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| 8. Historic Environment |
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| 1 |
To preserve and enhance the overall quality of the historic
environment of the County Borough. (aim 1) |
| 2 |
To secure the preservation or enhancement of historically
and architecturally important buildings and groups of buildings and their
settings. (aim 1) |
| 3 |
To protect ancient monuments and sites of archaeological
and historic interest. (aim 1) |
| 4 |
To protect historic parks and gardens and take full account
of the historic landscape in determining planning applications. (aim 1)
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| Caerphilly County Borough has a rich and
varied historic environment including listed buildings, conservation areas,
ancient monuments, archaeological sites and historic parks, gardens and
landscapes. This chapter puts forward policies to confirm and reinforce
the statutory framework for protecting this historical and architectural
heritage. The Policies in this Chapter therefore apply to 'development',
namely any works that require planning permission, and also to 'proposals'
for Listed Building Consent or Conservation Area Consent where that is appropriate. |
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INTRODUCTION |
| 8.1 |
To a great extent the County Borough's historic environment
reflects development during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th and early
20th Centuries. Accordingly, many of the Listed Buildings and Conservation
Areas are important civic, religious and industrial buildings and structures
that form the architectural trademarks of that era. However, the most well
known historic buildings and ancient monuments in the area pre-date this
period by hundreds of years. These are the 13th Century Caerphilly Castle
and the early 16th Century Llancaiach Fawr Manor House. There are many other
similar buildings, monuments and archaeological sites in the County Borough
which are not so well known but are of equal historical significance. |
| 8.2 |
National planning policy guidelines
indicate that all of these buildings, structures and sites should be protected.
The Government considers the preservation and enhancement of the historic
environment a key aspect of Local Authorities' wider historic environmental
responsibilities which should be taken into account in the formulation of
planning polices and the exercise of development control. Cadw advises the
Welsh Assembly Government in relation to ancient monuments, archaeological
sites, historic buildings, conservation areas and historic parks, gardens
and landscapes. |
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POLICIES |
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HE1 |
DEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSALS TO PRESERVE
OR ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND CHARACTER OF THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT WILL BE
PERMITTED |
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(Objective 1)
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| 8.3 |
Buildings and the spaces around them contribute to the individual
character of towns and villages. The topography, setting and historical
influences of an area are all expressed in the design of its buildings.
The Council would not normally wish to dictate the design of new buildings
but is concerned that where development does take place, including alterations
to existing buildings, the design should be sympathetic and of a high standard.
When considering a building's design, developers should consider the relationship
with its surroundings. This should be reflected in matters of scale, density,
layout, height, massing, access, materials and landscaping. |
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Listed Buildings and Structures |
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HE2 |
DEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSALS AFFECTING
LISTED BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE THEY WOULD PRESERVE
THE CHARACTER AND QUALITY OF THE BUILDING OR STRUCTURE, AND/OR ITS SETTING |
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(Objectives 1 and 2)
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| 8.4 |
There are currently 410 Listed Buildings in the County Borough.
