proposal for a buffer zone for the world heritage site of studley … · studley royal, including...

Studley Royal, including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey, Buffer Zone submission Dec 2011 1

Proposal for a Buffer Zone for the World Heritage Site of Studley Royal Park including

the ruins of Fountains Abbey

Submission to the World Heritage Centre February 2012


PROPOSAL FOR A BUFFER ZONE FOR THE WORLD HERITAGE SITE OF STUDLEY ROYAL PARK INCLUDING THE RUINS OF FOUNTAINS ABBEY - SUBMISSION TO THE WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE FEBRUARY 2012 Prepared by the National Trust and English Heritage December 2011 Introduction Although the area within the boundary of the World Heritage Site is unlikely to be subject to development proposals which adversely impact upon its outstanding universal value (due to the fact that it is wholly managed by the National Trust), outside the designated World Heritage Site there are a number of developments which could, potentially, threaten its outstanding universal value. For example large scale or poorly sited renewable energy schemes, large-scale agricultural developments, and inappropriately sited buildings could harm its setting or key views into and out of the designated area. Since 2001 there has been a proposal in the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site Management Plan to establish a buffer zone for Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site. The requirement for a buffer zone was again raised in the Periodic Monitoring Report 2006. The Periodic Monitoring Report stated that the boundaries of the site were inadequate and there was a need to define a formal buffer zone. It stated ‘Although the World Heritage Site boundary covers the core area of the designed landscape, some significant features lie outside. There is a need to review the boundary to ensure that it includes those areas that are essential to retain the site’s outstanding universal value. There is also a need to develop a formal buffer zone.’ This submission proposes the establishment of a buffer zone around the World Heritage Site and sets out how the buffer zone will contribute to the maintenance of the outstanding universal value of the site, the legal protection for the buffer zone and the implications for management of the site. Revisions to the boundary of the World Heritage Site will be considered as part of the review of the World Heritage Site Management Plan in 2014. This will allow full consultation with relevant landowners and stakeholders. 1. Area of the Property Area of the inscribed World Heritage Site 309 ha Area of the proposed buffer zone 1622 ha Total area 1931 ha


2. Description of the Buffer Zone The buffer zone covers the immediate setting of the World Heritage Site and the key vista from the main deer park avenue east to Ripon Cathedral and beyond to Blois Hall Farm. Detailed maps of the World Heritage Site boundary (Map 1) and the proposed buffer zone (Map 2) are included in Section 7 of this submission. The proposed buffer zone aims to: (i) Protect the visual setting of the monastic precinct and the Aislabies’ designed

landscape at Studley Royal. (ii) Respect the integrity of the Aislabies’ designed landscape including the visual

setting (contrasting with the agrarian setting) where this was visible from within the bounds of the designed landscape.

(iii) Protect the views and vistas which were key to the Aislabies’ design. In producing a candidate boundary the following principles were adopted: a) Both of the key historic entities – the Cistercian abbey of St Mary of Fountains, and the Aislabie family’s Studley Royal Estate – held enormous landed estates beyond (but often adjoining) the World Heritage Site, frequently containing significant archaeological remains. The World Heritage Site inscription is most directly concerned with the Aislabies’ designed landscape and the enclosed precinct of Fountains Abbey. The buffer zone therefore includes outlying parts of the designed landscape and precinct (and their visual settings) where these had not been included in the World Heritage Site boundary.


Figure 1 – Key features outside the World Heritage Site Boundary (Source: World Heritage Site Management Plan 2009-2014)


b) The buffer zone also primarily aims to protect the visual setting of the designated World Heritage Site. c) A third issue affecting the proposed buffer zone boundary arose from understanding of visual envelopes. In general, the visual envelope is very tightly drawn with three significant exceptions. The first of these is the narrow, but critical, vista line from the main deer park avenue east to Ripon Cathedral and then beyond to Blois Hall Farm, crossing the city of Ripon. This is included within the proposed buffer zone. The second and third exceptions arise from the wide-sweep external vistas, obtained from the eastern side of the park, especially Gillet Hill, over the Vale of York to the North York Moors beyond, and from the summit of How Hill stretching to Selby and beyond. These views were key to the Aislabie design, but extend over areas too large to be contained within a buffer zone boundary. Their significance will be recognised elsewhere in the planning system. The buffer zone does not seek specifically to include all the archaeological features associated with Fountains Abbey, although one section of the boundary is affected by protected archaeology associated with the abbey. The following is a detailed description of the proposed buffer zone boundary. Key places referred to in the following description are shown on Map 3. i) Galphay Bridge to Lime Kiln Wood The northern extent of the boundary, at Galphay Mill Bridge, marks the point where the Aislabie route to Hackfall left the environs of Studley Royal. Historically, the estate owned Galphay Mill on the other side of the river; this is not recorded as a Picturesque detail in any surviving account, but may have functioned as such. The line initially follows the Studley Roger Parish boundary and road for administrative convenience, although its line also marks the limits of viewshed up the significant vista through Lindrick (framed, from within the park, by the Lindrick Gate). It then continues to follow the parish boundary along the slope crest marking the viewshed of the park to the north, running east to include Lime Kiln Wood. The planting of this wood today forms a valued component of the visual envelope, although it seems to be a post-1850 planting.


Figure 2 - The vista through Lindrick framed, from within the Park, by Lindrick Gate ii) “Duck House” The boundary next follows the B6265 to Bishopton bridge before turning SE to Mill Farm and continuing up the Skell to Hell Wath. This section effectively encloses the eastern side of the Duck House landholding. Historically this was owned and managed by the Studley Royal estate, but relatively little else is currently known of its developmental history, which probably owes more to its nineteenth century owners than it does to John and William Aislabie. By the 1830s, the estate’s owner had a private drive from the park entrance to Bishopton Bridge through this land (marked today by lodge buildings). Its primary significance to the buffer zone today, though, is visual. This area formed the foreground of the designed views out of the park, seen along the main vista and Oak Avenue, as well as from the Belvedere on Gillet Hill, and more generally from the eastern park over the ha-ha’d section of park wall. Its character has been significantly affected (adversely as far as the original design is concerned) by tree planting in recent years.

Figure 3 - Spectacular views from Gillet Hill to Ripon Cathedral and the North York Moors beyond


Figure 4 - View along the Oak Avenue in the Deer Park focusing on Ripon Cathedral

Figure 5 - New tree planting in the proposed buffer zone between the Oak Avenue and Ripon Cathedral


The river forms a sensible boundary here as the limit of Aislabie designed landscape work. Modern development and riverside planting limit significance further to the east or north, with the exception of the vista through to the Ripon Cathedral. iii) Hell Wath to Mackershaw Trough The boundary follows the side of the Skell valley to join and follow Whitcliffe lane southwards. This takes in the banks of the Skell, which were part of the Aislabie design, with walks through at least as far downstream as Marl White Wood. Whitcliffe Lane marks the visual envelope as seen from inside the property (except from the summit of Gillet Hill) in this direction. The main route through Mackershaw Trough exited the estate onto the lane (providing potential access to Ripon) and it also marked the southern limit of woodland planting at Mackershaw, indicating that it was an original boundary to the designed landscape at this point.

