Agenda item

To receive a presentation on the Consultation Statement on the Pickwick Conservation Area.

The Northern Area Planning Committee received a presentation from Tony Clark on the Pickwick Conservation Area. The presentation covered the reasoning why the Pickwick Association had gone ahead with an appraisal, with it stated that such a plan would allow greater protection of the Pickwick Conservation Area. It was outlined that the Association had looked at the geographical and physical setting of Pickwick, identified each listed building as well as suggested a detailed management plan as an annex. The work described how the Pickwick Conservation Area aligned with the Corsham Conservation area as well as identifying three important character areas (the area round Middlewick Lane/A4 Junction, Pickwick Manor and its neighbours, Beechfield). The association also made a number of suggestions as to how the Conservation Area should be managed in the future, which would be matters for Wiltshire Council to consider. It was concluded that the existing Conservation Area is fit for purpose, with positive feedback having been received.

Following the presentation, there was an opportunity for the Committee to raise any questions or statements. The following points were raised including that it would be positive for the document to be shared with Chippenham Town Council, with Cepen Park South being the nearest community to Pickwick. The Pickwick Association was praised for its work, with it acknowledged that though on the Conservation Areas Page on the Wiltshire Council website there are a number of management plans and appraisals completed from 2005-2019, only a few of the areas have got up to date plans. The importance of planning committees knowing the criteria for Conservation Areas was stressed in order to gain value from the time and effort invested into producing appraisals and plans.

Other areas for discussion included that Conservation Management Plans and Neighbourhood Plans have an important inter-relationship, however sometimes the focus on Neighbourhood plans can lead to Conservation Plans being given less attention. It was asked who would own the management plan, which would be a responsibility of Corsham Town Council, Wiltshire Council as well as the trustees. In addition the examples of Neighbourhood Plans and Conservation Plans were cited, where in the case of dry-stone walls Parish Councils had requested that residents repair them.

Development Management Team Leader, Simon Smith congratulated the Pickwick Association as well as Councillor Belcher and Councillor Hopkinson for their work. Simon outlined that the document would not be part of a development plan but would rather fit into the category of being a material consideration, which would be considered when determining a planning application.

The Local Unitary Member, Councillor Helen Belcher then spoke regarding the presentation. Cllr Belcher thanked the Committee as well as Tony Clark for his presentation. Cllr Belcher stated that the document had been produced by a learned community group with expertise and that over past decades Corsham had been subject to development, almost doubling the size of the town, with boundaries going beyond Pickwick which was separate. So far the document has been useful in supporting the Neighbourhood Plan as well as used to help fight off two inappropriate developments, with it stressed that the Association does not oppose development but supports development that is appropriate.

Former Local Unitary Member, Councillor Ruth Hopkinson then spoke regarding the presentation. Cllr Hopkinson raised the following points that over time Local Neighbourhood Plans become less effective in appeals, with the same potentially true about Conservation Areas. Cllr Hopkinson raised that previously such appraisal was conducted with planning officers however with them no longer having the capacity this is a method of overcoming the problem through local people taking responsibility for their areas. In addition, this document could be used as a blue print throughout the county to bolster the position of Wiltshire Council.

Cllr Gavin Grant moved a motion to state that the Northern Area Planning Committee acknowledged and commended the Pickwick Conservation Area Appraisal as a material consideration, this was seconded by Councillor  Jacqui Lay.

Following the vote it was resolved:

That the Northern Area Planning Committee acknowledged and commended the Pickwick Conservation Area Appraisal as a material consideration.