This figure has recently changed due to a survey of the 26 Communities of
the County Borough undertaken by CADW. The Council places a high priority
on preserving the architectural quality of the area, and accordingly, any
new development should not have an unacceptable impact on the architectural
or historic character or appearance of any of these buildings or their settings. |
| 8.5 |
The listing of a building affects both internal and external
aspects of its structure. Plans showing both existing and proposed details
and a full schedule of all works will be required for consideration with
all applications for works to listed buildings. |
| 8.6 |
The Council recognises that the best way of preserving a
building is for it to continue in beneficial use. Therefore, where the original
use of a listed building has ceased, it may be necessary to accept a new
use to ensure its preservation. The conversion, rehabilitation and improvement
of listed buildings will only be acceptable where the architectural and
historic features are being preserved. |
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HE3 |
DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS WHICH ARE LISTED
OR MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHARACTER OR APPEARANCE OF A CONSERVATION
AREA WILL NOT BE PERMITTED UNLESS THE BUILDING IS STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE AND
CANNOT BE MADE SOUND FOR TECHNICAL OR ECONOMIC REASONS. SUCH APPROVAL WILL
BE SUBJECT TO A CONDITION THAT, BEFORE DEMOLITION BEGINS, PLANNING PERMISSION
IS OBTAINED AND A CONTRACT LET FOR APPROPRIATE REPLACEMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT |
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(Objective 2)
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| 8.7 |
The procedures for demolition of a Listed Building and a
building in a Conservation Area are essentially the same. Applicants proposing
to demolish such a building must be able to justify their proposals and
show why demolition is necessary. Only in exceptional circumstances will
consent be given for demolition, and then only when every possible means
of retaining the building has been examined. The replacement or redevelopment
proposed must produce benefits for the community which outweigh the loss
resulting from demolition. The Council has a statutory duty to pay special
regard to the desirability of preserving listed buildings and their settings. |
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Conservation Areas |
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HE4 |
DEVELOPMENT, CHANGE OF USE, OR DEMOLITION
WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED IN CONSERVATION AREAS, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING, WHERE
IT PRESERVES OR ENHANCES THE CHARACTER OR APPEARANCE OF THE AREA: |
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1 |
BUTE TOWN |
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2 |
RHYMNEY TOWN |
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3 |
NELSON |
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4 |
RUPERRA CASTLE AND PARK |
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5 |
GELLIGAER |
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6 |
GELLIHAF |
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MAESYCWMMER / HENGOED |
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GELLIGROES |
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TREDOMEN |
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10 |
CWMCARN MEMORIAL PARK |
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11 |
GARDEN SUBURBS, PONTYWAUN |
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12 |
LLANBRADACH |
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13 |
GROESWEN |
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14 |
DRAETHEN |
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IN THE DETERMINATION OF PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT
OUTSIDE A CONSERVATION AREA BUT WHICH WOULD AFFECT ITS SETTING FULL ACCOUNT
WILL BE TAKEN OF THE DESIRABILITY OF PRESERVING OR ENHANCING THE CHARACTER
OR APPEARANCE OF THE CONSERVATION AREA |
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(Objectives 1 and 2)
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| 8.8 |
Conservation Areas are designated because they possess a
particular historical or architectural character which the Local Authority
considers should be protected. This does not mean that development will
be resisted as a matter of principle, rather that when a development is
proposed particular attention will be paid to its design to ensure that
it is sensitive to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.
There are fourteen designated Conservation Areas within the County Borough,
all of which are shown on the Proposals Map. This policy applies to all
designated Conservation Areas within the County Borough and also to any
Conservation Areas designated under the appropriate legislation over the
Plan period. |
| 8.9 |
Within these areas, additional controls apply to new developments,
changes of use and to demolition, to secure the long-term preservation and
where appropriate enhancement of the special character for which they have
been designated. A 'Character Statement' will be prepared for each of the
Conservation Areas defining what it is about each area that makes it 'special',
to set out what needs to be done to keep it special, and to determine how
best to achieve this. Supplementary Planning Guidance will set out what
type of alterations and developments are considered acceptable within each
of the Conservation Areas, depending on the character of the individual
conservation area. It is intended that this will be used in conjunction
with these policies. |
| 8.10 |
Special attention must also be paid to development proposals
which are outside designated Conservation Areas but would affect their setting.
The Council will seek to obtain the co-operation and participation of landowners,
business communities and residents to promote positive schemes to enhance
the architectural heritage of each Conservation Area. |
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HE5 |
DEVELOPMENT WITHIN CONSERVATION AREAS
WHICH INCLUDE THE PROVISION OR REPLACEMENT OF ROAD OR FOOTPATH SURFACES,
OR NEW STREET FURNITURE INCLUDING ADVERTISEMENTS, SHOULD BE SYMPATHETIC
TO THEIR SETTING AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE PRESERVATION OR ENHANCEMENT OF THE
CHARACTER OR APPEARANCE OF THE AREA |
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(Objective 1)
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| 8.11 |
Powers are available to the Council to restrict permitted
development rights and deemed consent for advertisements. Where it appears
that the character of a Conservation Area may be harmed by inappropriate
minor developments, the Council will consider the making of appropriate
directions or designations to restrict development rights .
