HACKFALL Conservation Area Character Appraisal approved 14 December 2011 Contents Page 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 2 2. Planning policy framework ............................................................................................ 2 3 Historic development and archaeology ......................................................................... 4 4 Location and landscape setting ..................................................................................... 5 5. Landscape character .................................................................................................... 6 6. The form and character of buildings ............................................................................ 15 7. Character area analysis ............................................................................................. 19 Map 1: conservation area boundary ............................................................................... 23 Map 2: Analysis and concepts ......................................................................................... 24 Map 3: Landscape analysis ............................................................................................. 25 Appendix A: 1 Management strategy .................................................................................................. 26 2 Monitoring and review ................................................................................................. 26 3 Maintaining quality ...................................................................................................... 26 4 conservation area boundary review ............................................................................ 26 5 The management of change ....................................................................................... 27 6 Opportunities for enhancement .................................................................................. 27 Appendix B: Public consultation ..................................................................................... 29 Appendix C: Further reading .......................................................................................... 30 This and other Planning documents are or will be made available in large copy print, audiocassette, Braille or languages other than English. If you require the document in one of these formats, please contact us (tel. 01423 556586 or email [email protected] ) p. b Hackfall Conservation Area Character Appraisal - approved 14 December 2011 1 Introduction 1.1 conservation area Appraisals aim to define The Appraisal will help us understand whether opportunities exist to protect and and analyse the special interest which the impact that development proposals enhance its character. constitutes the character and appearance would have on the Conservation Area of a place. It is these qualities which and whether these are acceptable and/or 1.6 By identifying what makes Hackfall warrant the designation of a Conservation appropriate. special or distinctive it is suggested that Area. This Appraisal was approved any future change, whether to individual by the Cabinet Member for Planning, 1.4 The assessment of the area’s special buildings, features or the area as a whole, Transport and Economic Development architectural or historic interest is based will be based on this understanding of on 14 December 2011 and forms an on a careful and objective analysis of the past and the present character of the “evidence base” for the Local Development the area, using a method of analysis settlement. In this way, we can manage Framework (LDF). Consequently, it is a recommended by English Heritage. future change to ensure it makes a posi- material consideration when determining Various qualities are reviewed including: tive contribution towards preserving applications for development, considering historical development, building materials, or enhancing its special character. planning appeals or proposing works and relationships between buildings for the preservation or enhancement of and open spaces. Appraisals aim to be the area. It also forms the basis for a comprehensive but the omission of any subsequent management strategy, which particular building, feature or space will contain proposals and policies for should not be taken to imply that the conservation and enhancement it is of no interest. of the area. 1.5 Hackfall Conservation Area was originally 1.2 The Appraisal provides information and designated in April 1993 and was guidance to those wishing to carry out amended on 14 December 2011. This works in the Conservation Area whether Appraisal aims to describe Hackfall as it or not they require planning approval. is today and identify the special character So, it is a useful source of information and distinctiveness of its setting, buildings for property owners, applicants or their and open spaces. Having identified those agents, and members of the public who special qualities, the Appraisal examines enjoy the area. 1.3 The main function of the Conservation Area Appraisal is to ensure that any works in the Conservation Area have regard to the special qualities of the area and to devise a strategy to protect these qualities. Hackfall Conservation Area Character Appraisal - approved 14 December 2011 p. 1 2 Planning policy framework Objectives 2.1 Local authorities have a duty to designate of a conservation area and, therefore, The principal objectives of the “areas of special architectural or historic whether it is contrary to saved Local Plan Appraisal are: interest, the character or appearance Policy HD3 (which is the key policy for the of which it is desirable to preserve or control of development in Conservation to define and record the enhance” as Conservation Areas under Areas). The scope of Policy HD3 also special character and section 69 of the Planning (Listed covers development proposals outside a interest of the area;· Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act conservation area which would affect its 1990. The same Act also requires local setting or views into or out of to raise public awareness planning authorities periodically to review the Conservation Area. of the aims and objectives Conservation Areas. of the Conservation Area 2.4 Hackfall is in the Nidderdale Area of 2.2 Government guidance on all development Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). designation and stimulate affecting Conservation Areas is set out in In 1994, in recognition of the quality of involvement in the Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for its landscape the former Countryside protection of its character; the Historic Environment (PPS5) and the Commission designated the Nidderdale to identify what is worthy accompanying PPS5 Historic Environment AONB. Saved Policy C1 from the of preservation to aid Planning Practice Guide. The Practice Harrogate District Local Plan, provides that Guide advises local authorities to compile priority will be given to the conservation of understanding; conservation area character appraisals as the natural beauty of the landscape and to assess the action that a means of gaining a better understanding any development should reflect the local may be necessary to of the significance of their conservation distinctiveness of the area. safeguard this special areas. PPS5 advises that these character 2.5 The Nidderdale AONB Management interest; and appraisals should in turn be consulted in determining planning applications which Plan (2009-14) is a spatial strategy that to identify opportunities for affect conservation areas or their setting. addresses the need to manage change. enhancement. The Nidderdale AONB Heritage Strategy, 2.3 In determining planning applications for approved April 2009, identifies the development within conservation areas objectives, policies and actions required and applications for conservation area for the sustainable management of consent, the council will give considerable heritage in the AONB. weight to the content of conservation area character appraisals. The consideration 2.6 Hackfall is a Grade I Registered Historic of proposals in the context of the desc- Park and Garden, this designation ription contained in these appraisals recognises its exceptional interest. will be an important factor in deciding Historic parks and gardens constitute whether a proposal has an adverse an important part of England’s cultural affect on the character and appearance heritage. The purpose of the register is p. 2 Hackfall Conservation Area Character Appraisal - approved 14 December 2011 to identify important historic parks and 2.8 Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9) 2.12 Involving the community and raising gardens to increase public awareness of states that Sites of Special Scientific public awareness is an integral part of them and to encourage their protection Interest should be given a high degree the appraisal process and needs to be and preservation. Inclusion on the register of protection under the planning system. approached in a pro-active and innovative does not provide statutory protection, but is PPS9 also states that local planning way. Community involvement helps to nevertheless a material consideration and authorities should not grant planning bring valuable public understanding and Saved Local Plan Policy HD7A states