Revised Deposit Plan - Wychavon District Council

4.2.62.The distinctive character of an individual Conservation Area is derived from a
wide range of interrelated historical and architectural elements. These include
the design and mixture of historic buildings, street patterns, building lines/scale
and plot layouts, the relationship between buildings and spaces, the mix of
uses of land and buildings as well as a variety of other features such as views,
vistas, landmarks, open spaces, vegetation, hard landscaping and building
materials, street furniture, building materials, night-time appearance and other
elements. It is the combination of all of these qualities which contribute to the
character and appearance of Conservation Areas. Their character, therefore,
is not solely dependent on the quality of individual buildings.
4.2.63.The Council intends to undertake Conservation Area Assessments and
compile design guidance for Conservation Areas during the Plan period which
will review and detail the elements which contribute to the special qualities and
character of individual Conservation Areas, to assist the decision making
process.
4.2.64.Proposals for development will be assessed to ensure that a scheme will either
preserve or enhance the character and appearance of an area. It is not the
intention that new development or changes of use of land or buildings should,
unduly, be prevented but, instead, that schemes respect the qualities of an
area. It follows that development which would not respect the qualities of an
area would result in the degradation of an area’s character and, therefore, will
be resisted.
4.2.59 Generally, however, there are a number of broad principles against which all
proposals within Conservation Areas will be considered. To ensure that
development harmonises with its surroundings, proposals will be expected to
be sited or positioned in a way which does not undermine the historic context
of a Conservation Area - its street patterns and plot layouts for example.
Additionally, the design of new development should respect that of adjacent
buildings in terms of proportions, scale, building lines and roof profiles. Abrupt
changes should be avoided. These broad principles will apply to proposals for
both modern and traditional designs within Conservation Areas.
4.2.65. In this respect iIt is not the intention of the Council to stifle all efforts towards
innovative design within Conservation Areas. Materials and elevational
treatment will be an important aspect of modern designs and modern
interpretations of traditional and locally distinctive materials and design
elements will be considered.
4.2.66. The majority of schemes within Conservation Areas will involve traditional
design and in those cases, strong close attention to traditional detailing,
materials, elevational proportions and traditional building technique will be
equally as important as the broader design issues such as height, scale and
position, if the special quality of a Conservation Area is not to be undermined.
4.2.67. In addition, proposals should not result in the loss or destruction of any feature
which makes a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a
Conservation Area. Changes of use in Conservation Areas will be viewed
cautiously but an application is likely to succeed if it would enhance the vitality
of an area or provide for the re-use of an historic building. Proposals which
would lead to traffic or environmental problems or which would be harmful to
an area’s character will be resisted. Within Conservation Areas, controls exist
over the demolition of unlisted buildings and structures and control over works
to trees.
Wychavon District Local Plan Revised Deposit (July 2003) Page 77
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