THE HERITAGE OF WOKING An Historic Conservation Compendium (As Amended 2000) Historic Buildings Ancient Monuments Conservation Areas Historic Gardens PLANNING WOKJNG BOROUGH COUNCIL THE HERITAGE OF WOKING An Historic Conservation Compendium (As Amended 2000) Historic Buildings Ancient Monuments Conservation Areas Historic Gardens Planning Services Woking Borough Council Civic Offices Gloucester Square Woking Surrey CU21 1YL (01483)743443 C.L.FAIRLAMB Borough Planning Officer CONTENTS Commentary 1 List of Buildings of Architectural and Historic Significance 5 Appendix 1 - Local Plan Policies 2000 22 Appendix 2 - Existing Measures to Protect Listed Buildings 25 Appendix 3 - Guidance on the Retention of Locally Listed Buildings 28 Appendix 4 - Conservation Areas in Woking 30 Appendix 5 - Additional Planning Controls in Conservation Areas 85 Appendix 6 - Ancient Monuments in Woking 89 Appendix 7 - Historic Gardens/ Landscape in Woking 95 COMMENTARY 1.0 Introduction 3.3 Supplementary Planning Guidance has been produced by Woking Borough 1.1 Woking possesses many buildings of Council, including a conservation areas architectural and historic interest, as well leaflet, guidance on locally listed as conservation areas, forming part of its buildings, and background information in cultural heritage. Other components of the Planning Handbook. this heritage include ancient monuments, sites of archaeological 3.4 The Council will also be preparing significance, historic gardens, and areas guidance notes giving detailed design of historic landscape interest. All these and conservation advice for each aspects of Woking's history need individual conservation area. Also a appropriate protection for future photographic record and description of generations to enjoy. all Listed Buildings and structures is held by Planning Services at the Council. 2.0 National Policy Guidance 3.5 All relevant policies are listed in Appendix 1. 2.1 The statutory framework for the protection of Woking's built heritage is 4.0 Buildings of Special Architectural or contained within the Planning (Listed Historic Interest (Statutory) Buildings and Conservation Areas ) Act 1990 and the Ancient Monuments and 4.1 The Secretary of State for the Archaeological Areas Act 1979 Environment, Transport and the Regions (amended by the National Heritage Act is responsible for the compilation and 1983). maintenance of the Statutory List of Buildings of special architectural or 2.2 Central Government advice is provided historic interest. Buildings are selected on by Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 the basis of age, particular historical/ "Planning and the Historic Environment" architectural character reflecting socio- (September 1994) which has replaced economic history, association with well (other than for certain directions and known local people (e.g. authors, artists, procedures) Government Circular 8/87 architects etc.), or possessing some group "Historic Buildings and Conservation value. In terms of age, the following Areas - Policy and Procedure". groups are recognised: 2.3 Matters of archaeological interest are • all buildings before 1700 which are covered by Planning Policy Guidance substantially intact; Note 16 "Archaeology and Planning" • most buildings 1700-1840 are listed, (November 1990). though selection is necessary; • between 1840-1914 only buildings of 3.0 Local Policy Guidance definite quality and character are listed, including the principal works of 3.1 At the local level, policy guidance is important architects; provided by the approved Surrey • post 1914 buildings of high quality Structure Plan 1994. and distinctive or representative of past architectural styles. 3.2 The Woking Borough Plan 1999 contains policies which reinforce both 4.2 The list is divided into Grade I buildings Central Government and Structure Plan of exceptional or national interest, and guidance. Grade II* and Grade II for buildings of special interest. 4.3 Such buildings provide a sense of 5.2 The Council will undertake periodic continuity and a link with the past; the reviews to consider the inclusion of Council will seek to conserve and additional buildings on the local list when enhance the fabric and setting of such necessary. Those buildings worthy of buildings. Any works which materially inclusion on the local list are subdivided affect a listed Building including its into two categories: setting, will require Listed Building consent Buildings of Local Architectural or Historic Significance 4.4 There are currently 158 Statutory Listed Buildings in the Borough 4 of which are 5.3 Essentially, these comprise the older Grade I. properties in the Borough which fall just short of the standards required for 4.5 The list contains a wide range of selection onto the Statutory List. The buildings and structures, including farm following criteria (essentially the same as buildings, churches, a convent, for the Statutory List) have been used in traditional cottages, and even a mosque their selection: and signal box. Woking was last surveyed by the then Department of the • all substantially intact buildings earlier Environment (DOE) in 1984, for a than 1840; production of a descriptive list. • buildings between 1840-1914 of good architectural character; 4.6 The Council will assist in the • selected buildings between 1914- preservation of these buildings and 1939, especially those having structures, and where appropriate will interesting or unusual architectural provide financial assistance to the detail; owners for sympathetic restoration or • exceptional early post-war buildings repair. Details of grants available is given may also be included. in Section 6.0. The character of Listed Buildings and their contribution to the Buildings of Townscape Merit urban and rural landscape can be severely damaged by intensive 5.4 These are buildings of any age up to early alterations. post-war period which are representative of their architectural period, and are 4.7 The Council will, through the exercise of notable for their interesting character of its development control powers, ensure distinctive location. Many of the buildings that any alteration to a Listed Building or also reflect the decorative detail and its setting is of a high quality of design. workmanship commonly used in the past. Demolition of any Statutory Listed The following criteria have been used for Building is not allowed other than in their selection: exceptional circumstances. The existing measures to protect Listed Buildings are • buildings containing unique features given in Appendix 2. or having distinctive architectural character e.g. special decorative 5.0 Buildings of Local Architectural or treatment of facing materials; Historic Interest (Non- Statutory) • buildings of distinctive architectural quality which have made interesting 5.1 In addition to the Statutory List, 330 use of visually significant sites and buildings have been selected by the form local landmarks. Such buildings Council to form a 'local list', comprising may provide vistas, emphasise corner residential, commercial and public sites or provide focal points in the buildings. townscape. 5.6 Although buildings on the local list have 7.0 Conservation Areas no form of statutory protection, their status is still a relevant consideration in 7.1 The Council has powers to designate any planning application. However, areas considered to have special where they are located within a architectural or historic interest as conservation area, they are afforded conservation areas. Although Woking some degree of statutory protection. The does not possess a large number of Council has also introduced important buildings or historic settlement Supplementary Planning Guidance to patterns, particularly as much of the provide additional protection for town did not develop until mid-Victorian buildings on the local list including the times, there is nonetheless, a number of provision of repair grants to the same areas with distinctive character that level as Statutory Listed Buildings (see should be retained. These areas of Appendix 3). special character provide a framework of focal points throughout the Borough and 6.0 Repair Grants strengthen the character of many areas. There are now 25 conservation areas 6.1 Both the Borough Council and the including the centres of 'villages' such as County Council provide discretionary Horsell, Byfleet, and Old Woking and grants for the repair of Statutory Listed several residential areas of distinctive Buildings. The Borough Council will also character. provide grants for buildings on the local list, to the same level as Statutory Listed 7.2 The designation of such areas can Buildings. enhance the quality of developments within the area for the benefit of 6.2 Grants are generally available for all residents, visitors and local businesses. permanent repair works to the built fabric but not for normal maintenance 7.3 The Council will undertake periodic such as painting. Works which normally reviews to consider the designation of be eligible for a grant include: further conservation areas. Designation of conservation areas helps to achieve • provision and repair of d.p.c. the following environmental objectives: • brick/ masonry repairs and repointing • replacement of roof or hanging tiles/ • Control any demolition of historic or other facing materials architecturally interesting properties • repair/ replacement of joinery, within the area, but where possible, including windows, doors, timber refurbishment rather than frames, roof and floor