Figure 6 - View of the Seven Bridges Valley and Chinese Wood, probably Balthasar Nebot in the c. 1750s showing paths along the Skell Valley. iv) Mackershaw Trough to How Hill In this section, Whitcliffe Lane marks both the limit of the viewshed into and out of the World Heritage Site and a clear landscape feature to form the southern limit of the buffer zone. The lane bisects the well documented agrarian holding of the abbey, but this was not a material consideration for present purposes. For part of this section the designed landscape had a clear boundary further to the north in the form of the park wall at Mackershaw, but even this benefited from the backing of the woodland between it and the lane. To the west of this point, the agrarian fields themselves formed the backdrop to views out of the Skell Valley.


v) How Hill and Fountains Park The boundary follows field margins around the skirt of How Hill, which can now be clearly seen as an outlying element of the Aislabie designed landscape. Since 1986 it has been discovered that the Tower originated as the first building of the Water Gardens (predating any others by around a decade) operating as an eyecatcher for the vista line along the main canal. While the whole of the hill’s enclosure was managed as the setting for this building, it does not appear to have been linked to the main gardens by designed landscape, the contrast offered by intervening agrarian usage clearly being part of the intended aesthetic effect. The physical mass of the hill forms the south-western limit of the main viewshed. To the south-west of How Hill, the boundary follows the outline of the Scheduled Ancient Monument of the wall of the abbey’s hunting ground of Fountains Park. There are views into this area from within the main World Heritage Site, and it is this rather than the administrative lead of the protected archaeology that suggests this boundary.

Figure 7 - How Hill tower


Figure 8 - View of Lake and Water Gardens along the canal with How Hill in the background, Balthasar Nebot, c.1750s

Figure 9 - Aerial photo of How Hill tower and surroundings


Figure 10 - Looking to the east from How Hill towards Whitcliffe Lane which forms the southern boundary of the buffer zone.

Figure 11 - View of Huby’s Tower and St Mary’s Church steeple looking north from How Hill


vi) Spa Gill From Fountains Park, the boundary turns north-west to follow the southern crest of Spa Gill. The boundary both follows the visual envelope of the core areas of the World Heritage Site and also the edge of a short lived but significant extension of the designed landscape along Spa Gill. Only part of the valley fell into Aislabie hands, the rest belonging to Lord Grantham, though pleasant rides through the whole were apparently possible.

Figure 12 - View looking to the west showing Spa Gill woods


Figure 13 - View along Spa Gill vii) Horsley Gate to the River Laver This section of boundary follows a stream course and present woodland boundaries to connect with section viii). The buffer zone was extended beyond the visual envelope in this area to completely include Aldfield Parish and follows the parish boundary. This approach follows ICOMOS guidance that advises buffer zones fit in with existing designations or clear physical boundaries. viii) Ings Bridge to Galphay Bridge This section follows the river Laver at the foot of the steep north-west facing valley side of the river. This line extends outside the visual envelope of the core property, as research has shown that William Aislabie managed the wooded slopes at Laver Banks as a third section of designed landscape, on the route from Studley Royal to Hackfall. The Jeffery’s map of 1775 shows woodland dissected by meandering paths on the east bank of the Laver, while another source mentions a timber bridge, possibly either Ings or Galphay, but more likely a private one, between the two. In reality the designed landscape here would have integrally included the views north and west out into the agrarian landscape, but given how little is known about the details of the design, it is impossible to put a western boundary on the relevant viewshed, the river itself being the more justifiable boundary.


Figure 14 - Thomas Jeffery, Map of Yorkshire, detail showing Studley Royal, 1775 viiii) The buffer zone includes the crucial vista from the deer park to Ripon Cathedral and on to Blois Hall Farm. The vista was part of the early landscape phase of the deer park at the end of the 17th century. Framed by Studley Gate and a formal lime avenue, the vista extends outside the boundary to Ripon Cathedral and then beyond to Blois Hall Farm. Protection of this view is critical to the protection of the outstanding universal value of the site.


Figure 15 - View to the east down the deer park avenue with Studley Gate and Ripon Cathedral

Figure 16 - 18th century painting (possibly by Balthasar Nebot) of the Lime Avenue with view of Ripon Cathedral


3. Justification for the Buffer Zone The establishment of a buffer zone together with an appropriate policy framework within the Harrogate Local Development Framework (LDF) will help ensure that planning decisions around the World Heritage Site fully consider the potential impact which they might have upon those elements which contribute to the site’s outstanding universal value. By this means it helps to ensure that important views and vistas and the wider setting of the World Heritage Site are appropriately managed. It should also be noted that the buffer zone does not represent, in spatial terms, the “setting” of the World Heritage Site. Whilst there may be some coincidence between the boundary of the buffer zone and certain areas which contribute to its setting, as the English Heritage Guidance Note The Protection and Management of World Heritage Sites in England points out, the setting of most World Heritage Sites will be substantially larger than the area encompassed within its buffer zone. The advantages of identifying a buffer zone are:- a) A buffer zone provides the basis for the formal adoption of policies to protect the

visual integrity of the site and also to protect outlying portions of the designed landscape and other features associated with Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey.

b) For Planning Officers making decisions on planning applications, it provides a

simple visual indication of the areas where the impact of new development upon the World Heritage Site may be an issue.

c) For those preparing planning policy documents, it will help identify where sites

which are being put forward for development may impact upon the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site.

d) For developers, it will help them develop proposals and suggest mitigation

measures which minimise the adverse impact upon the World Heritage Site e) For neighbouring landowners and communities it provides opportunity for

partnership working to manage the area and develop projects to conserve the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site.

The identification of a buffer zone helps to provide increased “certainty” for those involved in managing change in the areas around the World Heritage Site. 4. Contribution to the maintenance of the Outstanding Universal Value The proposed buffer zone will make an important contribution to maintenance of the outstanding universal value of the property as set out in the Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value. Through policies included in Harrogate Borough Council’s spatial plans, the Local Development Framework and associated documents, the buffer zone will specifically:- 1. Ensure the protection of views and vistas from within the World Heritage Site to

the surrounding area, which were an important element of the Aislabies’ design and therefore the site’s outstanding universal value. Through inclusion in the buffer zone, these views and vistas will be protected from developments which


may obstruct, intrude on or detract from them. These include views from locations within the site including from Gillet Hill east to Ripon and the Moors, from How Hill to the surrounding countryside and the key designed vista down the deer park avenue to Ripon Cathedral and beyond to Blois Hall Farm. The significant views are shown on the map below which is taken from the World Heritage Site Management Plan 2009-2014.

Figure 17 – Map of significant views taken from the World Heritage Site Management Plan 2009-2014


2. Ensure consideration is given in planning decisions to outlying elements of the Aislabies designed landscape not currently within the World Heritage Site but within the proposed buffer zone. These important elements of the designed landscape lie outside the World Heritage Site boundary and may be vulnerable to change. The buffer zone would therefore protect the integrity of the wider historic estate. These areas include Spa Gill Woods, Chinese Wood, How Hill tower and Laver Bank. The significance of each of these sites to the 18th century designed landscape, a key element of the site’s outstanding universal value, is set out in the detailed description in section 2.