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Archaeological Remains and Scheduled Ancient
Monuments |
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HE6 |
PROPOSALS WHICH PROTECT OR ENHANCE
SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND THEIR SETTINGS WILL BE PERMITTED SUBJECT
TO SATISFYING OTHER DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA. DEVELOPMENT WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE
TO SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED |
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(Objective 3)
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HE7 |
WHERE THERE ARE ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS
OR WHERE THERE IS GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE THAT SUCH REMAINS EXIST, AND THEIR
SETTINGS ARE AFFECTED BY A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, THERE WILL BE A PRESUMPTION
IN FAVOUR OF THEIR PRESERVATION IN SITU. WHERE THIS IS DEEMED INAPPROPRIATE,
PROPOSALS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REQUIREMENT TO SECURE THE EXCAVATION AND
RECORDING OF THOSE REMAINS AND IF APPROPRIATE THEIR REMOVAL IN WHOLE OR
IN PART |
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(Objective 3)
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| 8.12 |
Archaeological remains are a finite and an irreplaceable
resource, in many cases highly fragile and vulnerable to damage and destruction.
They can contain valuable information about our past and are important both
for their own sake and their role in education, leisure and tourism. Some
archaeological remains are scheduled as Ancient Monuments, but the vast
majority of sites remain unprotected. Cadw is responsible for the care and
maintenance of some Ancient Monuments. However, Local Planning Authorities
have a number of key responsibilities in relation to archaeological sites
and monuments within their areas. |
| 8.13 |
National Planning Guidance
requires that Development Plans must "reconcile the need for development
with the interests of conservation including archaeology' and should 'include
policies for the protection, enhancement and preservation of sites of archaeological
interest and their settings". Policies HE6 and HE7 will
provide an important part of the framework in considering each proposal
for development that affects archaeological remains with the aim of guiding
developers in preparing planning applications. |
| 8.14 |
There are currently 46 Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the
County Borough. This is only a small proportion of the wealth of historic
remains in the area. The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, (GGAT), which
provides the Council with a comprehensive planning service, has records
of over 100 archaeological sites in the County Borough
. Although the majority of sites are not legally protected and have no official
status, their importance and significance should not be overlooked. |
| 8.15 |
Where development is likely to affect a known archaeological
site, or an area where there is good reason to suspect a significant archaeological
interest, the Council may request the developer to arrange for an archaeological
field evaluation to be carried out before any planning application is determined. |
| 8.16 |
The Council will encourage any scheme that will preserve
and where appropriate enhance Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other sites
of archaeological or historic interest. It is important that they are not
only preserved and enhanced, but also that their settings are protected
and improved. |
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Historic Parks, Gardens and Landscapes |
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HE8 |
PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE A HARMFUL IMPACT
ON THE APPEARANCE, SETTING, CHARACTER AND QUALITY OF THE FOLLOWING HISTORIC
PARKS, GARDENS AND LANDSCAPES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED |
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1 |
MAES MANOR HOTEL, BLACKWOOD |
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2 |
THE VAN, CAERPHILLY |
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3 |
RUPERRA CASTLE, RUDRY |
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4 |
CEFN MABLY |
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5 |
GELLIGAER COMMON |
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(Objectives 1 and 4)
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| 8.17 |
Cadw, in association with the International Council on Monuments
and Sites and the Countryside Council for Wales, has prepared a Register
of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
The register has been prepared in two parts. The first, covering Historic
Parks and Gardens, lists the above four Historic Gardens within the County
Borough. The second, covering Historic Landscapes, lists Gelligaer Common
as a Special Historic Landscape. No additional statutory controls follow
from the inclusion of a site in the Register. |
| 8.18 |
The County Borough Council will consult Cadw on planning
applications in respect of Grade 1 and 11* sites and the Garden History
Society on all parks and gardens listed in the register. Any necessary restoration
or management which will enhance a site identified on the Register, will
be encouraged. The scale, nature, appearance, design, layout, landscape
treatment and traffic generation, are matters which ought to be taken into
account in the implementation of the Policy. |
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