permitted development across the Stamford Conservation Area since it was first designated in 1967. However there has since been a gradual erosion of the architectural details of the historic fabric of a number of unlisted buildings within the Conservation Area.