Issue - meetings

Planning and Economic Development Portfolio

To consider report PES/419 of the Head of Economy and Planning, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 31 October 2022.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         i)        agrees that the area outlined in red in Appendix A of report PES/419 is an area of special architectural or historical interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance; and

ii)       designates the area outlined in red in Appendix A of report PES/419 as a conservation area pursuant to Section 69(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to be known as the “Queens Square and The Broadway Conservation Area”;

b)         i)        agrees that the area outlined in red in Appendix B of report PES/419 is an area of special architectural or historical interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance; and

ii)       designates the area outlined in red in Appendix B of report PES/419 as a conservation area pursuant to Section 69(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to be known as the “Gossops Green Neighbourhood Centre Conservation Area”;

c)         i)        agrees that those parts of the existing High Street Conservation Area (as outlined by the dashed blue line but excluding the hatched areas in Appendix C of report PES/419) plus the additional adjacent areas (collectively the area outlined in red in Appendix C of report PES/419) is an area of special architectural or historical interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance; and

ii)       agrees to vary the designation of the existing High Steet Conservation Area to the area outlined in red in Appendix C of report PES/419, pursuant to Section 69(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990;

d)         i)        agrees that the existing St Peter’s Conservation Area (as outlined by the dashed blue line in Appendix D of report PES/419) plus the additional adjacent areas (collectively the area outlined in red in Appendix D of report PES/419) is an area of special architectural or historical interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance; and

          ii)       agrees to vary the designation of the existing St Peter’s Conservation Area to the area outlined in red in Appendix D of report PES/419, pursuant to Section 69(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990;

e)         delegates authorised to the Head of Economy and Planning to take such steps as necessary, on behalf of the Council as Local Planning Authority, to give notice of each of the above designations and amendments as required by legislation

(Generic Delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation).

Reasons for the Recommendations

Queens Square and The Broadway, Northgate (Appendix A of report PES/419) is considered an area of special architectural or historic interest due to its distinctive new town character.  Conservation Area designation will enable the Council as Planning Authority to work with developers / stakeholders / planning applicants to preserve / enhance Crawley’s New Town character as a real design asset to attract investment and  ...  view the full decision text for item 5

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development presented report PES/419 of the Head of Economy and Planning on Proposals to Introduce New Conservation Areas and Change Existing Conservation Area Boundaries. The report requested to implement changes in respect of the designation of Conservation Areas within Crawley, further to consultant recommendations and public consultation, including: - The designation of two new Conservation Areas namely: Queens Square and The Broadway Conservation Area, and Gossops Green Neighbourhood Centre Conservation Area. It also proposed changes to the boundaries of the High Street and St Peter's Conservation Areas respectively. 

Councillor Nawaz also presented report PES/419a of the Head of Economy and Planning, which included a risk assessment on the proposed Conservation Areas. It was acknowledged that the suggestion of the risk assessment came from advice from the Overview and Scrutiny Commission. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development also presented the views of the Town Centre BID, who confirmed their support for the proposed new Queens Square and The Broadway Conservation Area.

Councillor T Belben presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 31 October 2022 including stating she was pleased that the Cabinet had accepted the Commission suggestions of seeking the clarification from the Town Centre BID’s status on their position on the proposal and on having before them a risk assessment on the proposals.

Councillors C Mullins spoke as part of the discussion on the report especially in relation to Gossops Green Neighbourhood Centre Conservation Area proposal, commenting that, it was recognising the good and important design principles of a ‘New Town’ and as it had worked well and should be acknowledged accordingly.

Councillor Jones commented with specific reference to the proposed Conversation Area for the Queens Square and The Broadway, stating that it wasn’t about protecting the worse aspects of the current Town Centre design, but it was about ensuring that the Council had the control of the development of the Town Centre going forward. The installation of that Conservation Area, would stop permitted development, meaning that redevelopment applications must go via the planning system and potentially the Planning Committee, which would ensure the Council’s control of how the Town Centre develops for the benefit of our residents. 

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         i)        agrees that the area outlined in red in Appendix A to these minutes is an area of special architectural or historical interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance; and

ii)       designates the area outlined in red in Appendix A to these minutes as a conservation area pursuant to Section 69(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to be known as the “Queens Square and The Broadway Conservation Area”;

b)         i)        agrees that the area outlined in red in Appendix B to these minutes is an area of special architectural or historical interest, the character of which it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

To consider report PES/419 of the Head of Economy and Planning.

The Commission considered report PES/419 of the Head of Economy and Planning on Proposals to Introduce New Conservation Areas and Change Existing Conservation Area Boundaries. The report sought to implement changes in respect of the designation of Conservation Areas within Crawley, further to consultant recommendations and public consultation, including: The designation of two new Conservation Areas; Changes to the boundaries of the High Street and St Peter's Conservation Areas.

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Head of Economy and Planning, Senior Planning Officer and Principal Planning Officer, the following comments were made:

·         Recognition that Conservation Area designation would enable the Council as Planning Authority to work with developers, stakeholders and planning applicants to preserve and enhance Crawley’s New Town character as a real design asset to attract investment and improve the quality of the business and living environment in Crawley Town Centre.

·         Acknowledgement that there were advantages to the implementation of the Conservation Areas:

o   The proposals would give additional parts of the borough nationally recognised status as heritage assets.

o   The proposals would be expected to have positive economic effects overall. There was likely to be some additional costs for developers/site owners associated with development in the Conservation Areas (e.g. planning application fees). It was, however, considered that these would be more than offset by the overall scheme and effects of a more distinctive, higher quality and carefully managed environment, which would ultimately be more attractive to residents, visitors and investors.

o   The environmental impacts were considered to be positive overall, and this was further clarified, as by encouraging the re-use and repurposing of existing elements of the built fabric, Conservation Area designation would promote the efficient use of the carbon embodied in buildings within the Conservation Areas.

·         However, it was also recognised that there were some changes that would be required should the proposal be granted, including:

o   The regulations and permission required for certain types of work to a property, including cladding of the external walls of houses and works to trees, are different in conservation areas.

·         Without a Conservation Area, there was a risk of inappropriate development with poor quality design, potentially as a result of permitted development rights in the Town Centre.  It was noted that Conservation Areas were mainly a facilitator for protecting and enhancing historic environments, regeneration and restoring planning controls, which would ultimately enhance Crawley’s identity.  

·         Explanation was sought on the Article 4 Direction (non-immediate) process, which can only be adopted following a consultation period, with at least 12 months’ notice of it coming into force and is subject to central government agreement.  It was noted that Conservation Area designation does not take away all permitted development rights. There were still legal implications to be adhered to, but the implementation of the proposals would help to secure the preservation and enhancement of Crawley’s historic environment in accordance with legislation, national planning policy and best practice.

·         It was noted that as part of the consultation whilst  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4