NM22: Maintaining and Enhancing the Conservation Area
This policy is proposed to be added to the current Neighbourhood Plan
The Steering Group have identified concerns over the eroding of the character of the conservation area and wish to encourage the re-development of buildings which currently make a negative contribution to its character and appearance. For example, the Travis Perkins site has been identified as one such area of concern which could be improved through re-development (see NM25 Brownfield Sites)
There is also a desire to demonstrate that the loss of shops in the conservation area may affect it’s sustainability and would like to demonstrate their importance to the community to prevent their loss. (See NM23 Local Shops)
The Steering Group have also identified that retrofitting in conservation areas can be an issue, as such, this new policy will guide effective retrofitting, so it can be undertaken sensitively within the conservation area.
The policy will therefore look to support appropriate redevelopment where it would enhance the Conservation Area and also direct the reader to the design code, the Historic England Guidance and the ACAN tool kit address retrofitting opportunities.
Proposed Policy NM22: Maintaining and Enhancing the Conservation Area
- Proposals within the Conservation Area or its setting which demonstrate that they preserve or enhance the special architectural and historic interest of the Area, complying with the New Milton Design Codes and Guidance and the Old Milton Green Character Statement, as relevant to location, nature and scale of the scheme, will be supported.
- Proposals which would result in considerable improvements to energy efficiency, carbon emissions and/or general suitability, condition and longevity of existing buildings in the Conservation Area (as shown in the Policies map) will be supported, with significant weight attributed to those benefits. Where exterior building alteration is required, the proposals must demonstrate that heritage preservation has been balanced with energy efficiency to avoid adverse visual impact on the surrounding conservation area.
Please review the proposed policy and tell the steering group your thoughts about including this policy in the neighbourhood plan.