3. Ensure that large and inappropriately sited developments do not impact

negatively on the visual setting of the site, in particular the surrounding agrarian landscape which was an important aspect of the Aislabies’ design and therefore the outstanding universal value of the site.

Figure 18 - Aerial view with the Fountains Abbey in the foreground showing the agrarian landscape providing a setting to the designed landscape 5. Implications for legal protection The UK Government protects World Heritage Sites and their buffer zones in two ways. Firstly individual buildings, monuments, gardens and landscapes are designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act and secondly through the UK Spatial Planning system under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The buffer zone is protected from inappropriate development by several statutory and non-statutory designations and will be given important additional consideration in planning decisions through the developing planning policies in the Harrogate Borough Council Local Development Framework. National Planning Policy


National Planning Policy Framework The UK Government is currently reviewing national planning guidance. At present national planning policy is set out in a series of government planning policy statements, guidance and circulars. Collectively this national policy framework seeks to ensure that planning facilitates and promotes sustainable, balanced and inclusive patterns of development that deliver active economic growth, improved social well being and robust protection of the environment. The government have decided to replace over 3000 pages of national planning guidance with one document of 52 pages. This National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will in future be the basic national guidance on the government’s approach to spatial planning. Consultation on the draft NPPF finished last October so that its final form is not yet known. The NPPF will replace PPS5, currently the principal guidance on the protection of the historic environment in England. The government have stated that protection of the historic environment will not be weakened by the NPPF. There are specific references to World Heritage properties. The document says that ‘Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, notably scheduled monuments, protected wreck sites, battlefields, grade I and II* listed buildings, grade I and II* registered parks and gardens, and World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional’ (paragraph 183). It also urges local authorities to ‘look for opportunities to enhance or better reveal the significance…. World Heritage Sites’ (paragraph 188), and makes clear that World Heritage properties are designated heritage assets. PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment (2010) PPS5 sets out planning policies on the conservation of the historic environment consistent with the UK’s obligations as signatory to the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Guidance to help practitioners to implement this is provided by the PPS5 Practice Guide. This carries governmental weight and is a material consideration in planning terms. The following policies recognise the importance of World Heritage Sites: POLICY HE3: REGIONAL AND LOCAL PLANNING APPROACHES HE3.3 ‘Some individual heritage assets such as World Heritage Sites are likely to have regional significance in plan-making’. POLICY HE9: ADDITIONAL POLICY PRINCIPLES GUIDING THE CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR CONSENT RELATING TO DESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSETS HE9.1 ‘There should be a presumption in favour of conservation of designated heritage assets and the more significant the designated heritage asset, the greater the presumption in favour of its conservation should be. Once lost, heritage assets cannot be replaced and their loss has a cultural, environmental, economic and social impact. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. Loss affecting any designated heritage asset should require clear and convincing justification. Substantial harm to or loss of a grade II listed building, park and garden should be exceptional. Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, including scheduled monuments, protected wreck sites, battlefields, grade I and II* listed buildings and grade I and II* registered parks and gardens, World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional.’


Planning Circular 07/09: Protection of World Heritage Sites (July 2009) This circular published jointly the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Department for Cultural, Media and Sport, provides updated guidance on the protection and management of World Heritage Sites. It is supported by the English Heritage Guidance Note on the Protection of World Heritage Sites. The Circular makes clear the need for the protection of Outstanding Universal Value, authenticity and integrity of World Heritage Sites in England, to be achieved through local planning policies and decisions on individual planning proposals. The Circular emphasises the need to protect the setting of World Heritage Sites as well as the Properties themselves. It defines the setting as ‘the area around it (including the buffer zone as defined below) in which change or development is capable of having an adverse impact on the World Heritage Site, including an impact on views to or from the Site.’ Local Planning Policies Harrogate Borough Council Local Development Framework The National Trust and English Heritage, as site managers, have been working closely with Harrogate Borough Council, the Local Planning Authority, to ensure policies are adopted in the statutory planning framework for the district which gives the buffer zone, and therefore the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site itself, a level of protection. The Local Development Framework for Harrogate District comprises the adopted Core Strategy and the draft Sites and Policies Development Plan Document. Harrogate District Core Strategy 2009 The Core Strategy was adopted by Harrogate Borough Council in February 2009. This is the key document within the Local Development Framework and set out the direction and strategy for development and conservation in the district up to 2021 and 2023 for housing. The Core Strategy includes Policy EQ2 which sets out the strategic policy for protecting the Natural and Built Environment which includes World Heritage Sites. The policy is as follows: POLICY EQ2: THE NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND GREEN BELT The District’s exceptionally high quality natural and built environment will be given a level of protection appropriate to its international, national and local importance. In addition, more detailed protection and where appropriate enhancement measures will be applied through the Development Control Policies Development Plan Document, relevant management plans and by working in partnership with landowners and interested parties. Subject to the District’s need to plan for new Greenfield development, the landscape character of the whole District will be protected and where appropriate enhanced. The extent and detailed boundaries of the West Yorkshire and York Green Belts in the District will not be changed. Where criteria based planning policies cannot provide the necessary protection, local


landscape designations will be identified: • To protect the high quality of the landscape which is important to the setting of

the towns of Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon; • To protect those ‘green wedges’ in Harrogate town which are an important part of

its character and distinctiveness; • To protect appropriate green space within the main built up areas of Group A, B,

and C settlements listed in Policy SG2 of this Core Strategy. Priority measures to protect and enhance the District’s natural and built environment are to: • Increase wildlife habitats and species in accordance with the District’s

Biodiversity Action Plan; • Review and update the Council’s local Sites of Importance for Nature

Conservation; • Improve the condition of the District’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest; • Carry out appraisals of the District’s Conservation Areas incorporating measures

for the protection and enhancement of their special interest; • Reduce the number of ‘Buildings at Risk’; and • Ensure that new development incorporates high quality locally distinctive design. Harrogate District Draft Sites and Policies Development Plan Document with Proposals Map 2011 The Harrogate District Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) identifies site allocations and policies to manage development for the district up to 2021 and 2023 for housing. The buffer zone will be made effective because policies for its protection are included in the draft DPD. The proposed buffer zone boundary is also shown on the Proposals Map which forms a key element of the DPD. The buffer zone boundary shown in the DPD does not include the vista to Blois Hall Farm. A copy of the Plan including the Proposals Map is enclosed. The policy is as follows: POLICY EQ4: DESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSETS Proposals for development should protect and where possible enhance the significance, integrity, character and appearance of the following designated heritage assets and their setting: EQ4a: Studley Royal Park, including the ruins of Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site EQ4b: Studley Royal Park, including the ruins of Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site Buffer Zone EQ4c: Conservation Areas EQ4d: Historic Parks and Gardens EQ4e: Historic Battlefields EQ4f: Scheduled Ancient Monuments Listed Buildings The justification to the policy states that ‘new development within the WHS or affecting its setting should incorporate the highest standard of landscape and architectural design. There will be a strong presumption against tall or very large buildings within the WHS or its visual setting’ (para 6.17). It also states that ‘development within the buffer zone that would adversely affect the significance of


