THIS REPORT RELATES COUNCIL TO ITEM ON THE AGENDA

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

11/11/1999 NOT EXEMPT

DESIGNATION OF CONSERVATION AREAS

1 PURPOSE

1.1 To highlight the need to proceed with the formal re-designation of the boundaries of six existing Conservation Areas within the Council Area.

2 SUMMARY

2.1 This report outlines the risks to these areas in delaying their formal designation, considers Government policy and best practice advice in the designation of Conservation Areas, and recommends a course of action in the best interests of the Conservation Areas concerned.

3 RECOMMENDATION(S)

3.1 That the Committee approve the cancellation of the existing Conservation Areas in , , , , , and and approve the formal designation of new, extended Conservation Areas, as proposed within the Stirling District Local Plan, Finalised Draft 1996.

4 CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 Within the Stirling District Local Plan, finalised draft 1996, six Conservation Areas are identified as requiring extension of their boundaries, to more fully reflect the true extent of the area of historic and/or architectural interest within the settlement. These are Balfron, Drymen, Dunblane, Killearn, Killin, and Kippen. The settlement plan for each of these areas is available for inspection in the Members Lounge and copies will be circulated for Members at Committee. These illustrate the proposed areas for extension of the existing Conservation Areas. It should be noted that there are no proposals to extend the boundaries of the Stirling Town Centre Conservation area.

4.2 The Local Plan also contains policy and reference to the need to carry our character appraisals for new or altered Conservation Areas (Policies E34 and E35, paragraph 2.46). The preparation of such appraisals is accepted as best practice and is now embodied within national planning policy guidance (NPPG18 – Planning and The Historic Environment). Although best practice -2-

would advocate that appraisals be prepared prior to any formal designation, the appraisal process can be lengthy and would delay the formal designation of these areas.

4.3 The extensive Local Plan public consultation process has provided opportunity for public scrutiny and comment on these proposed extensions to these Conservation Areas, and has given a firm basis for the proposals. Consultation on proposed Conservation Areas through the preparation of Local Plans is advised as an appropriate way of ensuring that the public have ample opportunity to comment upon proposed designations (Historic Memorandum of Guidance on Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas 1998). It is considered unwise to allow a long delay between this consultation and formal designation of these areas as this would undermine the viability of the public consultation.

4.4 The current lack of formal designation of these areas also puts them at some risk from inappropriate development and the potential for demolition, and other alterations, since they do not have the benefit of the statutory protection afforded to statutory designated Conservation Areas. Delaying formal designation in order to allow time for the preparation of formal appraisals could therefore be to the detriment of the quality of these areas. As a precautionary measure it is therefore considered appropriate to commence with formal designation of these Conservation Areas immediately. Once the Council decides to designate these Conservation Areas, a notice of the cancellation of the six existing Conservation Areas and the designation of six new Conservation Areas will be published in the Gazette and the Stirling Observer. This notice will also include information on the extent of the proposed new Conservation Areas and indicate where more plans and a list of streets affected by the designation can be viewed. The Secretary of State must be notified formally of the cancellations and designations and provided with copies of the formal notice, plans etc.

4.5 The Council has stated within the Local Plan a commitment to preparing character appraisals for both existing and any new Conservation Areas. Formal designation of these areas will not remove the need to prepare appraisals, and it will be important to follow the designations with the preparation of appraisals as soon as possible thereafter.

4.6 Conservation Area appraisals can be time consuming and competing priorities within Environmental Services may not allow for them to be done quickly. In order to speed up the appraisal process it may be necessary to employ consultants to carry out selective appraisal work.

5 POLICY IMPLICATIONS

5.1 Sustainability – The designation of the Conservation Areas will help ensure the preservation and enhancement of these areas for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

6 CONSULTATIONS

6.1 The process of public consultation through the Local Plan preparation has ensured ample opportunity for comment on the proposed designations.

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7 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

7.1 The cost of external consultants in the preparation of character appraisals can be met from existing Environmental Services budgets.

7.2 The work associated with the formal designation of the six Conservation Areas can be accommodated within the workplans of existing Environmental Services personnel.

8 BACKGROUND PAPERS

8.1 Stirling District Local Plan – Finalised Draft, 1996 Stirling District Local Plan – Inquiry Draft, October 1997

Author(s) Name Designation Tel No/Extension

Catherine Malley Planning Officer Ext 2453

Approved by Name Designation Signature

David Martin Director of Environmental Services

Date 19 October 1999 Reference

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