Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

(a)      approve the designation of boundary changes to Newark and Southwell Conservation Areas;

(b)     adopt the Newark and Southwell Conservation Area Appraisal documents; and

(c)   give delegated authority to the Business Manager, Planning Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Visitors to implement the designation of the boundary changes and publication of the Appraisal documents.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Visitors presented a report which sought approval of the proposed boundary changes to Newark and Southwell Conservation Areas and to agree the adoption of the associated Appraisal document which explained what was special about the areas, including management proposals which sought to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation areas.

The Council had a legal duty to review existing Conservation Areas in accordance with Section 69(2) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. In September 2018, the Economic Development Committee granted the Conservation Team delegated authority to proceed with a three-year plan to review a number of Conservation Areas within the District focussing on Edwinstowe, Newark, Ollerton, and Southwell. The work on these areas was summarised in the report.

The report and appendices detailed the consultees and responses which had shaped the reviews in Newark and Southwell, as well as the final proposals.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Cabinet:

(a)          approve the designation of boundary changes to Newark and Southwell Conservation Areas;

(b)          adopt the Newark and Southwell Conservation Area Appraisal documents; and

(c)          give delegated authority to the Business Manager, Planning Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Visitors to implement the designation of the boundary changes and publication of the Appraisal documents.

Reason for Decision

To enable officers to carry out the Council’s legal duty in respect of Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and to provide clarity to

landowners, residents, and potential investors on the heritage importance of defined areas within Newark and Southwell.

Options Considered

Officers consider that the proposed boundary changes accord with a rigorous methodology for assessing the special interest of existing and proposed conservation areas, as well as being subject to extensive public consultation and engagement. Alternative options have been considered and discounted throughout this process, ranging from making no changes through to a range of different amendments to the current boundary.