the WHS, and particularly affecting key views, will be allowed only in exceptional circumstances’ (para 6.18). The DPD went out to public consultation in September 2011 for 8 weeks. The public consultation was led by Harrogate Borough Council. A Statement of Consultation is enclosed. There were no objections to the buffer zone and three representations of support from English Heritage, the National Trust and Ripon Civic Society. These organisations asked for the buffer zone to be amended to include the vista from the Deer Park Avenue to Ripon Cathedral and beyond to Blois Hall Farm. In response to these comments Harrogate Borough Council are proposing to amend the boundary to include the vista to Blois Hall Farm within the buffer zone. They will be consulting on this amendment in spring 2012. Harrogate Borough Council is intending to hold the Public Examination on the Development Plan Document in August 2012 and looking at adoption of the Plan in 2013. However, the proposed buffer zone is already given weight in planning decisions through its inclusion in the Draft Development Plan Document. Harrogate District Local Plan – Saved Policy Version September 2007 While the Local Development Framework is being developed a number of policies are still in place from the Harrogate District Local Plan 2001. These include the policy for World Heritage Sites which is as follows: Policy HD7 – World Heritage Site Development within the World Heritage Site of Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey will only be permitted in very exceptional circumstances where there is no adverse effect on the cultural, natural and man made interest which led to the site’s designation and either:

A. It is required to enhance the interpretation of the site’s cultural, natural and man-made interest for visitors; or

B. It is essential for the management of the site or of visitors to the site. The Council will encourage appropriate conservation and restoration measures. The setting and views of the site are protected by policies C2 and HD7A of this Plan and will be afforded the strictest protection. Statutory Designations There are a range of statutory designations on landscapes and historic features within the buffer zone which offer these areas and elements statutory protection. These are shown on Map 4. Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty The inscribed World Heritage Site and the western and southern areas of the buffer zone lie within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. The landscapes and scenic qualities of AONBs share the highest level of protection with National Parks; the Countryside and Rights of Way Act of 2000 imposes a duty care on all organisations whose activities have an impact on AONBs to maintain natural beauty. The area of the buffer zone which lies within the AONB has a higher level of protection in terms of its landscape qualities than the area directly to the


north of the World Heritage Site and between the site and Ripon which are outside the AONB. Registered Park and Garden Parks and gardens of national importance are listed in the English Heritage Register of Park and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey is Grade 1. The boundary of the Registered Park and Garden extends beyond the inscribed World Heritage Site and into the buffer zone to include Lindrick Avenue, Chinese Woods, Wheatbrigs House and the route extending east from the site to Bishopton Bridge in Ripon. Listed Buildings A range of buildings and structures in the buffer zone are listed under the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act 1990 as buildings of special architectural and historic interest. These include important buildings associated with the Aislabies landscape including Wheatbrigs House, Rough House and How Hill Tower. Scheduled Ancient Monuments There are a number of Scheduled Ancient Monuments within the buffer zone, principally relating to the monastic complex of Fountains Abbey. These sites are protected by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Action 1979. Most of the scheduled sites lie in the south eastern area of the buffer zone. Conservation Areas Local Authorities have a duty to designate ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ as conservation areas under section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. There is one Conservation Area within the buffer zone which covers the historic village of Studley Royal. 6. Implications for management arrangements Land Ownership The National Trust purchased the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Estate (674 acres) from North Yorkshire County Council in 1983. Since then the National Trust has extended its holding, acquiring How Hill, a major feature of the Aislabie estate. How Hill lies outside the inscribed World Heritage Site but within the proposed buffer zone. The buffer zone is largely agricultural land and almost wholly in private ownership. It includes the small villages of Aldfield and Studley Roger. The National Trust owns 6 houses in Studley Roger and 1 in Aldfield. Most the dwellings within the buffer zone are in private ownership. There are a number of large landowners who manage the land in the buffer zone. The adjoining landowners are all part of the World Heritage Site Management Plan Consultative Group and were key stakeholders in development of the Plan which includes the buffer zone proposal. World Heritage Site Management Plan 2009-2014 The World Heritage Site Management Plan includes clear objectives and actions for adopting a buffer zone around the inscribed World Heritage Site. The Plan recognised that the setting of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal extends beyond the boundary of the World Heritage Site and incorporates a number of vistas which


need to be protected, most notably the borrowed view of Ripon Cathedral which can be seen from St Mary’s Church. It also recognised the impact of development on hydrology and water courses which form such a strong feature of the estate. Any development upstream likely to affect the water course would also impact on the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site. It recognised that the peaceful rural setting surrounding the World Heritage Site is an important aspect of its character and an ongoing priority is to maintain this by continuing to work with neighbouring landowners and partner organisations. Excerpt from the World Heritage Site Management Plan 2009-2014 Issue 4: Protecting the setting and ensuring that the WHS boundary is adequate Ensuring the setting of the WHS is protected continues to be a high priority and an ongoing issue. At present, a buffer zone* has been proposed but has not been adopted by Harrogate Borough Council. The adoption of the buffer zone* is being pursued by the National Trust and English Heritage to ensure the long-term protection of the landscape features that are outside of the World Heritage Site boundary. This buffer zone*, when adopted, will strengthen the statutory and non-statutory protections that are currently afforded to the site. Long-term Objective E: Ensure the boundaries of the WHS include the area that give the site its universal significance*, establish a buffer zone* to protect the WHS overall and protect the landscape setting. 6 year key actions: E1 Ensure the WHS and its universal significance* is protected through the Local Development Framework* E2 Establish a buffer zone* in the Local Development Framework* and clarify the WHS boundary E3 Continue to foster good relationships with the planning authorities and neighbouring landowners E4 Ensure the National Trust and English Heritage are consulted on planning applications within the buffer zone* E5 Maintain the balance between requirements of the designed landscape and other conservation practice. The World Heritage Site Steering Group recently published a newsletter for stakeholders and local communities setting out some of the recent projects in the World Heritage Site which included an article on the buffer zone and the implications for landowners and developers. A copy was sent to all stakeholders, including the major landowners and local parish councils. The buffer zone will provide opportunities for joint working with surrounding landowners to encourage management of the areas in a way which would conserve and enhance the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site itself. Positive management of the buffer zone plays a key role in enhancing outstanding universal value as some agricultural developments and tree planting, which can have significant impacts on the outstanding universal value of the site, fall outside the control of the planning system. The buffer zone also provides opportunities to work with surrounding landowners and local communities to develop projects to conserve and enhance those areas which were part of the original Aislabie landscape such as Chinese Wood and Spa Gill. The World Heritage Steering Group, which comprises English Heritage and the National Trust, will continue to engage with the wider consultative group as part of


development of management proposals in the World Heritage Site and buffer zone, through annual stakeholder events and in future reviews of the World Heritage Site Management Plan. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the current international and national policy framework and guidance support the requirement for buffer zones where they are necessary to ensure the conservation of the World Heritage Site. There is also a clear commitment to a buffer zone within the current World Heritage Site Management Plan. It is clear that developments outside the tightly drawn boundary of the World Heritage Site can impact adversely on the outstanding universal value of the site itself. The proposed buffer zone boundary is therefore primarily aimed at protecting the visual setting of the World Heritage Site and those components of the monastic precinct and Aislabie designed landscape that current research suggests should have been included in the World Heritage Site boundary. The buffer zone also seeks to protect the vista line from the main deer park avenue east to Ripon Cathedral and beyond to Blois Hill Farm. The buffer zone will be made effective because appropriate policies for its protection are included in the Harrogate Borough Local Development Framework.


