Agenda item

The Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport submitted a report on the Bishop’s Stortford Conservation Area Appraisal following public consultation.  He detailed the outcome of the public consultation in the report now submitted and advised that some comments had been taken on board.

The Appraisal identified the special character of the Conservation Area together with the elements that should be retained or enhanced and those which detracted from the identified character.  Once adopted by the Council, the Appraisal would become a ‘material consideration’ in the process of determining planning applications.  It would also link into the development of neighbourhood planning.

Various Members supported the proposals and thanked the Officers involved for engaging with local residents, the Town Council and the Civic Federation.  In response to comments made concerning the need for monitoring and enforcement, the Executive Member referred to available resources and reminded the meeting of forthcoming budget discussions at various meetings, where such resource levels could be reviewed.  He also referred to the duties and responsibilities of the Conservation and Landscape Officers, the Enforcement team and the wider Planning team.

The Executive Member undertook to provide an updated schedule of outstanding Appraisals/Plans for reporting to the Executive.

The Executive supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED - that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Bishop’s Stortford Conservation Area Appraisal be agreed;

(B)      authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the Appraisal which may be necessary; and

(C)      the Bishop’s Stortford Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted.