1.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

2.      INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

2.      

2.1     There are 41 designated conservation areas in Maidstone Borough. Of these   14 have an appraisal, management plan or both.

2.2     In September 2019 Members agreed a two year work programme covering 2019-2021 for the production of documents for additional areas, resourced through the Business Rates Retention Scheme.

2.3     In September 2020 Members were updated on the work programme. Completed work comprised the Boughton Monchelsea Conservation Areas boundary review and draft Appraisal and Management Plan documents (CAAMPs) for Sutton Valence and Maidstone Town Centre, Chillington House and Ashford Road Conservation Areas.

2.4     In accordance with the agreed work programme, draft CAAMP documents have been prepared for Yalding, Lenham Elmstone Hole and Harrietsham East Street Conservation Areas. These will be made available in draft on the Council’s website for public consultation.

2.5     The table in Appendix 1 sets out the status of each conservation area to include the new draft documents.

Policy considerations

2.6     The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires local planning authorities to review their conservation areas from time to time, to formulate and publish proposals for their preservation and enhancement and consult the public in the area in question, taking account of views expressed (Sections 69(2) and 71(1 and 2)).

2.7     National planning policy guidance advises that a conservation area appraisal can be used to help authorities to develop a management plan and appropriate policies for the Local Plan, and that a good appraisal will consider features that made a positive or negative contribution to the area, thereby identifying opportunities for beneficial change or planning protection (PPG, Para 025).

2.8     Historic England advises that an up to date conservation area appraisal and management plan is the most appropriate way for a local authority to fulfil the above duties (Designation, Appraisal and Management of Conservation Areas, January 2019).

Work completed, 2020/2021

2.9     The boundaries of Boughton Monchelsea The Green and The Quarries Conservation Areas were extended following a public consultation. The revised boundaries were formally adopted under delegated powers on 25.03.20.

2.10  Appraisal and Management Plans for Sutton Valence, Maidstone Ashford Road, Maidstone Centre and Maidstone Chillington House Conservation Areas were adopted under delegated powers on 18.01.21 following public consultation.

2.11  Draft appraisal and management plans have been prepared for Yalding, Lenham Elmstone Hole and Harrietsham East Street Conservation Areas.

Upcoming work, 2020/2021

2.12  The above draft documents will be made available on the Council’s website for public consultation. Following this meeting, they will be publicised by contacting Ward Members, Yalding Parish Council, Lenham Parish Council, Harrietsham Parish Council and other groups and stakeholders relevant to each conservation area. Due to current COVID restrictions it will not be possible to have physical documents available to the public as would ordinarily be the case, but we will endeavour to provide paper copies if specifically requested.

2.13  Following a period of not less than six weeks the documents will be amended in light of comments received and reported to the Head of Planning and Development for delegated approval. The final adopted documents will be added to the website accordingly.

2.14  Appraisal and Management Plans will be drafted for Lenham Village and Headcorn Conservation Areas, which were identified as the next highest priority areas in the 2019 report. These are due to be completed in September 2021.

2.15  The work programme priorities will be reviewed towards the end of the year to take account of management plan actions, specific requests from Members and residents, Local Plan recommendations, and available resources. A new work programme will be reported to Members at this stage. 

3.   AVAILABLE OPTIONS

3.1     The work will be mainly be carried out by the part-time conservation officer, who is employed on a temporary contract due to end at the beginning of January 2022. In addition to the conservation area work, officers will be carrying out project work in relation to the Local Plan review.

3.2     The project has been resourced in since 2019 by money allocated from the Business Rates Retention Scheme, which has been used to increase the hours of the part-time officer. Funding will continue to be available during 2021.

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1     In order to fulfil the Council’s duties in relation to its designated conservation areas and in accordance with the previous resolution of this Committee it is appropriate to publish further appraisals and management plans.

5.       RISK

5.1     The risks associated with this proposal, including the risks if the Council does not act as recommended, have been considered in line with the Council’s Risk Management Framework.  We are satisfied that the risks associated are within the Council’s risk appetite and will be managed as per the Policy.

6.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

6.1     The stakeholders will be notified in relation to the proposed consultation exercise for the CAAMPs produced for Yalding, Lenham Elmstone Hole and Harrietsham East Street Conservation Areas.

6.2     A work programme update will be reported to SPI Committee in due course.

7.        REPORT APPENDICES

·         Appendix 1: Maidstone Conservation Areas status

8.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

None