Issue - meetings

** Please note that the appendix to this report, Oxford Canal Conservation Area Appraisal, will be circulated separately to the main agenda pack as it will be printed in colour **

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To seek the approval of the Executive to designate the Oxford Canal Conservation Area with immediate effect.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)       To consider the representations received following consultation and the changes made to the draft conservation area appraisal and to the proposed conservation area boundary as a result.

(2)       To approve the conservation area appraisal for the Oxford Canal accordingly.

(3)    To resolve, under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to designate the Oxford Canal Conservation Area with immediate effect.

Resolved

(1)   That the representations received following consultation and the changes made to the draft conservation area appraisal and to the proposed conservation area boundary as a result be noted.

(2)   That the conservation area appraisal for the Oxford Canal be approved.

(3)  That, under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the Oxford Canal Conservation Area be designated with immediate effect.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which sought approval of the Executive to designate the Oxford Canal Conservation Area with immediate effect.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Planning reported that the designation of part of the Oxford Canal as a Conservation Area aimed to ensure that the special character and appearance of the area could be identified and protected, through ensuring that any future development preserves or enhances that identified special character. If approved, the document would be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications within the conservation area and its setting. Additionally, it would form a starting point for a heritage partnership agreement with the Canal & Rivers Trust, attempting to consider the maintenance and management of the canal.

The Executive commended the officers who had worked on developing the document.

Resolved

(1)               That the representations received following consultation and the changes made to the draft conservation area appraisal and to the proposed conservation area boundary as a result be noted.

(2)               That the conservation area appraisal for the Oxford Canal be approved.

(3)               That, under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the Oxford Canal Conservation Area be designated with immediate effect.

Reasons

The area has been identified as an area of special architectural or historic interest, and as such, the Council is duty bound to designate a conservation area under section 69 of The Act.

The document sets out the reasons why the area is of such interest and justifies its designation. Such justification will be of use to planning officers and inspectors when determining applications along the route of the canal.

The document should form a starting point for a heritage partnership agreement with the Canal & Rivers Trust, attempting to consider the maintenance and management of the canal.

Options

Councillor Nigel Morris left the meeting for the duration of this item.