Polkerris Conservation Area Character Appraisal & Management
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Polkerris Conservation Area Character Appraisal & Management Proposals March 2010 The Polkerris Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Proposals were commissioned by Restormel Borough Council. It was endorsed by Restormel Borough Council’s Policy and Scrutiny Committee 4 and Cabinet in June 2007 and was subsequently endorsed by Cornwall Council as a material consideration within the emerging Cornwall Council Local Development Framework on 24 April 2010. The recommended changes to the boundaries of Polkerris Conservation Area were authorised by Cornwall Council and came into effect on 24 April 2010. Contents Summary 1 Introduction 2 Location and Setting 3 Historic Development 4 Character 5 Negative features and issues 6 Management proposals Sources Acknowledgements: Maps The maps are based on Ordnance Survey material with the Thanks go to Cornwall County Council’s Historic Environment permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Service, Cornwall Centre (Cornish Studies Library) and Cornwall Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised Record Office, and to the Royal Institute of Cornwall’s Courtney reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution Library for their assistance during the research for this appraisal. and/or civil proceedings. The map data, derived from Ordnance A draft version of this appraisal has been through a public Survey mapping, included within this publication is provided by consultation process and revised in light of comments received. Restormel Borough Council under licence from the Ordnance Thanks go to all who took part in the consultation process. Survey in order to fulfil its public function to publicise local public services. Restormel Borough Council Licence No. (100018639) This document was endorsed by Restormel Borough Council in 2007. June 2007. The tithe map of 1839 (TM/242) is reproduced with permission of Contacts Cornwall Record Office, Cornwall County Council. Historic Environment Service The first edition Ordnance Survey map is reproduced, based on the Cornwall Council Ordnance Survey and Landmark 1880 OS 1:2500 historic mapping 39 Penwinnick Road with the permission of the Controller Her Majesty's Stationery Office St Austell © Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group. Unauthorised PL25 5DR reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to Prosecution [email protected] or civil proceedings. CCC licence No 100019590. All material copyright © Cornwall County Council 2007. 01726 223454. © Restormel Borough Council 2007 No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval This document is available to view and download on the Council’s system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the website - at http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=17377 prior permission of the publisher. Character Appraisal Polkerris and Management Proposals Conservation Area Summary Summary of special interest Polkerris is a small historic fishing settlement that developed around a sheltered sandy cove, at the foot of a steeply sloping valley, on the east side of St Austell Bay. The character of the village is strongly linked with its landscape setting and its ‘tucked away’ location is an important part of its charm. Popular with tourists and locals alike, the village remains a living community with a year round resident population. Largely unaltered during the 20th century, it is still defined by its historic use as a fishing cove and the crescent shaped harbour remains the focus of the settlement. Now used predominantly for leisure, recreation and tourism, the harbour arm and the remains of one of the largest fish cellars in Cornwall are iconic features of the settlement and reminders of the 18th century commercial development of the pilchard fishing industry and the harbour as a place of work. The development of the settlement has been constrained by the dramatic topography of the site. Former maritime related buildings, many now converted for commercial use, front the harbour and feature a number of surviving slipways. Behind this frontage the settlement, is dominated by residential dwellings of cottages and larger vernacular residences, and has an irregular form reflecting its ‘ad-hoc’, organic development. The trees and vegetation of the tightly enclosing valley sides form an important green backdrop to views inland. Equally spectacular views are available of the harbour from the cliff tops and across St Austell Bay to the Clay Country and Par Docks. March 2010 1 Summary Character Appraisal Polkerris and Management Proposals Conservation Area ‘Tucked away’ secluded coastal location Small historic Irregular settlement form fishing settlement popular reflects organic development. with tourists, locals Harbour remains focus of and residents settlement POLKERRIS IS A SPECIAL PLACE Stunning views across Important green Bay to clay country and Par backdrop of the enclosing Docks. Settlement views of valley sides harbour and roofscape Surviving historic Dominated by 18th and 19th streetscape elements add century cottages with prominent richness – floorscape, remains of the fishing industry boundary walls, including the 18th century pub signage harbour arm and fish cellars March 2010 2 Summary Character Appraisal Polkerris and Management Proposals Conservation Area Negative features and issues • Climate change has the potential to seriously affect the conservation area. The appraisal has identified the following negative features or issues adversely affecting the special character of the Management proposals conservation area: The protection and enhancement of the special character of • Three listed buildings have been demolished since their the conservation area depends on the positive conservation listing in 1974. management of the settlement. In addition to the existing national statutory legislation and local planning policy controls • Some inappropriate alterations to historic buildings have the following management proposals are recommended: led to the incremental loss of historic architectural features. • Rationalisation of the conservation area boundary. • Traffic management measures have impacted on the streetscape, in particular the extensive parking control • Consideration of the introduction of an Article 4 (2) measures. Direction to protect significant historic features and details of unlisted dwellings within the conservation area. • The entrance to a small caravan park above the core of the settlement has, to some degree, a negative impact. • Reduction of the negative impact of traffic and traffic management measures. • Public realm issues including poor boundary treatments, the use of standard street furniture that fails to respond to • Public realm enhancements. the high quality of the setting, prominent overhead cables • Promotion of the historic interest of the settlement. and waste management issues. • Respond to the challenge of climate change. March 2010 3 Summary Character Appraisal Polkerris and Management Proposals Conservation Area evolution of places. The challenge within conservation areas 1 Introduction is to manage change in a way that maintains, reinforces and enhances the special qualities of the area. What is a conservation area? What is the purpose of this appraisal? A conservation area is ‘an area of special architectural or This appraisal seeks to provide the basis for making informed, historic interest the character or appearance of which it is sustainable decisions in the positive management, protection desirable to preserve or enhance’. and enhancement of the Polkerris conservation area. Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Initial chapters provide a brief account of the historic Areas) Act 1990. development of the settlement and an analysis of its special What does conservation area status mean? character. Subsequent sections identify negative features and issues that detract from the area and outline management Conservation area status provides the opportunity to promote proposals. the protection and enhancement of the special character of the defined area. Designation confers a general control over This appraisal follows the current guidance set out by English development that could damage the area’s character with Heritage in the 2006 publication ‘Guidance on conservation strengthened controls covering the demolition of buildings, area appraisals’. minor development and the protection of trees. The appraisal is not intended to be comprehensive and the Change is inevitable in most conservation areas and it is not omission of any particular building, feature or space should the intention of the designation to prevent the continued not be taken to imply that it is of no interest. March 2010 4 1: Introduction Character Appraisal Polkerris and Management Proposals Conservation Area Planning policy context leaflet on living in a conservation area, a response form and details on how to view the full appraisal. Other interested This appraisal should be read in conjunction with the wider parties, including councillors and officers of the Borough national, regional and local planning policy and guidance. Council and County Council, the Parish Council, the Menabilly Relevant documents include: Estate as landholder, the Cornish Buildings Group and Old • Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 Cornwall Society, were also contacted. The consultation was • Planning Policy Guidance 15: Planning and the Historic advertised