Policy P9 The Historic Environment

The plan should require through any heritage assessment accompanying a development proposal affecting a heritage asset, an analysis of the contribution of that asset individually and collectively to the local economy; assessing contribution before and after the development proposed .

The plan should acknowledge the role the historic environment plays in the economic vitality of the District. It should require through any heritage assessment accompanying a development proposal affecting a heritage asset, an analysis of the contribution of that asset individually and collectively to the local economy.

Heritage assessments frequently focus on the design and fabric of the asset and its immediate setting. Less frequent is an assessment considering the individual role of the asset in the distinctiveness of a settlement which makes it attractive to visitors and encourages visitor spend.

WGPC supports this policy intent.

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This could be consolidated into a single heritage policy, noting that there are separate policies dealing with Listed Buildings (P10) and Conservation Area (P11).

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Request Policy is modified so that it is effective and unambiguous that there are a number of processes through which non-designated heritage assets can be
identified including the local plan, neighbourhood plans and conservation area appraisals and reviews. This is all set out in PPG58 and this guidance should be followed by CDC to amend Policy P9 or create a new policy focused just on non-designated heritage assets.

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As the Government's adviser on the historic environment Historic England is keen to ensure that the protection of the historic environment is fully taken into account at all stages of the planning process. This includes formulation of local development policy and plans, supplementary planning documents, area and site proposals, and the on-going review of policies and plans.

There are many issues and matters in the consultation document that are beyond the remit and concern of Historic England and our comments are, as required, limited to matters relating to the historic environment and heritage assets. In our previous comments (by online submissions dated I - 6 February 2019), Historic England focused on the objective of the National Planning Policy Framework to set out a positive strategy for the conservation, enjoyment and enhancement of the historic environment (now Paragraph 190, NPPF); and contain policies to deliver the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment (now Paragraph 190a, NPPF).

Our comments on the Regulation 18 stage draft Local Plan largely have been addressed in the current Publication version or are, in our view, not now likely to affect the soundness of the Local Plan.

We welcome the inclusion of policies for the historic environment in the local plan at Policies P9 - P13 that, along with other policies, meet the obligation for preparing the positive strategy required by the NPPF. The key test of the soundness of the plan and the achievement of sustainable development as defined in the NPPF in respect of the elements that relate to the historic environment (paragraph 190), in our view, have been met.