Conservation Casework Log Notesfebruary2017

CONSERVATION CASEWORK LOG NOTESFEBRUARY2017

The TGT conservation team received 110new cases in England and one case in Wales duringFebruaryinaddition to ongoing work on previously logged cases. Written responses were submitted by the GT and/or CGTs for the following cases. In addition to the responses below,42 ‘No Comment’responses were lodged by the GT and two by GCTs in response to planning applications included in the weekly lists.

Site / County / GHS ref / Reg Grade / Proposal / Written Response
Tortworth Court / Avon / E16/0725
E16/0893 / II* / PLANNING APPLICATION Alterations to existing greenhouse to facilitate change of use to workshop with valeting bays for vehicle preparation (Class B1c) and ancillary offices with trade counter (Class B1) and (Class B8) and construction of associated parking. Glasshouse G5(a), Tortworth Business Park, Charfield Road, Tortworth, South Gloucestershire. LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
PLANNING APPLICATION Alterations to existing 3no. greenhouses to facilitate change of use to (Class B1c) and (Class B8) with trade counter, as defined in Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) and construction of associated parking. Glasshouses G1(C), G2(B) And G4(E), Tortworth Business Park, Charfield Road, Tortworth, South Gloucestershire. LIGHT INDUSTRIAL / TGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 16.02.2017 (AMENDED PLANS)
Thank you for consulting The Gardens Trust in its role as Statutory Consultee with regard to proposed development affecting a site included by Historic England on their Register of Parks & Gardens, with regard to the amendments above.
The Gardens Trust responded and objected to application PT16/4566/F on 2nd September 2016. With regard to the amendments above we would like to reiterate our original comments. It is extremely regrettable that the Kitchen Garden will no longer be used for its original purpose - a second hand car dealership with large expanses of tarmac and metal-clad ex-greenhouses does not exactly embrace the spirit of a walled kitchen garden. The poor condition of the walls is cause for concern, and any permissions should only be granted after a detailed condition report on the existing kitchen garden walls has been undertaken. This should lead to an enforceable condition for an historically sensitive restoration of the walls to the extent shown on the OS 1881 map. It would also be beneficial for everyone, including the owner, if a Master Plan for the walled garden could be drawn up as a benchmark against which all suggested development could be measured.
NPPF para 133 states that “where a proposed development will lead to substantial harm or total loss of significance of a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm … is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits.” Whilst the Gardens Trust believes that the applications will not cause substantial harm, they will cause some harm and there are no obvious public benefits. The complete disappearance of any semblance of horticulture from within the walls would comprehensively alter the character of the site. It would also have a detrimental impact upon views to and from within the walled kitchen garden and would impact negatively upon its setting and significance. NPPF advises that significance “can be harmed … (by) development within its setting. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm … should require clear and convincing justification.” (NPPF para.132). There is nothing in the application to substantiate this requirement.
The Gardens Trust OBJECTS to these applications and we would be grateful if you could inform us of the outcomes.
Yours sincerely,
Margie Hoffnung
Conservation Officer
The Gardens Trust
Banham Park / Berkshire / E16/1522 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Installation of new culvert to replace Barnards Lock underbridge which will be demolished and infilled to form a railway embankment and the division of the River Kennet which requires approximately 150m of new river channel, the redundant river channel will be infilled. Work includes ecological mitigation. Barnards Lock, Benham Valence, Speen, Newbury. MISCELLANEOUS / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 06.02.2017
Notice of this Application was given to the Gardens Trust because it is adjacent to the Grade II listed Landscape, Benham Park. The Berkshire Gardens Trust is a constituent body of the Gardens Trust and we have been asked to comment on the Application on behalf of the Gardens Trust. Our concern is whether this work will have an undue adverse effect on the historic Park, which is one of the few remaining extant landscapes laid out by Capability Brown in Berkshire.
We recognise that the railway, canal and river have been part of this landscape for many years and that the woodland and vegetation have grown around the man-made structures and mitigate their intrusive nature. The question is the extent to which that will be destroyed by the current proposals.
Clearly there is a need to carry out work on an unsafe structure, and the present bridge is deteriorating to the point where it will be unsafe. So work has to be done. We also appreciate that there will be disruption whilst the remedial work is carried out and accept that. It is important that the completed work is sympathetic with its surroundings and that it is screened by trees and vegetation from the Mansion as far as possible.
