Issue - meetings

To consider the draft updated Staines Conservation Area Appraisal for public consultation

The Committee considered a report seeking their consent to agree the draft updated Staines Conservation area appraisal for public consultation.  This was the first of eight conservation areas in the borough that would be reviewed.

The review had been undertaken by consultants and included recommendations on boundary changes.  The review was part of a wider aim by the Council to preserve or enhance the special character and appearance of the conservation area and to enable sustainable decisions to be taken about its future management.

Assurance was sought that taking out part of Staines bridge that was within Runnymede Borough Council area would not present any issues should work be necessary in the future.   The Principal Planning Officer advised that this would be Surrey County Council’s responsibility so would not present a problem.

Concern was expressed at the length of time since the last appraisal was undertaken and members were advised that the appraisals would be added to the strategic forward plan going forward.  

The purpose of the appraisal was to document what was important about the conservation area and focus on the elements that were important to retain.  It would not prevent development but encourage better, more traditional styling of developments that were relevant to the area.

A request was made that Moor Lane be added to the list of areas for appraisal.  Officers advised that there were seven other areas to be considered and, after that, any other additional areas would be considered.  The Committee requested an update on the appraisal list and a timeline for completion?

Options considered and rejected:

·         To not agree the revised draft appraisal for consultation

·         To agree the revised draft appraisal for consultation but with further amendments

Resolved to:

1.    Agree the draft updated Staines Conservation Area Appraisal for consultation

2.    Agree to go out to 6 weeks public consultation on the proposed amendments to the Conservation Area

3.    Delegate authority to the Group Head Regeneration and Growth, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, to approve the final document, taking account of comments, as required, which arise from the consultation.

Reason for decision:

Under planning policy, local planning authorities are required to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas.  The appraisal of Staines Conservation is the first of eight which will be completed as part of updating the conservation areas across the borough.  The appraisal defines three distinct character areas and includes recommendations on boundary changes to remove areas where designation is no longer justified and also proposals to extend the boundary in some locations.