Matching Green Conservation Area
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Matching Green Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan March 2007 Planning Services Matching Green Conservation Area Character Appraisal March 2007 Contents 1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………3 1.1 Definition and purpose of conservation areas ..................................... 3 1.2 Purpose, scope and nature of character appraisals ............................ 3 1.3 Extent of the conservation area........................................................... 3 1.4 Methodology........................................................................................ 3 2. Planning Policy Context....................................................................... 4 2.1 Local plan policies ............................................................................... 4 3. Summary of Special Interest................................................................ 5 3.1 Definition of special architectural and historic interest ......................... 5 3.2 Definition of the character of Matching Green Conservation Area....... 5 4. Location and Population...................................................................... 6 5. Topography and Setting....................................................................... 7 6. Historical Development and Archaeology .......................................... 8 6.1 Origins and development..................................................................... 8 6.2 Archaeology....................................................................................... 10 7. Character Analysis ............................................................................. 12 7.1 General character and plan form....................................................... 12 7.2 Key views .......................................................................................... 12 7.3 Sub-areas.......................................................................................... 13 7.4 Buildings of architectural and historic interest.................................... 15 7.5 Traditional building materials............................................................. 18 7.6 Contribution made by trees, hedges and green spaces .................... 20 7.7 Activity and movement ...................................................................... 21 8 Opportunities for Enhancement ........................................................ 22 8.1 Physical condition.............................................................................. 22 8.2 Public areas....................................................................................... 22 8.3 The village green .........................................................................................23 8.4 Specific buildings.........................................................................................24 8.5 Interpretation ..................................................................................... 24 8.6 Threats to the character of the conservation area ............................. 24 8.7 Capacity for change........................................................................... 25 Epping Forest District Council - Planning Services 1 Matching Green Conservation Area Character Appraisal March 2007 9. Conservation Area Boundary ........................................................... 25 9.1 Current conservation area boundary…………………….………………25 9.2 Section that could be included in the conservation area.................... 25 10. Community Involvement ................................................................... 26 10.1 Involving local people ........................................................................ 26 10.2 Timetable........................................................................................... 26 11. General Guidance ............................................................................... 27 11.1 Topography and setting..................................................................... 27 11.2 Architecture and building details........................................................ 27 11.3 Traditional building materials............................................................. 27 11.4 Trees and open spaces ..................................................................... 27 11.5 Design of signs.................................................................................. 27 11.6 Environmental quality ........................................................................ 27 11.7 New development.............................................................................. 27 11.8 Activity and uses................................................................................ 27 11.9 Renewable energy............................................................................. 27 12. Management Plan .............................................................................. 29 12.1 Retention and enhancement of historic fabric.................................... 29 12.2 Preservation of trees, hedges and green spaces .............................. 29 12.3 Improvement of public areas ............................................................. 29 12.4 Review............................................................................................... 29 12.5 How residents and other property owners can help........................... 30 12.6 Management plan.............................................................................. 31 13. Bibliography..................................................................................... 312 Appendix 1. List Descriptions .................................................................... 33 Appendix 2. Relevant National Legislation and Local Plan Policies....... 38 Appendix 3. Townscape Analysis ............................................................... 40 Appendix 4. Glossary of Terms.................................................................. 44 Appendix 5. Map Showing the Results of the Botanical Survey of the Village Green (May 2006)…………………………………………………………………..46 Epping Forest District Council - Planning Services 2 Matching Green Conservation Area Character Appraisal March 2007 1. Introduction • Increase public awareness of the aims 1.1 Definition and purpose of of conservation area designation and Conservation Areas encourage community involvement in the protection of the character of the A conservation area is an “area of special area; and architectural or historic interest, the character or • Identify measures that need to be taken appearance of which it is desirable to preserve to preserve the character and or enhance” (Section 69 of the Planning [Listed appearance of the conservation area Buildings and Conservation Areas] Act 1990). A and put forward proposals for its conservation area may be, for example, the enhancement. historic centre of a town or village, an older unspoilt residential area, or an important country It is hoped that this document will provide a house in large landscaped grounds. management framework to control and guide change in Matching Green Conservation Area The designation of a conservation area and that it will form a basis for other planning introduces special controls, including the decisions that affect the area. requirement of consent from the Council to demolish any building or part of a building or to It is, however, not intended to be carry out works on unprotected trees. These comprehensive in its content and failure to restrictions aim to ensure that the special mention any particular building, feature or space architectural or historic interest of an area is does not imply that these are of no interest. retained for future generations and that the overall environmental quality of the area is 1.3 Extent of the Conservation Area maintained to a high standard for the benefit of residents, local businesses and visitors alike. Matching Green Conservation Area, which was first designated in 1977, is a rural settlement 1.2 Purpose, scope and nature of based around a large triangular green. The character appraisals precise conservation area boundaries are illustrated in Map 1. Following conservation area designation, councils also have a statutory duty to formulate 1.4 Methodology and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of their conservation areas, and This appraisal was compiled between August to consult the local community about these 2006 and February 2007. As part of the proposals. A conservation area appraisal is character appraisal, the conservation area was partly intended to fulfill this obligation. Its main surveyed and photographed in detail, historic aims are to: maps were consulted and documentary research was carried out. This draft version of • Define the special architectural and the appraisal was put out to public consultation historic interest of a conservation area; between November 2006 and January 2007 to • Review current conservation area allow the comments and suggestions of local boundaries, so that that they reflect residents and businesses to be incorporated what is considered to be of special into the final version. interest; Epping Forest District Council - Planning Services 3 Matching Green Conservation Area Character Appraisal March 2007 2. Planning Policy Context 2.1 Local Plan Policies reviewed. Alterations were adopted in July 2006, Conservation areas were first introduced by the although policies concerning conservation areas Civic Amenities Act of 1967. National guidelines have not been changed.