Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance - Stoke-on-Trent City Council

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29.0 Buildings of Historical and Architectural Interest 29.1 <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent has many buildings of historic interest. <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent City Council aims to improve the accessibility of its historic buildings whilst retaining the special character of our heritage. 29.2 Access solutions may call for flair and innovation – a little “thinking outside the box” in terms of design. The city council’s Access Officer may be able to assist with guidance. 29.3 <strong>Guidance</strong> has been produced by English Heritage “Easy Access to Historic Buildings”. Another useful source of guidance is “Access to the Historic Environment”, Lisa Foster (ISBN 1 873394 18 7) 29.4 The usual starting point is to undertake an access audit, which considers the building with regard to a very wide range of disabilities that the Disability Discrimination Act covers. You may wish to retain the services of a qualified Access Consultant at this point. Some architects and surveyors are also able to undertake this work. 29.5 Reconciling the aims of improving access with the need to conserve the importance and significance of the historic building is the next step. Your architect or surveyor may already have the skills to undertake this alone. However, it is always advisable to also seek the advice of the Conservation Officer, English Heritage and the local Access Officer, depending on the sensitivity and importance of the building, to ensure that proposals for alterations protect or enhance the historic building, and are of a suitable quality and effectiveness for people with disabilities to justify the alteration. 29.6 The Disability Discrimination Act does not override the need for planning permission, listed building and/or scheduled monument consent and it may not be possible to improve access to some parts of some historic buildings. A measure of compromise, what PPG15 calls “a flexible and pragmatic approach”, is recommended to preserve historic value and significance. In certain cases it may be prudent for a relaxation of the building regulations to allow for a “reasonable” access solution. 29.7 Usually, it is the lack of quality and effectiveness of a solution that may lead to an objection to a proposal. It is generally expected that the conservation principles of reversibility apply and we would hope to see a layer of history added rather than historic fabric and evidence of previous generations’ work and values removed. 29.8 It is not envisaged that ramps, lifts etc. will be suitable for all buildings, particularly when they may adversely affect their character. In these cases it is likely that a more pragmatic approach will be taken to balance the needs of the users and the character of the building. Although economic restraint is also an 43
aspect of reasonableness, as a service provider you are expected to plan finances and review arrangements periodically. 29.9 Where physical barriers cannot apparently be overcome by making alterations and in exceptional circumstances, the Disability Discrimination Act also allows for alternative means of providing a service. Examples of this include: mail order or a “virtual” visit, or using an alternative route into the building, or providing personal assistance, or ensuring good access to services is provided on the ground floor. These may be referred to as managed solutions. Part M of the Building Regulations has undergone a revision and the Approved Document now requires the submission of an Access Statement with a Building Regulations application. This statement can be used to explain why the historic specialness of the building requires a deviation away from standard solutions. 29.10 In summary, each historic building presents a case that may require a one off solution and therefore requires individual attention. Unfortunately one solution will certainly not fit all and a balance must be reached to ensure that a reasonable level of access is provided without having a significant impact on the building. 29.11 <strong>Planning</strong> policy concerned with Listed Buildings is much stricter than non-listed buildings. Any alteration that affects the character or appearance of the building will require listed building consent; therefore in the majority of cases, Disability Discrimination Act additions will need listed building consent. It is important to remember that alterations to the inside of a listed building also require listed building consent as they affect the character or appearance. It is vital to seek advice from both the local authority Access Officer and Conservation Officer whose objective is to work together to provide the appropriate access solution. 29.12 If you have any questions or need advice on listed buildings you can call us on (01782) 232477, email us at heritage@stoke.gov.uk or write to us at: Urban Design and Conservation <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent City Council PO Box 630 Civic Centre, Glebe Street <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent ST4 1RF 44
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Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance - Stoke-on-Trent City Council

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