7. Maps MAP 1 World Heritage Site Boundary MAP 2 Proposed Buffer Zone Boundary MAP 3 Key Features referred to in the Proposed Buffer Zone Description MAP 4 Designated Heritage Assets


BIBLIOGRAPHY National Trust and English Heritage (2001) World Heritage Site Management Plan 2002-2009 National Trust and English Heritage (2009) World Heritage Site Management Plan 2009-2014 Newman, M. (unpublished) Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Archaeological and Historical Survey 2nd edition 2001

64

Studley Royal Park (United Kingdom) No 372rev

1 Basic data

State Party United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Name of property Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey

Location North Yorkshire, England United Kingdom

Inscription1986

Brief description A striking landscape was created around the ruins of the Cistercian Fountains Abbey and Fountains Hall Castle, in Yorkshire. The 18th-century landscaping, gardens and canal, the 19th-century plantations and vistas, and the neo-Gothic church of Studley Royal Park, make this an outstanding site.

Date of ICOMOS approval of this report 14 March 2012

2 Issues raised

Background The property was inscribed in 1986 without a buffer zone but the need for one to protect against large scale or poorly sited renewable energy schemes, large-scale agricultural developments, and inappropriately sited buildings which could harm its setting or key views into and out of the inscribed property was recognised and addressed by the proposal in the ‘Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site Management Plan’ of 2001. The Periodic Report of 2006 noted that the property boundaries were inadequate, stating: “Although the World Heritage Site boundary covers the core area of the designed landscape, some significant features lie outside. There is a need to review the boundary to ensure that it includes those areas that are essential to retain the site’s outstanding universal value. There is also a need to develop a formal buffer zone.’

Modification The current request does not include modification to the boundary of the property, but is for the establishment of a buffer zone around the existing World Heritage inscribed property. The State Party’s submission states that revisions to the boundary of the World Heritage property will be considered as part of the review of the ‘World

Heritage Site Management Plan’ in 2014, following full consultation with relevant landowners and stakeholders.

The proposed buffer zone has been designed to contribute to the maintenance of the outstanding universal value of the site by including outlying parts of the designed landscape and precinct (and their visual settings) where these had not been included in the World Heritage Site boundary; by protecting the visual setting of the property, and by protecting key vistas from within the property to focii beyond it.

Beginning from the Galphay Mill Bridge beyond the property’s Lindrick Gate in the north, the boundary follows the Studley Roger Parish boundary east, then the road B6265, turning south-east at Bishopton Bridge across the designed views to Ripon Cathedral. The vista to the Cathedral is also to be protected, but the boundary shown on the map provided is a straight projection running out to the north-east to enclose Blois Hall Farm beyond the cathedral and does not follow cadastral lines. The boundary then runs south along the River Skell, Ripon Rowel Walk along the east side of the Skell Valley, and Whitcliffe Lane to How Hill Road, enclosing the visual envelope from within the Park except for the expansive view from the summit of Gillet Hill. The boundary then encompasses How Hill, which is the focus of the vista to the south along the canal within the Park, to meet Monk Wall marking the boundary of the Fountains estate and follows this around to the north to meet the lane north-east of Sawley Hall, which it then follows until the lane turns west.

The buffer zone boundary continues north-west along the western edge of Skell Bank Wood and Spa Gill Wood following the south-western edge of a short-lived extension of the Aislabie designed landscape along Spa Gill, roughly parallel to the River Skell until it is crossed by the road B6265. The boundary turns north around the western boundary of Horseley Gate Farm and then runs north along the Parish boundary and the River Laver. It encompasses the Laver Banks, which were managed by William Aislabie as a third section of designed landscape on the route from Studley Royal to his other designed landscape, Hackfall, and continues north along the river to complete the buffer zone boundary at Galphay Mill Bridge.

The submission states that the proposed buffer zone will therefore protect the integrity of the wider historic estate by including Spa Gill Woods, Chinese Wood, How Hill tower and Laver Bank. These are outlying elements of the designed landscape that current research suggests should have been included in the World Heritage Site boundary.

The buffer zone will be protected under National planning policies, in particular Planning Circular 07/09: Protection of World Heritage Sites (July 2009) and by the Harrogate Borough Council’s Draft Development Plan Document (DPD) (2011) with protection policies included in the Harrogate Borough Local Development Framework. At present the vista to Ripon Cathedral and beyond to Blois Hall Farm is not included in the DPD, but the Borough

j.lewis

Text Box

CD9.3

65

Council is intending to include it following public consultation in spring, 2012.

ICOMOS considers that all components of the Aislabie designed landscape and monastic precinct should be included within the World Heritage property boundary and notes the State Party’s intention to consider revisions to the boundary of the World Heritage property as part of the review of the ‘World Heritage Site Management Plan’ in 2014.

It therefore seems premature at this stage to establish the boundaries of the buffer zone, before the property boundary itself is reviewed.

However since it is to be another two years before the property boundaries are reviewed and no doubt longer until legal protection is in place, and in the light of possible threats and the fact that there is currently no buffer zone, ICOMOS considers that it would be expedient to grant the current request for the buffer zone to ensure interim protection under national and local planning policies.

3 ICOMOS Recommendations

Recommendation with respect to inscription ICOMOS recommends that the proposed buffer zone for Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey, United Kingdom, be approved.

ICOMOS also recommends that the State Party give consideration to the following:

redefining the boundary of the property as intended in the 2014 review of the Management Plan;

considering and redefining or confirming the buffer zone boundary in the light of any proposed amendments to the property boundaries;

finalising planning protection policies for the vista to Ripon Cathedral.

Map showing the boundaries of the proposed buffer zone

9.2 Historic environment

9.2.1 Telford & Wrekin has a rich and diverse heritage in the form of a World Heritage Site,listed buildings, seven conservation areas, scheduled ancient monuments, historic parks andgardens, historic settlements, landscape features and archaeological remains, all of which arevital to our sense of history, local culture and community identity. The historic environment helpsto give the borough a sense of local distinctiveness and creates a high quality environment,which is important to our general quality of life and acts as a focus for inward investment andregeneration.