The Environmental Study sets out in detail the work which is proposed to ameliorate the damage to the landscape. We were surprised to find no photographs from the Mansion looking towards the site. This might enable the Planning Authority to conclude that any damage will be minimal and short-lived. If that is so then the balance must be in favour of the Application being granted.
Such photographs should be taken from the front of the Mansion and from the first-floor windows. Subject to that, and the PA being satisfied with the adequacy of the screening, we have no further comment to make.
Yours sincerely,
Charles Elly, DL – Chairman of the Berkshire Gardens Trust
Hall Place / Berkshire / E16/1546 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Replacement of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing rear extension. The Lodge, Hall Place, Burchetts Green Road, Burchetts Green, Maidenhead SL6 6QP. BUILDING ALTERATION / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 07.02.2017
I am writing on behalf of the Berkshire Gardens Trust having seen this Application advertised in the Maidenhead Advertiser. The BGT is interested in the historic and important gardens in Berkshire. We aim to preserve these important parks and gardens for the benefit of future generations.
This does not mean we oppose all development. We recognise that the needs of the public for development must sometimes outweigh the desirability of preserving our heritage. However we want to help Planning Authorities look for ways to avoid destruction of our heritage and ameliorate any damage caused by development.
The BGT is part of the Gardens Trust which has absorbed the Garden History Society. As such the Gardens Trust is a statutory consultee in respect of development affecting registered landscapes. Hall Place is a registered landscape. I am very concerned that the GT has not been given notice of this application. This is the second time this has happened in the last 3 months. The first was the far more serious application for the building of a care village in the grounds of Hall Place.
I would be grateful to hear that the planning officers will ensure that in future notice will given as required by the planningregulations. Failing such an assurance I will have to raise this with the Councillors responsible for planning. I do not know whether Historic England have been consulted, but they too are a statutory consultee.
The Gardens Trust has recently produced a pamphlet explaining their responsibilities and copies have been sent to all Planning Authorities. If there is any concern about the scope of the reporting provisions I shall be pleased to meet you and explain further.
Having looked at the proposed work, the Trust does not want to comment on the merits of the Application.
We have had a chance to consider this Application and the supporting documentation and do not object to the proposed work.
Charles Elly DL
Chairman of the Berkshire Gardens Trust
Princess Gardens and Royal Terrace Gardens / Devon / E16/1542 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Change of use of land for the temporary erection and operation of a 50m observation wheel, carousel and associated ancillary development (5 year period between the period of March to the 31st OAddress: Land At, Princess Gardens, Off Torbay Road, Torquay. VISITOR ATTRACTION / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 27.02.2017
Thank you for consulting the Gardens Trust on the above application which affects Princess Gardens and the Royal Terrace Gardens, historic designed landscapes of national significance which are included by Historic England on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest at Grade II. The Devon Gardens Trust is a member of The Gardens Trust and acts on its behalf in responding to consultations in the County of Devon. We have viewed the documents and the Historic England Register Map and entry. We have visited Princess Gardens many times and would ask you to consider the following comments.
The heritage asset of Princess Gardens comprises the late C19 seafront public garden which is a grade II Registered landscape, Princess Parade, the Pavilion, a cast iron fountain and the early C20 war memorial, all listed grade II.
We attended a site meeting with officers of Torbay Council in January 2017 and were assured that a substantial part of the rental income from the observation wheel would go towards improvements to Princess Gardens. This is confirmed in the Supporting Planning Statement. The improvements would include the removal of the inappropriately designed seating shelters (which are often subject to vandalism), the repair and maintenance of both the War Memorial and the cast iron Fountain. The removal of the seating shelters would be a considerable improvement to the character and appearance of the gardens.
In view of these conservation gains we do not wish to object to the proposal.
