Institute of Historic Building Conservation(IHBC) has responded to Historic England’s consultation draft on Conservation Area Appraisal, Designation and Management: Historic England Advice Note 1, registering its serious concerns.
The IHBC writes that it:
… has serious concerns about this document… That the revised version fails to acknowledge that the character and appearance of conservation areas derives primarily from ‘townscape’. The document has also failed to recognise that successful management of change in conservation areas relies on design skill. Whilst policies in local plans and other guidance are useful, the critical ingredient for successful planning involvement in conservation areas is the availability of appropriate design skill on a case- by-case basis. Paragraphs 86-90 provide a very small increase on the minimal design content in the current document. Unless considerably more detailed reference is made to design considerations, the document will be of little practical use in day-to-day development management.
Conservation areas have been at the forefront of proactive, regeneration- linked planning since their inception and they should be promoted properly as a leading tool for design-led positive planning. The document should stress the need for planning authorities to employ or have access to advisors with the appropriate skills.’’’
See more on IHBC consultations
DOWNLOAD the full text of the response and the detailed commentary on the draft submitted.