9.2.2 The NPPF makes clear that heritage assets are irreplaceable. It requires local authoritiesto support applications that sustain and enhance the significance of these assets. Applicationsfor development which are consistent with their conservation value are considered a sustainableform of development as this helps provide social, economic and cultural benefits to the localcommunity and for future generations. Proposals that seek to alter heritage assets should notbe considered in isolation but considered as part of the wider overall quality of place.

Ironbridge Gorge

9.2.1 Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site

9.2.1.1 The Ironbridge Gorge was established as one of the UK’s first World Heritage Sitesby UNESCO in 1986 in recognition of its role as the birthplace of the industrial revolution andits unique landscape.

9.2.1.2 The majority of the site lies within the Borough of Telford & Wrekin but it extends intoShropshire. The quality of the area is described and encapsulated in a statement of OutstandingUniversal Value (OUV) in accordance with UNESCO guidelines. The NPPF requires councilswith such sites to plan for their future management.

Telford & Wrekin Local Plan | Telford & Wrekin Council | 125

9

Policy BE 3

Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site

The Council will protect and enhance the Outstanding Universal Value of the IronbridgeGorge World Heritage Site.

Any harm or loss to the World Heritage Site must be clearly justified.

The Council will only support proposals likely to cause substantial harm to the World HeritageSite where it has been clearly demonstrated that there would be substantial public benefitsassociated with the proposal, or in all the following circumstances:

The asset cannot be sustained in its current use;The asset prevents all reasonable use of the site; andThe harm or loss is outweighed by the benefit of bringing the site back into use.

In these wholly exceptional circumstances where harm can be clearly and convincinglyjustified and the development would result in the partial or total loss of a heritage assetand/or its setting within the World Heritage Site, the Council will require the developer torecord and analyse the asset, including an archaeological excavation where relevant, inaccordance with a scheme to be agreed beforehand and to be deposited on the Council'sHistoric Environment Record.

In determining any application for development, and in undertaking its overall responsibilities,the Council will give significant weight to the international value of the Severn Gorge areaas a World Heritage Site.

The Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site is an area of special archaeological interestwithin which all archaeological sites of significance will be afforded the same protection asthat given to nationally important monuments. Proposed development will be particularlyscrutinised for its potential effect on the archaeology of sites and monuments.

The Council will not support proposals in, or adjacent to, the World Heritage Site thatadversely affect the following key features:

i. The existing topographical character and landscape quality, including the stability ofthe slopes and river banks;

ii. The setting of the World Heritage Site including the existing skylines and views to, andfrom, the Gorge;

iii. The area’s natural diversity and ecology, including amongst others, Sites of SpecialScientific Interest and Local Wildlife Sites; or

iv. The area’s distinctive archaeological resource.

In addition to these features, development within the World Heritage Site will need to takeaccount of flood risk and drainage and will be required to demonstrate that the site is stableand that the development can address gas migration.

126 | Telford & Wrekin Council |Telford & Wrekin Local Plan

9 Built environment and heritage

The Council will only support engineering works or development along the riverside, orwithin the course of the river, if it can be demonstrated that the natural, historic orarchaeological character of the River Severn is preserved or enhanced by the proposaland that there is no adverse impact on the hydrology, ecology or archaeology of the riverand associated deposits upstream or downstream.

This policy contributes towards achieving objective 25, 26 and 27.

9.2.1.3 In addition to its status as the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, the area isdesignated a conservation area (Severn Gorge Conservation Area). There is an Article 4(2)Direction restricting permitted development rights across the whole site to preserve the visualquality of the streetscape. This Direction controls minor works including most alterations tohouses, to front and back gardens and other householder projects such as the installation ofsolar panels and satellite dishes. The Madeley Neighbourhood Plan provides some elementsof control for parts of the site. The Council has also prepared guidance on shopfronts andsignage that have SPD status. While these controls collectively provide tools for controllingdevelopment at a micro level, it is appropriate that the Local Plan also gives further direction tomanaging the area holistically and balancing the desire to protect and enhance the OutstandingUniversal Value of the WHS alongside its role as a major tourist attraction and contributor tothe local economy.

9.2.1.4 The criteria for protecting key features derive from the existing World Heritage SiteManagement Plan and the replacement Management Plan which is currently being prepared.The Council will prepare and adopt an SPD for the WHS that will clarify how Policy BE3 will beapplied.

9.2.2 Listed buildings

9.2.2.1 Historic England keeps the schedule of statutorily listed buildings in Telford & Wrekin.The Council is committed to ensuring that these listed buildings are protected. Policy BE4 setsout how the Council will discharge its duties in this respect.

Telford & Wrekin Local Plan | Telford & Wrekin Council | 127

9

76

Cornwall Local Plan Towl leel Kernow

Historic Environment2.170 We recognise that Cornwall’s outstanding and distinctive historic environment is an important irreplaceable resource that contributes to our economy, tourism, education, culture and community identity. Proposals for development should be informed by and respond positively to the historic environment to act as a catalyst for place making in Cornwall to reinforce local identity, character and distinctiveness.

2.171 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides guidance that should be used alongside this Plan particularly on the identification, significance, and protection of heritage assets both designated and undesignated. We expect applicants to assess and describe the significance of these assets, including any contribution made by their setting, sufficient to understand the potential impact of any proposal on that heritage significance. The determination of planning applications by the Council will be based on the assessment of the potential harmful impact, taking into account the desirability of not only sustaining the asset’s significance, but also of enhancing that significance and the positive contribution both conservation and well-informed new design can make to sustainability and local character and distinctiveness.

2.172 The determination of planning applications by the Council will be based on the assessment of the potential harmful impact, taking into account the desirability of not only sustaining the asset’s significance, but also of enhancing that significance and the positive contribution both conservation and well-informed new design can make to sustainability and local character and distinctiveness.

2.173 A substantial body of evidence on the historic environment has been collected and has informed the development of the Local Plan, its strategy for Cornwall’s historic environment and the selection of sites allocated for development. The Key resource is the Cornwall Historic Environment Record, which contains and provides access to a wide range of evidence used to develop an understanding of Cornwall’s historic environment, local distinctiveness and its heritage assets and those parts of the historic environment which have a particular value or significance. These, and any other relevant

resources, should be consulted as appropriate as part of an assessment process: these include the Cornwall Historic Landscape Characterisation, The Cornwall & Scilly Urban Survey, Cornwall Industrial Settlements Initiative, community network area Historic Environment Data sheets, Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans, site specific reports and topic-specific papers such as Improving Energy Efficiency in Cornish Historic Buildings.

2.174 In broad terms, the Council considers the following characteristics make a significant contribution to the local character and distinctiveness of Cornwall and where applicable, development proposals will be expected to demonstrate how these characteristics have been assessed and conserved.

2.175 Cornwall’s historic environment is the product of 10,000 years of human activity responding to its unique geography and location. The slates and granite bedrock geology with its unique mineral resources, its place at the extreme west of the country, and yet at the entrance to the English Channel, long stretches of exposed coastline broken by sheltered estuaries, its mild, but exposed maritime climate, difficult topography for overland travel but scenic attractions, all have been hugely influential in creating, or preserving, cultural distinctiveness and have all contributed to an historic environment which is both distinctive in character and distinctive in its extraordinary variety. Particularly significant aspects of Cornwall’s historic environment include:

• The uniquely preserved prehistoric archaeological landscapes of the granite uplands,

• The number and variety of surviving prehistoric monuments all over Cornwall including quoits and barrows, standing stones, fogous, courtyard houses, rounds and hillforts.