Yours faithfully
John ClarkConservation Officer
Rockbeare Manor / Devon / E16/1558 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Removal of 130m length of hedgerow. Land South Of Lions Farm, Rockbeare, Exeter EX5 2LT. AGRICULTURE / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 20.02.2017
Thank you for consulting the Devon Gardens Trust on the proposal to remove a 130m section of hedgerow at Rockbeare Manor, an historic designed landscape of national importance included by Historic England on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest at Grade II. On 16 November 2016, we met Simon Bates, Green Infrastructure Project Manager for East Devon District Council, on site to discuss the proposal. It was apparent at our site meeting that the removal of the 130m section of hedge would considerably improve the parkland, in particular the main vista across the parkland from the first floor drawing room and balcony of the Grade I house. Gerard Noel has carried out many improvements to the parkland of Rockbeare Manor over many years and this proposal is part of these ongoing improvements. We understand that the removal of the hedgerow would be followed by the planting of a number of individual specimen parkland trees in the fields beyond. Rockbeare Manor was laid out in the English Landscape Style, in common with countless estates throughout the country, which were ‘improved’ from the eighteenth century onwards. The park at Rockbeare Manor was created in c1820 from some thirty previous enclosures; some of the mature deciduous trees survive from the earlier field boundaries. The removal of the hedgerow is a continuation of a long standing tradition of parkland improvements to this estate.
In conclusion, he Devon Gardens Trust fully support the proposal as it would improve the designed historic landscape of Rockbeare Manor. We strongly recommend that planning permission is granted.
Yours faithfully
John Clark Conservation Officer
The Hoe / Devon / E16/1529 / II / PRE-APPLICATION Demolition of existing buildings and structures, and erection of a mixed use development comprising of a hotel, residential and conference uses, restaurants, car parking, public open space, landscaping and associated works. Former Quality Hotel, Cliff Road, Plymouth. MAJOR HYBRID / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 07.02.2017
The Devon Gardens Trust is a member of The Gardens Trust and acts on its behalf in responding to consultations on its behalf in the County of Devon. We have viewed the documents and the Historic England Register Map and entry. We have visited The Hoe many times and would ask you to consider the following comments.
The historic designed landscape of The Hoe adjoining the proposed development is highly sensitive and forms the maritime setting of Plymouth. Plymouth Hoe occupies a special place in England’s history and is perhaps best known for the story that Sir Francis Drake played his famous game of bowls here in 1588 before sailing out with the English fleet to engage with the Spanish Armada. The Hoe commands views of Plymouth Sound, Drake's Island, and across the River Tamar to Mount Edgcumbe The proposal is for a ten storey hotel and a fourteen storey apartment block on the site of the former Quality Hotel. The site is in a commanding position immediately adjoining The Hoe. This extremely important location clearly calls for a design of the highest quality in terms of height, scale, massing, architectural design, construction and materials if it is to be considered acceptable.
The Hoe is a large open landscape, framed to the south by a series of imposing Victorian stucco houses, mainly four and five storey in height. The height, scale, massing, and architectural design of the proposed two slab blocks, one ten storeys and one fourteen storeys, would therefore be completely alien to this attractive townscape and would dramatically affect the setting of The Hoe and the wider panorama. The proposed development, due its vertical form, scale and conspicuousness, would have inevitable significantly harmful impacts upon the views from The Hoe, the Promenade as well as on the inter-visibility between The Hoe and Mount Edgcumbe, which is a Grade I Registered park and garden and of International importance. It would also fail to protect the maritime setting of Plymouth Under the NPPF it is a core planning principle to conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future generations (NPPF para.17). When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. No other planning concern is given a greater sense of importance in the NPPF. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification(NPPF para.132). NPPF para.128, requires 'an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary.' The Gardens Trust considers that the proposal would result in substantial harm to the designated heritage assets and would not meet the requirements of the NPPF. and therefore we object to the current proposals.
Yours faithfully
John Clark
Conservation Officer
New Hall, Boreham / Essex / E16/1526 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Construction of 4no. timber frame lodges to be used as staff residences. New Hall School, The Avenue, Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3HS. EDUCATION / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 06.02.2017
New Hall is a grade I Tudor mansion set in a grade II registered landscape with many layers of history, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. As the list description acknowledges, the setting of the house and its landscape is ‘increasingly urban’, under pressure from both new housing in the vicinity and the further development of the school which occupies the premises. This application is for four large three-bedroom prefabricated lodges which would be located round a pond, a former fish pond. The application is very poorly presented, with an inadequate Design and Access Statement and no Heritage Statement, and lacking any argued justification explaining the need for the buildings, or why this type of building with features such as slate effect tiles has been preferred. There is no information on the landscaping in the form of paths and amenity etc that is likely to accompany such buildings. The proposal would add significantly to the built form around the listed building and in the registered landscape, affecting their setting and having a particular effect on the pond, which is a historic feature. The Essex Gardens Trust, representing The Gardens Trust, would like to object to this application.