Character appraisals and management plans
What is a character appraisal?
A conservation area character appraisal is a document which sets out why the conservation area was designated and what its special architectural or historical interest is.
The appraisal contains an assessment of elements which contribute to the special interest and those which detract from it and covers issues such as: topography, street patterns, boundaries, the historical development of the area, archaeological significance, common building materials, open spaces, quality and relationship of buildings and trees.
What is the purpose of character appraisals?
Character appraisals are prepared in accordance with government guidance (PPG15 –Planning and the Historic Environment, published 1994) and guidance from English Heritage. They are prepared before a conservation area is designated and form part of the designation process.
The character appraisals are subject to a rigorous consultation process prior to their completion. All residents and businesses within the conservation area, plus Ward Councillors, English Heritage, local amenity groups and any major developers, are given the opportunity to read and comment on the character appraisal. All local libraries hold copies of the character appraisals for reference purposes during the consultation process.
The appraisals are adopted by the Development Control Committee as planning guidance for use within the Development Control process, to help inform planning decisions.
Character appraisals
- Cleadon Conservation Area Character Appraisal (final draft)
- Cleadon Hills Conservation Area Character Appraisal (final draft)
- East Boldon Conservation Area Character Appraisal
- Hebburn Hall Conservation Area (first draft)
- Mariners' Cottages Conservation Area - Character Appraisal
- Mill Dam Conservation Area Character Appraisal
- Monkton Conservation Area Character Appraisal
- St Paul's Conservation Area Character Appraisal (final draft)
- West Boldon Conservation Area Character Appraisal
- Westoe Conservation Area Character Appraisal
- Whitburn Conservation Area Character Appraisal
Conservation Area Management Plans
What is a Conservation Area Management Plan?
Conservation Area Management Plans are the next step after character statements. They provide guidance through policy statements to assist in the preservation and enhancement of the Conservation Area. This is a direct response to the 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act which places a duty on local planning authorities to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of its conservation areas.
Each management plan is based around the following objectives:
- To establish and define the significance of the Conservation Area as a whole and of the individual elements found within it, such as architectural, historical, archaeological, ecological, social, industrial.
- To assess and define the threats and opportunities within the area and how these impact on the significance of individual elements and of the Conservation Area as a whole.
- To provide policy guidance to ensure that the significance of the Conservation Area will be maintained whilst changes occur rather than being lost or damaged and that opportunities for enhancement are maximised.
Whilst the character statement provides an assessment of the physical character and appearance of the Conservation Area, what the key issues are, what the opportunities for preservation and/or enhancement are and which elements detract from the Conservation Area, its overall purpose is to provide a benchmark for assessing the impact of development proposals on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. The management plan is based on those characteristics set out in the character statement and provides policy guidance for their preservation and/or enhancement. Where gap sites and elements which detract from the Conservation Area the management plan seeks to provide guidance on how these areas could be improved in an appropriate and sympathetic manner.
Like character statements, the management plans will be subject to rigorous and extensive public consultation prior to their adoption and supplementary planning guidance.
Management Plans