• The enclosed lowland landscapes of medieval fields, and a predominantly dispersed rural settlement pattern of farming hamlets and medieval church-towns largely named using the Cornish language;

• Culturally and geologically distinctive farm buildings and farmstead patterns including post-medieval smallholding landscapes specifically related to the socio-economic conditions of Cornish mining.

77

Strategic Policies 2010-2030 Policis Stratejek 2010 - 2030

• The distinctive 19th and early 20th century horticultural landscapes of the Tamar Valley and the coastal-slope fields of South Penwith.

• A rich multi-denominational ecclesiastical heritage with a distinctly Cornish character of early church and lann sites, early medieval inscribed stones and crosses, holy wells, high medieval church buildings and non-conformist chapels;

• An historic communications network including ancient byways and church-paths peppered with wayside crosses, guide-stones, milestones and fingerposts, former industrial tramways, and an extensive main line and branch rail network with significant local character;

• Significant historic international communications heritage: Packet Service quays (Falmouth); international submarine telegraph station, Porthcurno; Marconi wireless stations (Poldhu and Bass Point); earliest and largest international satellite telemetry station, Goonhilly (1962-2008).

• The distinctive number and variety of towns and villages with medieval market Boroughs; fishing villages; 19th century mineral ports; and 19th/ 20th century seaside towns with urban townscapes, streetscapes and buildings from the medieval period to the present day reflecting the unique narratives of Cornish history;

• A maritime historic environment of significant ports, harbours and quays, lighthouses, seamarks, lifeboat stations, and wrecks, the heritage of the fishing and ship building industries, the transport of mineral products and fuels, and the more recent, but no less significant heritage of the holiday and leisure industry.

• A distinctive industrial character including the internationally significant post-medieval mining landscapes and settlements of the Cornwall and West Devon World Heritage Site and the no less distinctive slate and granite quarrying and china clay and china stone industries with their associated processing works, transport networks and characteristic settlements.

• An ornamental heritage of country houses and designed landscapes, public parks and gardens significant both for the exotic variety of species supported and its cultural links with the economic

and geographic reach of the Cornish industrial revolution.

• The number and variety of Tudor to 20th century fortifications and military sites including 15th- 20th century coastal defences and fortresses, Civil War earthworks and WW1 and WW2 remains, all epitomised by the outstanding military complexes around St Ives, St Michael’s Mount, Falmouth and the Cornish defences of Plymouth.

• A powerful sense of place as evidenced by surviving Cornish language place-names; enduring medieval place-based myths and legends and festivals; images, representations, buildings and places associated with art colonies and a renowned literary heritage rooted in the landscape.

78


apply to other designated assets (grade II listed buildings, parks or gardens) and all non-designated assets, as appropriate to their significance. Non-designated assets could be buildings, monuments, archaeological sites, places, areas or landscapes positively identified (in the Historic Environment Record, Conservation Area Appraisals or Neighbourhood Plans, or equivalent, or through assessment within the Planning processes) as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions.

2.180 Cornwall Historic Environment Record has over 56,000 entries. Cornwall also has the largest number of statutorily protected Heritage Assets in any unitary council area, with over 12,800 listed buildings and 1588 scheduled monuments. The Council’s own estate includes the largest number of statutorily protected Heritage Assets in the care of a local authority. Historic England keep an up to date register of all listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments and proposals will be encouraged which support re-use, or more efficient existing use where this preserves or enhances heritage significance of those identified nationally or locally as at risk. The Council will monitor buildings or other heritage assets at risk through neglect, decay or other threats. Any proposal should seek to incorporate solutions for assets at risk and provide solutions for repair and maintenance of the asset wherever possible.

2.181 Heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource, therefore proposals for development should be informed by and will be determined in line with statutory requirements, national policy guidance and specific relevant guidance, principles and best practice. At present this includes both national guidance, such as relevant Historic England publications (e.g. Conservation Principles, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Notes; Decision making, Setting of Heritage Assets), and locally specific guidance such as the Guidance for Methodist and Nonconformist chapels in Cornwall.

2.182 The Council has produced Supplementary Planning Documents on both the Historic Environment and World Heritage Site which will help establish best practice criteria, help define the distinctive character of the historic environment of Cornwall, provide guidance on use of assessment

• Throughout Cornwall there are distinctive industrial landscapes that reflect its pioneering role in the development of the Industrial Revolution. These include the extensive, internationally significant post-medieval metal (principally tin, copper and arsenic) mining landscapes, associated industries, transport networks and settlements of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, the protection of which is governed by the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of World Natural and Cultural Heritage (1972). The equally distinctive slate, granite quarrying and china clay and china stone industries make a substantial contribution to the special landscape character in several parts of Cornwall and this should be reflected in planning decisions.

2.176 The NPPF draws a distinction between significance and importance. All heritage assets have significance, but there are degrees of importance accorded to different assets, usually reflected in levels or grades of designation. The greater importance the asset has, the greater level of assessment would be expected, and when considering the impact of a proposed development on significance, the greater the weight will be accorded to the asset’s conservation.

2.177 The significance of a heritage asset can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the asset or development within its setting. Any harm or loss, including cumulative impacts and less than substantial harm, will require clear and convincing justification to allow the harm to be balanced against any public benefits of the proposal.

2.178 The more important the asset the greater the presumption against harm; proposals leading to substantial harm of the most important assets would have to be wholly exceptional, and will have to demonstrate a lack of viable alternative schemes or uses, and the most substantial overriding public benefits. Scheduled monuments, protected wreck sites, battlefields, grade I and II* listed buildings, grade I and II* registered parks and gardens, and the World Heritage Site are considered to be of the greatest importance in this regard.

2.179 However, the same expectations for proportionate assessment and the need for justification through overriding public benefits

79

Strategic Policies 2010-2030 Policis Stratejek 2010 - 2030

frameworks and methods and on the interpretation of significance within the Cornish, national and international contexts, and define the requirements of Heritage Statements.

2.183 Other specific relevant sources of information and guidance which should inform both applications and decision making can be found as follows:

Advice and guidance documents produced by Historic England can be found by visiting: www.historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications

The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site Management Plan is available at: www.cornish-mining.org.uk/sites/default/files/Cornwall_and_West_Devon_Mining_Landscape_World_Heritage_Site_Management_Plan_2013-2018.pdf

2.184 Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Many internationally and nationally important archaeological sites are designated as Scheduled Monuments. Works affecting a Scheduled Monument require the consent of the Secretary of State. Landowners or developers seeking to carry out works which might impact on a Scheduled Monument or its setting should seek the advice of Historic England at an early stage.

2.185 Archaeology: Applications which have the potential to impact on archaeological remains will need to be accompanied by assessments and field evaluations sufficient to define their significance prior to the submission of applications. Applicants should outline any mitigation measures and the steps to be taken to record, retain, incorporate, protect, enhance and where appropriate manage the archaeological interest, as part of the proposals. Non designated heritage assets of archaeological interest of equivalent significance to Scheduled Monuments shall be dealt with as subject to the same policy weight as the designated heritage assets.

The first point of call should be the Cornwall Historic Environment Record: www.cornwall.gov.uk/her

2.186 Listed Buildings: Relevant information can be found by visiting: www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/conservation/listed-buildings

2.187 Conservation Areas: Relevant information can be found by visiting: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/conservation/conservation-areas/conservation-area-character-appraisals-and-management-plans/

2.188 Registered Historic Parks and Gardens: Relevant information can be found by visiting: www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/registered-parks-and-gardens

2.189 Non designated heritage assets: Proposals affecting buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions but which are not formally designated heritage assets should ensure they are conserved having regard to their significance and the degree of any harm or loss of significance.

The first point of call should be the Cornwall Historic Environment Record: www.cornwall.gov.uk/her

Green Infrastructure 2.190 Good quality well planned and appropriately located green infrastructure is critical to Cornwall’s future. Not only does it help us to live more healthily, sustainably and self-sufficiently, it helps to increase resilience and adaptation to climate change and supports ecosystems services providing for food production, flood control and wildlife and their component parts: water, soil, nutrients and organisms.

2.191 Green infrastructure is an integrated network of multi-functional spaces within and linking urban and rural environments which collectively have significant environmental, social and economic benefits. It is a vital element of sustainable communities and forms part of the delivery of Cornwall’s Environmental Growth Strategy. Green Infrastructure planning requires an ecosystem services approach to understanding the value of creating and maintaining green spaces and corridors to provide opportunities for recreation, walking and cycling, increasing biodiversity and taking benefit from our natural environment without depleting it.

80


Site (WHS) and its setting should accord with the WHS Management Plan. Proposals that would result in harm to the authenticity and integrity of the Outstanding Universal Value, should be wholly exceptional. If the impact of the proposal is neutral, either on the significance or setting, then opportunities to enhance or better reveal their significance should be taken.

All development proposals should be informed by proportionate historic environment assessments and evaluations (such as heritage impact assessments, desk-based appraisals, field evaluation and historic building reports) identifying the significance of all heritage assets that would be affected by the proposals and the nature and degree of any effects and demonstrating how, in order of preference, any harm will be avoided, minimised or mitigated.

Great weight will be given to the conservation of the Cornwall’s heritage assets. Where development is proposed that would lead to substantial harm to assets of the highest significance, including un-designated archaeology of national importance, this will only be justified in wholly exceptional circumstances, and substantial harm to all other nationally designated assets will only be justified in exceptional circumstances.

Policy 24: Historic environmentDevelopment proposals will be permitted where they would sustain the cultural distinctiveness and significance of Cornwall’s historic rural, urban and coastal environment by protecting, conserving and where appropriate enhancing the significance of designated and non-designated assets and their settings.

Development proposals will be expected to:

• sustain designated heritage assets;

• take opportunities to better reveal their significance;

• maintain the special character and appearance of Conservation Areas, especially those positive elements in any Conservation Area Appraisal;

• conserve and, where appropriate, enhance the design, character, appearance and historic significance of historic parks and gardens;

• conserve and, where appropriate, enhance other historic landscapes and townscapes, including registered battlefields, including the industrial mining heritage;

• protect the historic maritime environment, including the significant ports, harbours and quays.

Development within the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage

Any harm to the significance of a designated or non-designated heritage asset must be justified. Proposals causing harm will be weighed against the substantial public, not private, benefits of the proposal and whether it has been demonstrated that all reasonable efforts have been made to sustain the existing use, find new uses, or mitigate the extent of the harm to the significance of the asset; and whether the works proposed are the minimum required to secure the long term use of the asset.

In those exceptional circumstances where harm to any heritage assets can be fully justified, and development would result in the partial or total loss of the asset and/or its setting, the applicant will be required to secure a programme of recording and analysis of that asset, and archaeological excavation where relevant, and ensure the publication of that record to an appropriate standard in a public archive.

Proposals that will help to secure a sustainable future for the Cornwall’s heritage assets, especially those identified as being at greatest risk of loss or decay, will be supported.

Strategic Policies – Built and Historic Environment

Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1) – Adopted July 2014

122

S28 Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site

278. Hadrian’s Wall was designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1987 as the most complex and best preserved of the frontiers of the Roman Empire. It is an internationally known icon of the North of England and exists over a wide tract of Northwest Allerdale. It has a valuable recreational, social and economic value, both to those who live and work in the area, and visitors and tourists. The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail and the Hadrian’s Cycleway provide important recreation and leisure facilities for a large numbers of cyclists, walkers and visitors.

279. Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site Management Plan provides the framework for management of the site to ensure its preservation for present and future generations, and addresses the issues and opportunities that World Heritage status offers. Although it is not a statutory document it brings together the policies and aspirations of a wide range of individuals and organisations in order to directly influence other plans and strategies. The Management Plan encompasses the Wall itself and a buffer zone on either side and currently covers the period 2008 – 2014.

S28 Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site

There is a presumption in favour of preserving the fabric, integrity and authenticity of archaeological sites that form part of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. Development that would have a detrimental effect on archaeological remains and their setting will be refused.

Proposed development in the Buffer Zone should be assessed for its impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site, and particularly on key views both into and out of it. Development that would have an adverse impact on Outstanding Universal Value will be refused.

Proposed developments outside the boundaries of the Buffer Zone will be assessed for their effect on the Outstanding Universal Value. Any proposals that would have an adverse effect on this will be refused.

New development within Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and its Buffer Zone, which enhances or better reveals its significance, will be supported.

Significant development proposals affecting Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and its Buffer Zone will require a formal environmental impact assessment to ensure their impacts and implications for the longer term are evaluated in full.

280. Policy S28 reflects both national policy and the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site Management Plan and defines Hadrian’s Wall World

Strategic Policies – Built and Historic Environment

Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1) – Adopted July 2014

123

Heritage Site as a designated heritage asset of the highest significance. Given the significance there is a strong presumption in favour of the conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site. The Plan ensures that substantial harm to, or loss of such a site is wholly exceptional. Following the management plan the policy encourages opportunities for new development within world heritage site and settings that enhance or better reveal the significance.

281. The Buffer Zone protects the setting of the World Heritage Site, however, beyond its designated boundary it is also important to have regard for the site as inappropriate development can still have an adverse impact upon the qualities of the site.

National Planning Policy

NPPF paragraphs 126, 128 to 141

Local Plan Strategic Objectives

SO3h, SO5b

Allerdale Council Plan Priorities

2, 4

Sustainable Communities Strategy

6.3, 6.5

Evidence Base and other relevant documents and strategies

Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site - Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan 2008 – 2014, The Allerdale Atlas, Allerdale Historic Environment Review (2013)