Agenda item

The Committee considered the report presented by the Conservation Officer which sought to advise Members of the Conservation Team’s proposals to review the District’s Conservation Areas (CAs).  The report also highlighted that a future project to develop online access to items at the resource centre at the Brunel Drive depot was to be progressed at a later date.

The report set out the background to the designation of CAs and the affects they had on property owners and/or businesses.  The report noted that the Council had a legal duty to review existing CAs from time to time in accordance with the relevant legislation.  Paragraph 3.0 of the report set out the proposal to fully review the district’s CAs and, in due course, to amend/designate CAs and publish associated CA Appraisal documents.  It was intended to review the Newark, Ollerton, Edwinstowe and Southwell CAs during the following 3 year period.  It was reported that it was also intended to publish designation statements for all 47 CAs which would enable a schedule of priorities to be produced. 

Paragraph 3.4 of the report highlighted that there was currently a limited resource to progress a more comprehensive and audience focused digitisation project of the museum’s collection and that this would be taken forward in the future including, where appropriate, funding bids.

In considering the report the Members sought clarification on a number of issues. 

In relation to the consultation period, the Conservation Officer advised that this would extend past the statutory minimum requirement of 6 weeks.  The Council’s website would be update to reflect the consultation and it was the Team’s aspiration to have a rolling programme of updates for the CAs going forward. 

The Conservation Officer confirmed that there would be significant involvement with Parish and Town Councils and it was hoped that they would encourage their residents to participate in the process. 

Having regard to the formal process of adopting a CA it was reported that it was a legal requirement for the Committee to consider any draft amendment to a CA, together with information gathered from the consultations and the subsequent proposal prior to them being adopted. 

In response to whether the information gathered during the review could be used as a marketing tool for tourism, the Conservation Officer advised that there would be many opportunities for sharing the information with other Business Units at the Council.

In considering the implications of a CA, a Member sought clarification on issues relating to Tree Preservation Orders (TPO).  The Conservation Officer advised that if a tree required work carrying out on it and was in a CA the Conservation Team would need to be notified.  They would then assess the situation and whether the tree was worthy of having a TPO.  He added that trees would form part of the CA review.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)     the Conservation Team be given delegated authority to undertake the Conservation Area review work.  Updates to be given to the Committee bi-annually, as well as reports at the appropriate time to designate/amend Conservation Areas and adopt the associated Appraisal; and

(b)     that a future project developing online access to items at the resource centre at the Brunel Drive depot be progressed at a later date when resources permit be noted.

(Councillor Lee did not take part in the vote as he was absent from the room at that time.)