PAPER D

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE -

TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2002

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

PART IV REPORTS – ITEMS OTHER THAN CURRENT APPLICATIONS

Proposed Conservation Area, Whippingham

SUMMARY

To consider a request from the Local Member not to proceed with the designation of a Conservation Area at Whippingham.

BACKGROUND

In April 1999 an assessment was made of the East Cowes area to identify whether any part may be suitable for designation as a Conservation Area. Following on from this initial assessment, further consideration was given to the area focussed on St Mildred’s Church (Whippingham Church) off Beatrice Avenue in Whippingham. An appraisal was carried out in accordance with the criteria set out in PPG15 (Planning and the Historic Environment).

At the meeting held on 3 April 2001 the former Planning Committee received a report and agreed to the designation of a Conservation Area located around Whippingham Church and to proceed with the designation without any unnecessary delay. In the report the Conservation Officer said:

“Given the obvious architectural quality of this area, the settings of the listed buildings, the grouping and the contribution that the general undulation of the landscape around makes, I would recommend this area be given serious consideration as a Conservation Area, since I believe it complies with the criteria set out in PPG15.”

Since then meetings have taken place with the Whippingham Community Partnership, a meeting attended by some 35 local residents, and Governors of Whippingham Primary School. The intention of these meetings was to present the proposal and outline the implications of a designation as a Conservation Area. I am advised by the Conservation Officer that there was a good degree of opposition to the proposed designation. Written representations have been received from twelve individuals against the designation and eleven individuals in favour of the designation.

The Conservation Officer has made a further assessment of the area and has agreed with the Local Member that at this moment in time there exists sufficient protection for Whippingham Church and other nearby buildings by way of listed status, which should ensure that any further development, if any, is in keeping and any alterations or extensions to the existing fabric is in character with these important buildings. It was agreed with the Local Member that the proposed designation of the area as a Conservation Area would be reconsidered.

On this point the Local Member has written to the Conservation Officer in the following terms:

“I understand that upon earlier application, this proposal received ‘agreement in principle’ from the Planning Committee. This was clearly without prior public consultation, as you saw for yourself at the meeting you attended at Whippingham.

With this in mind, and given that you concur with my analysis of the application as being unnecessary, may I request that you submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee to clarify the situation and withdraw the application entirely.”

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

If Members decide not to proceed with this designation, there will be a minimal cost saving in terms of placing formal advertisements etc and the necessary assessment/administrative work.

OPTIONS

1.        To continue with the designation of a Conservation Area on the area around Whippingham Church as previously agreed by the former Planning Committee.

2.        To discontinue the procedure and agree not to designate a Conservation Area around Whippingham Church.

3.        To discontinue the procedure and agree not to designate a Conservation Area around Whippingham Church, but review the situation in twelve months time.

CONCLUSION

This is a difficult and unusual issue in as much as the former Member for the area was extremely keen to see a designated Conservation Area for the area based around Whippingham Church, however, there does not appear to be a consensus locally and indeed there is some opposition to the proposed designation. The new Local Member is aware of the situation and following consultation with the Conservation Officer on the degree of protection afforded to historic buildings in this particular locality, he has concluded, having taken due regard of local opinion, that this particular designation is unnecessary and effectively asked this Committee to rescind the previous resolution.

The initial moves to designate this as a Conservation Area were very much due to pressure brought by the former Local Member and based on extensive work carried out by the Conservation Officer in terms of an assessment of the character of the built environment/landscape in the immediate locality. The parties at that time did not have the benefit of local representations and although some of the fears may be unfounded, it is my view that in the circumstances it would be appropriate at this stage not to proceed with the designation but to review the situation at a later date.

M J A FISHER

Corporate and Environment Services