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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION

REPORT OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY STRATEGY

Report prepared by Michael Thornton and Mike Parkinson 

Date Issued: 19 November 2009

1.           CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISALS AND MANAGEMENT PLANS: BEARSTED GREEN AND HOLY CROSS

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1   To endorse a proposed revision to the approved work programme for the production of Conservation Area appraisals and management plans for Bearsted Green and Bearsted Holy Cross Conservation Areas.

1.2        Recommendation of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Services

1.2.1  It is recommended that the proposed revision to the approved work programme to combine the Conservation Area appraisals and management plans for Bearsted Green and Bearsted Holy Cross Conservation Areas is endorsed.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   The approved programme for Conservation Areas appraisals and management plans scheduled the production of appraisals for Bearsted Green and Bearsted Holy Cross Conservation Areas during the current financial year.  Due to the Kent International Gateway (KIG) appeal it has been necessary to expedite the production of management plans for the two sites.  Therefore, the appraisal and management plan are being combined into one document in advance of the programme for completion of these management plans.

1.3.2   The draft combined documents for both of the Conservation Areas will be reported to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration for approval for consultation in the next few weeks. 

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1 The alternative not to produce a combined Conservation Area appraisals and management plans means that the Council would miss an opportunity to provide further robust evidence on the impact of KIG on the two Conservation Areas in question.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   Conservation Area appraisals and management plans should result in clear guidance regarding important features and character in conservation areas for all parties involved in projects or decision making within them and should thus assist in the attainment of corporate objectives.

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1   In this financial year KIG has had an adverse impact on work output and there will be difficulty in achieving a balance between the team’s targets.

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

Environmental/Sustainable Development Implications

1.7.2   Conservation Area appraisals and management plans should assist in the attainment of consistent decisions on development proposals and the better ability to ensure that the high environmental qualities of conservation areas are protected.  Management plans will address how sustainability can best be integrated into conservation areas without compromising their special character.  The management plans can be instrumental in building partnerships for positive action by the Council with Parish Councils, English Heritage and other parties.