BUSINESS
  • HOME
  • OUR PROJECTS
  • Contact Us
Picture

News ...

Saving bacon through Historic Research!

30/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
It’s unfortunate when a homeowner discovers that Listed Building Consent is indeed required for certain internal alterations when ‘a’ realtor advised them that the listing only related to the outside!  However every cloud has a silver lining!  The Murphy Associates team was engaged by a Kent-based planning consultant to produce a Statement of Significance/Compliance.  In-depth historic research was undertaken revealing the history of a Grade II listed building, uncovering evidence to support works that had been undertaken in the past prior to listed and works which fell into the category of 'repairs'; justifying new works albeit retrospectively BUT more importantly averting enforcement action. 

If the Certificate of Lawfulness for Proposed Works to a Listed Building has been in place before events unfolding then a definitive answer could have been issued to avoid this type of situation occurring. A lesson learnt the hard way. 




0 Comments

Inspector Allows Gypsy site Appeal in St leonard's Park, Horsham.

24/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Although the planning application related to a gypsy site including the resting of a replacement caravan and a new dayroom was refused, issues relating to heritage matters were raised at the opening of an earlier informal hearing. Matters were adjourned and Murphy Associates were appointed to examine the heritage issues including setting of a Grade II* listed building and its former associated parkland.  Heritage issues did not form part of the reasons for refusal.

Eimear Murphy was appointed to assess these issues and was  called to present evidence at  Public Inquiry earlier this year in respect of the impact of a gypsy site on the edge of the non-designated heritage asset of St. Leonard's Park  - if it caused harm to the setting of the listed St. Leonard's Park House and character of the parkland.  

Murphy's heritage evidence and opinion was informed by having fully researched the historical development of the former deer park and its association with the estate dwelling.  Map regression clearly demonstrated that relationships had changed over time and the parkland had different functions. It was also demonstrated that the private and immediate gardens to the house were consistently screened from the wider park. 

As  well as considering the relationship between the appeal site, the listed building and setting, the Inspector considered the evidence of Murphy Associates on inter visibility and that of Nicola Brown, a Landscape Architect with David Huskisson Associates who's evidence was referred to as being comprehensive. 

The Inspector agreed that the  'the appeal site could be considered to lie within the former historic setting of St. Leonard's Park House' but that 'this  setting' had been 'altered and reduced to the extent that the site now lies beyond the limit where the low key nature of the proposed development would make any appreciable difference to the current setting, which would consequently be preserved.' 

The Inspector also considered that the site 'would not cause unacceptable harm to the character of the historic park ' - a non designated heritage asset. Although it was found that there would be harm to the landscape character of the AONB it was considered that the harm would be outweighed by the other material considerations.

The Appeal was allowed. Partial Costs were awarded to the applicant against the Council.  

The decision can be viewed at: 
http://public-access.horsham.gov.uk/public-access/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=externalDocuments&keyVal=L99BG8IJ09F00

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Heritage Reforms - An Update

24/4/2014

0 Comments

 
More reforms came into effect on 6th April 2014 as a result of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 along with changes to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.  The changes include: 
  • Better defining the extent of protection of a listed building through revisions to the list descriptions, excluding attached buildings and structures and those within the curtilage of the principal listed building from protection. Also by stating definitively that some feature of a listed building is not of special architectural or historic interest.
  • Allowing certificates of immunity from listing to be granted at any time.
  • Replacing conservation area consent with planning permission.
  • Introducing a new Certificates of Lawfulness of Proposed Works to Listed Buildings (enacted on  6th April 2014) - valid for 10 years - that categorically confirms that the works described do not affect the character of the listed building and therefore do not require Listed Building Consent.
  • New National and Local Listed Building Consent Orders under which consent is not required for specified works of the type described in the Order (enacted on   6th April 2014). 
  • Introducing heritage partnership agreements  (enacted on  6th April 2014) between local authorities and owners setting out works for which listed building consent is granted (excluding demolition). 

If you require further information of the above matters or wish to progress a review of a list description, Certificate of Lawfulness or a heritage partnership agreement, contact us at [email protected]
0 Comments

A word on the Changes to the GPDO 2014

24/4/2014

0 Comments

 
As previously blogged the latest round of changes to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 1995 that came into effect on 6th April 2014, brought with it further relaxations in favour of residential conversions. 

4 new use classes of permitted development were introduced which allows the change of use of existing retail/office and agricultural buildings to dwellings.  There is also provision for the conversion of agricultural buildings to state-funded schools or nurseries allowing more sensitive commercial activities in rural areas as well as the change of use of A1 retail units to A2 financial and professional services such as banks, building societies and credit unions. 

 In addition, the change of use from an agricultural building to a dwelling can benefit from building works that are reasonably necessary in respect of the conversion.  

There are of course conditions that need to be met including a prior approval notice to the Local Planning Authority.  And the changes are not allowed across the board. The burden is therefore on the applicant/landowner to demonstrate that any technical issues arising such as flood risk, transport and highways impact, noise and land contamination would be acceptable.

Controls have also been put in place to ensure that those buildings that have already benefitted from a change of use or conversion to a  dwelling under new Classes IA or MB do not benefit from permitted development rights under Classes A-E of the GPDO and would therefore require planning permission 

Should you wish to progress proposals and are not sure if you can benefit from the change to the GPDO we are here to help and advise.  

Contact us at [email protected]
0 Comments

    Author

    Admin

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    August 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • OUR PROJECTS
  • Contact Us