Object
Publication
Representation ID: 24053
Received: 18/03/2021
Respondent: Historic England
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
Whilst there are no designated heritage assets within the site boundary, the grade II* listed Lodge Farmhouse lies to the south of the site. To the south west of the site lies the Bawburgh Conservation Area. This includes the grade I listed church of St Mary and St Wulfstan, grade II* listed Church Farmhouse, The Hermit’s House and the Slipper Chapel, together with a number of grade II listed buildings. There are also three scheduled monuments (Bawburgh Bridge and two garden houses near the Hall). Any development of the site has the potential to impact upon the setting of these heritage assets.
This is a very large site for development and therefore the scale of the development may have an impact on these sites. Whilst we consider it likely that the site could accommodate development, we suggest that a Heritage Impact Assessment should be undertaken in advance of the EiP to assess the impact of the proposed development upon the significance of these heritage assets, to establish the suitability or otherwise of the site and to establish appropriate mitigation and enhancement should the site be found suitable. If the site is found suitable, the findings of the HIA should then inform the policy wording.
It might also be helpful to illustrate proposed mitigation in the form of a concept diagram for the site e.g. showing where open space and landscaping would be located in the Local Plan.
We suggest that a more detailed Heritage Impact Assessment be undertaken in advance of the EiP to assess the impact of the proposed development upon the significance of these heritage assets, to establish the suitability or otherwise of the site and to establish appropriate mitigation and enhancement should the site be found suitable. If the site is found suitable, the findings of the HIA should then inform the policy wording.
It might also be helpful to illustrate proposed mitigation in the form of a concept diagram for the site e.g. showing where open space and landscaping would be located in the Local Plan.
Thank you for consulting Historic England on the Greater Norwich Local Plan Regulation 19 Draft including The Strategy and The Sites. As a statutory consultee, our role is to ensure that the conservation of the historic environment is fully integrated into planning policy and that any policy documents make provision for a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment.
Our comments below should be read with reference to our previous comments dated 1.2.17, 15.3.18, 4.12.1, 26.4.19 and 16.3.20. Please also see our detailed comments in the attached tables, Appendix A in relation to The Strategy and Appendix B regarding The Sites.
SUMMARY
The Greater Norwich Local Plan covers the Strategy and Site Allocations. While commenting on the plan as a whole, Historic England is particularly concerned, for its implications for Norwich itself. Norwich is one of England’s great historic cities, and its architectural and historic character, and the sense of place associated with that, make a profound and wholly beneficial contribution to the city’s well-being.
In line with paragraph 185 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) it is important that the Plan should set out a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats.