Devon
Gardens
Trust
Planning Services
East Devon District Council
Council Offices
Knowle
Sidmouth
EX10 8HL
Your reference 13/0874/FUL
Our referenceE/13/0206
14 July 2013
Dear Sirs,
Construction of glasshouse (demolition of pergola) The Pavilion, Rousdon
Thank you for consulting The Garden History Society on the above application which affectsRousdon, an historic designed landscape of national importance,which is included by English Heritage on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest at Grade II.
The DevonGardens Trust works in partnership with The Garden History Society in responding to consultations. This new working structure allows us to utilise our detailed local knowledge, together with the support of The Garden History Society, to ensure that your Council, as the local planning authority, receives authoritative specialist advice on planning and conservation matters regarding applications affecting historic parks and gardens and their setting.
We have visited Rousdon on several occasions.We have viewed the English Heritage Register entry, the Planning and Design Brief for The Rousdon Estate, the OS Map of 1880and have studied the application and the supporting documents on your web site. Weask you to consider the following comments:
The former cricket pavilion was constructed in the 1950’s as a memorial to the former pupils of All Hallows School who had fallen in World War II. The planning application to convert the building into a dwelling was granted subject to conditions to preserve its essential character and appearance. The proposed glasshouse is, quite frankly, a rather poor design which we consider would harm the visual appearance of The Pavilion.
Good conservation practiceindicates that where a planning application affects the historicenvironment, the applicant must demonstrate a clear understanding of thesignificance of the affected heritage asset, and that the proposed development will not adversely affect its historic significance. We wouldsuggest that the applicant has not satisfied these criteria. The Devon Gardens Trust, together with The Garden History Society, advises that development which adversely impacts upon the historicenvironment should not be permitted.
In conclusion, we are concerned about the adverse visual impact of the proposed development on The Pavilion within the context of the historic designed landscape of Rousdon. We recommend that your authority should refuse consent for this proposal as it clearly conflicts with national planning policy with regard to the conservation of the historic environment.
Yours faithfully
John Clark
Conservation Officer
Devon Gardens Trust Limited is Company Registered in England and Wales (Reg. No. 0227742) Limited by GuaranteeRegistered Charity No: 800540 ~ /
1988 – 2013