Thirsk Conservation Area Appraisal
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Thirsk and Sowerby Conservation Area Appraisal Supplementary Planning Document Hambleton Local Development Framework Adopted 21 December 2010 Contents 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................. 3 6. MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................... 46 Definition and Purpose Management Strategy Statutory Duties of the Local Authority Monitoring and Review Community Involvement Maintaining Quality and Consistency Policy Context Boundary Review Opportunities for Improvement or Enhancement 2. THE CONSERVATION AREA ............................ 5 Design Guidance Designation of the Conservation Area Existing Historic Buildings Previous Statements Article 4 Directions Conservation Area Boundary Heritage Assets Geographic Location Landscape Setting ANNEX ........................................................... Conservation Area Design Guide 3. HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHAEOLOGY ............................................ 6 History Archaeology Historic Map 4. ARCHITECTURAL QUALITIES AND BUILDING STYLES ........................................ 10 Style and Details of Buildings Building Materials Floorscape Enclosures Street Furniture and Monuments Trees and Open Spaces 5. AREA CHARACTER APPRAISALS .............. 24 Approaches to the Conservation Area Character Areas Landmark Buildings Important Views and Vistas General Condition Opportunity Sites, Problem Areas, Negative Factors 2 THIRSK AND SOWERBY CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL December 2010 1. Introduction 1.1 DEFINITION AND PURPOSE • Reassess current boundaries to ensure they make sense on the ground. 1.1.1 A Conservation Area is defined as an ‘area of special architectural or historic interest the 1.1.4 The draft SPD proposed the introduction of a character and appearance of which it is desirable new Article 4 (2) Direction in Sowerby Village to preserve and enhance’ (Section 69 of the (see para 1.2.2). This has since been Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation implemented and the boundary is marked on Areas) Act 1990). Map 4 at the rear of this document. The SPD will also assist Development Management in the 1.1.2 The purpose of a Conservation Area is to protect application of Policies DP28 (Conservation) and townscapes of quality and the local DP29 (Archaeology) of the Development Policies distinctiveness of areas valued for their visual Development Plan Document (DPDPD) of the characteristics and historic associations. Hambleton Local Development Framework Although Conservation Areas will usually contain (LDF). Further information on these policies can individual buildings of importance these tend to be found within the DPDPD, which is available be protected through the listed building process from: www.hambleton.gov.uk/ldf. whilst the Conservation Area designation addresses wider townscape and landscape 1.1.5 This SPD is aimed at members of the public issues. In looking at Conservation Areas the interested in conservation issues, residents of intangible qualities of views, vistas and context Conservation Areas, applicants for planning are critical rather than just the immediate fabric permission, their agents and architects, of the structures themselves. Development Management Planners and others involved in proposals for works within the 1.1.3 The purpose of this Supplementary Planning Conservation Area. Document (SPD) is to: 1.1.6 Whilst this document may provide some clarity • Define and record the special interest and on the historic significance of the Conservation understanding of the Conservation Area to Area, it is not meant to be an all encompassing ensure a full understanding of its value. document, and areas or features which are not • Increase public awareness of the aims and mentioned should not be considered unimportant objectives of Conservation Area designation within the Conservation Area. Please note that and stimulate interest in the protection of its all development proposals will be considered on character. their own merits. • Assist Development Management in the determination of planning applications, 1.2 STATUTORY DUTIES OF THE LOCAL Conservation Area Consents and Listed AUTHORITY Building Consent applications, with the aim of developing an appreciation of the cumulative 1.2.1 Local planning authorities are required to impacts of piecemeal development. ‘formulate and publish proposals for the • Identify areas for potential improvement. preservation and enhancement of any parts of • Suggest buildings for inclusion on a local list their area, which are Conservation Areas’ of buildings which are not included within the (Section 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and statutory list, but which have value to local Conservation Areas) Act 1990). people and communities for their historic and architectural importance. 