Llangattock Conservation Area Appraisal

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Llangattock Conservation Area Appraisal Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Llangattock Conservation Area Appraisal December 2020 1 CONTENTS LLANGATTOCK CHARACTER ASSESSMENT 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Background 3 1.2 The appraisal process 3 1.3 Consultation 4 1.4 Review of the Conservation Area boundary 4 1.5 The planning policy context 4 2 Summary of Special Interest 7 3 Location and Setting 8 4 Historic Development and Archaeology 9 5 Spatial Analysis 12 6 Architectural Character 13 6.1 Building Style, Scale and Form 13 6.2 Materials 13 6.3 Architectural Detail 14 6.4 Streetscape 15 7 Designated Historic Assets 16 8 Key Undesignated Heritage Assets 20 9 Landmark Buildings 23 10 Views 24 11 Green Spaces and Biodiversity 26 12 Uses and Activities 29 13 Routes and Movement 30 14 Issues and Opportunities 31 15 Management Recommendations 32 Sources of Information Glossary of Architectural Terms Appendices Appendix 1 – Additional planning restrictions Appendix 2 – Amendments to the conservation area boundary 2 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Conservation areas are areas recognised for their special architectural or historic interest. Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 places a duty on Local Planning Authorities to determine which parts of their area are ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ and to designate them as conservation areas. Conservation areas are designated for their overall quality rather than just focussing on individual buildings. They are an amalgamation of the areas positive historic features, including the grouping of buildings; the spaces between buildings; materials, boundaries; views; routes; open spaces; and past and present land uses. These features combine to form the special interest worthy of conservation area status. Planning authorities have a duty to protect Conservation Areas from development which would harm their special historic or architectural character and this is reflected in the policies contained in the National Park’s Local Development Plan. The regular review of Conservation Areas can ensure that the designated area continues to demonstrate clear architectural and historic interest, and also establish whether boundaries need amendment; and identify potential measures for enhancing and protecting the Area. The Llangattock Conservation Area is one of five conservation areas within the Brecon Beacons and was designated in the early 1970s. Prior to this review, the conservation area covered Crickhowell and Llangattock. As a result of the review, each settlement has a conservation area in its own right. A conservation area appraisal will define the quality of an area and what justifies its status as a conservation area. A clear, comprehensive appraisal of its character also provides a sound basis for development control decisions and for developing initiatives to improve the area. It enables the development of a robust policy framework for the future management of the area, with which planning applications and other proposals for change can be considered. An appraisal can be an educational tool and also help to support applications for funding initiatives. Designation as a conservation area brings some additional controls and duties for the Planning Authority. Further information is provided in Appendix 1. 1.2 The Appraisal Process This review of the Llangattock Conservation Area: • Reviewed the existing conservation area boundary and assessed whether the boundary needed to be amended. • Considered how Crickhowell and Llangattock should be split into two conservation areas. • Identified those elements of Llangattock contributing to or detracting from the conservation area’s character or appearance. • Proposed measures to maintain or improve the positive character, local distinctiveness and sense of place of Llangattock. This appraisal document follows advice set out in TAN 24: The Historic Environment and the accompanying guidance ‘Managing Conservation Areas in Wales’. 3 1.3 Consultation A 12 week consultation for the draft appraisals for Crickhowell and Llangattock and proposed amendments to the conservation area boundaries commenced on 28th November 2019. The consultation included a Notice placed in the 28.11.2020 edition of the Brecon and Radnor Express; two public exhibitions; letters sent to statutory consultees and stakeholders; and letters sent to properties affected by the amendments to the conservation area boundary. Where possible, feedback from the consultation has been incorporated into the final version of the conservation area appraisal. 1.4 Review of the conservation area boundary A key outcome of the conservation area review is the division of the original conservation area. This means that Crickhowell and Llangattock each have their own conservation area, rather than sharing the boundary. Each settlement has its own distinctive characteristics which deserve to be considered in more detail. Splitting the conservation area allows more scope for the conservation area appraisal to provide a detailed assessment, tailored to each settlement’s characteristics. The review also identified additional changes to the boundary in Llangattock. The 1st Edition OS map shows the historic layout of the former Rectory and Llangattock Court and their enclosing landscape. The boundary has therefore been amended to include the attractive stone built Ty Gardd, the stabling to the rear of Llangattock Court on the northwestern edge of the village, and also more of the grounds to the rear of the Old Rectory Hotel which include the orchard. This amendment to the boundary provides a more accurate reflection of the special character at the conservation area’s core. The boundary has been amended to remove the bungalows on Park Drive from the conservation area. The bungalows were built during the latter half of the 20th century and although they have been in the conservation area since its designation, they are of a national house building style and do not reflect the locally distinctive characteristics of the village. Their removal from the conservation area was recommended so that its boundary is a more accurate reflection of the special character designation requires. A map of the changes to the conservation area boundary is provided in Appendix The amended conservation area boundary is shown on Figure 1. 1.5 The planning Policy Context There are several relevant planning documents that relate to Llangattock and its built environment: National planning policy is set out in Planning Policy Wales (PPW). PPW provides strategic planning guidance and Chapter 9: Conserving the Historic Environment which sets out the overarching policies for: listed buildings; conservation areas; historic parks and gardens; historic landscapes; Scheduled Ancient Monuments; and archaeological remains. Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015: the Act places a duty of well-being on public bodies. Properly protected and enhanced conservation areas can improve the quality of life and well- being for everyone. Cadw Best Practice Guidance: Managing Conservation Area in Wales (2017) sets out guidance on best practice to conservation area designation, appraisal and management. 4 Brecon Beacons National Park Local Development Plan – Adopted in December 2013. The plan sets out policies and proposals to guide development in the National Park from 2007 to 2022. The policy that relates to conservation areas is Policy 19. The Local Development Plan (LDP) identifies Llangattock as one of the ‘Limited Growth Settlements’ within the National Park. Policy LGS LP2 which applies to limited growth settlements requires that proposals for development contribute positively to their setting and enhance the quality of the landscape without adverse impact on the wildlife, natural beauty, cultural heritage, environmental assets or biodiversity of the area. The Brecon Beacons National Park Landscape Character Assessment 2012 identifies landscape types across the National Park and looks at the various components that contribute to the characteristics of each landscape type, including the built environment. Each Landscape Character Area profile includes a management strategy and recommended management guidelines to protect and strengthen its landscape character. For its review of Llangattock, The National Park Authority (NPA) has been fortunate in benefitting from work undertaken by the Community Council in 1997 when a ‘Village Design Statement’ was prepared, with help from the NPA and the former Countryside Commission for Wales. Its adoption has provided a local understanding of the area’s character and has been a successful basis for Supplementary Planning Guidance to promote and protect the character of the village in new development. 5 6 2. SUMMARY OF SPECIAL INTEREST • Llangattock is a historic village clustered around a substantial church of medieval origins. • The layout of its historic core has been influenced by the Nant Onneu brook whose wooded path winds past clusters of houses, gardens and service yards on its way to the river Usk. • A gentle but rising topography contributes to the character of the conservation area, particularly from aspects looking north. Here parkland, allotments and woodland frame and enhance views of the settlement. • Boundary walls and hedges are a key feature of the village. • The landscape surrounding the village is closely associated with a number of historic Gentry Houses
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