Local Plan no longer protects our Heritage?

Whilst researching my response to the application for Listed Building Consent at the Ramsgate Harbour slipways, I’ve realised that the heritage aspect of this site may not have the protection I thought. As part of the transitional arrangements from the old Local Plan to a new Local Development Framework (LDF), the Local Plan expired on 17th June 2009 and only those policies that have been saved by the Secretary of State's direction will continue to be part of TDC’s Development Plan.

The policies relating to Heritage that HAVE NOT BEEN SAVED include the following:

HE1 - LISTED BUILDINGS OF SPECIAL ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORIC INTEREST
HE2 - CHANGE OF USE OF LISTED BUILDINGS
HE4 - PLANNING CONTROLS IN CONSERVATION AREAS
HE5 - CONSERVATION AREA CONSENT
HE6 - DEMOLITION IN CONSERVATION AREAS
HE7 - NON-LISTED BUILDINGS IN CONSERVATION AREAS

The Local Plan (as amended) can be read here: http://thanet.devplan.org.uk/

It appears the ability of the Council to consider this application from a Heritage point of view has become extremely limited as a result of deleting these policies. If this is the case, this will not have been lost on the developers and other interested parties, which in my opinion makes it even more imperative to have your say. To voice your opinion, go to the UK Planning website at http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/councilSelect.do?council=Thanet+District+Council and then select Search Applications from the left hand menu. When the new screen appears enter 10/0736 as the Application Number. You will then be given the chance to comment from the Summary section.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

what was the date of the split /sale of the slipways not long after the june date?

Phil said...

The only thing I can find on the date of ownership is from a recent contributor on Michael Child’s thanetonline blog. This suggests that probably in 2007 the slipways passed to Ramsgate Harbour Slipways Limited, and later (possibly this summer) the land was divided into two parts with Ramsgate Harbour Slipways Limited retaining the lease of No.1 slipway and the others are now leased by Neath Properties Limited. I guess it would depend on the terms of the lease as to TDC's involvement in these changes.

I can see the possible relevance of these dates with regard to how this application has evolved, and lack of clarity on local issues does tend to invite conspiracy theories.