3 THIRSK AND SOWERBY CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL SPD December 2010 - INTRODUCTION 1.2.2 In making a decision on an application for 1.3.2 Copies of the draft DPD were also sent to development in a Conservation Area, ‘special various interested regional and national bodies attention shall be paid to the desirability of such as English Heritage and North Yorkshire preserving and enhancing the character or County Council. appearance of that area’ (Section 72 of the Act). While this should ensure that harmful change is 1.3.3 The Conservation Area Appraisal has been not allowed, some changes, not normally adopted as SPD by the Council on 21st requiring planning permission (known as December 2010. permitted development) could still damage the special qualities of the area. Local Authorities 1.4 POLICY CONTEXT have special powers to issue directions removing certain permitted development rights from 1.4.1 This appraisal has been undertaken in the properties if it can be shown that it is necessary. context of existing and emerging planning These are known as Article 4 Directions. policies at both national and local level. English Heritage and other amenity bodies have issued 1.3 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT expert guidance on the subject of Conservation Area appraisals and the appraisal should 1.3.1 A draft appraisal was available for public therefore be read in conjunction with the consultation from September to November 2009. following documents: All residents of the Conservation Area were informed of the 8 week consultation period by • The Local Development Framework Core letter indicating how they would be individually Strategy and Development Policies DPDs. affected with an enclosed leaflet. The • National Planning Policy Guidance especially; consultation was publicised in the local press Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the and within the Council’s Newspaper, ‘Hambleton Historic Environment and the Historic News’. A public exhibition was held during this Environment Planning Practice Guide, time in the Town Hall and issues arising were March 2010. discussed at the Thirsk Area Forum. A • Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals Consultation Statement (October 2010) has (English Heritage 2006) been produced which addresses comments • Guidance on the Management of made by interested parties. Amendments have Conservation Areas (English Heritage 2006) been made where necessary to this document in line with comments received. 4 THIRSK AND SOWERBY CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL SPD December 2010 - INTRODUCTION 2. The Conservation Area 2.1 DESIGNATION OF THE CONSERVATION AREA miles to the south east along the A19. Thirsk has a station on the main east coast railway line 1 2.1.1 Thirsk and Sowerby Conservation Area was mile west of the town with links to York, designated on 12th August 1971. The boundary Newcastle and beyond. was amended on 27th February 1990 to include Town End terraces at Sowerby and parts of 2.5 LANDSCAPE SETTING Long Street in Thirsk. 2.5.1 The town sits in open agricultural land on Cod 2.2 PREVIOUS STATEMENTS Beck, a principal tributary of the River Swale. Cod Beck is not only historically important in the 2.2.1 The District Council published a Conservation development of the town but also has a key Area Assessment in November 2003. It provides influence on many areas and spaces within a guide to the implications of designation, a brief Thirsk and is very much part of the character of history of Thirsk and Sowerby and defines the the Conservation Area. The eastern horizon is boundary of the designated area. The defined by the rise of the North York Moors assessment forms a base line guide for this approximately 4 miles away at Boltby Moor and Conservation Area Appraisal. The 2003 Sutton Bank, whilst to the west the countryside is assessment was preceeded by the original open and undulating as far as the Pennines, designation booklet produced by North Riding which form a distant horizon 25 miles to the County Council in 1971. west. To the south the comparatively flat land of the Vale of York stretches off to the far distance. 2.3 CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY 2.5.2 Thirsk and Sowerby Conservation Area 2.3.1 The Conservation Area boundary remains as encompasses both settlements, which are amended in 1990 as shown on Map 1. Through physically linked, but remain separate parishes. the process of this appraisal no amendments It focuses on the historic centre of each and have been made to the Conservation Area takes in some of the surrounding countryside boundary, which is still considered appropriate. It where it forms the setting to the historic encompasses the core of the two neighbouring environment, but it does not encompass any of settlements of Thirsk and Sowerby and takes in the substantial later 20th Century