Carlisle District Local Plan.indd - Carlisle City Council

Carlisle District Local Plan 2001 - 2016 Revised Redeposit draft6.63 PPG 15: Planning and the Historic Environment states that it is an objective of GovernmentPolicy to secure the preservation of historic buildings. It states that the destruction of historicbuildings is very seldom necessary for reasons of good planning, and is more often theresult of neglect, or of failure to make imaginative efforts to find new uses for such buildingsor to incorporate them into new development.6.64 Consent will not be given for the demolition of a listed building without clear andconvincing evidence that all reasonable efforts have been made to sustain existing uses orfind viable new uses. In addition the applicant should be able to show that preservation insome form of charitable or community ownership is not possible or suitable. Any proposedredevelopment must be able to prove that there would be substantial benefits for thecommunity which would decisively outweigh the loss resulting from demolition.6.65 The English Heritage (Architectural Investigation Section) must be notified of all proposals todemolish listed buildings, and allowed access to buildings which it wishes to record beforedemolition takes place. In addition, planning conditions may be used to secure suitableprogrammes of recording of features that would be destroyed.POLICY LE16 Change of Use of Listed BuildingsThe change of use of a listed building will be permitted provided it would not have adetrimental effect on the special architectural and or historical interest of the buildingand neighbouring properties.Could be strengthened by identifying the use of appropriate sustainable design andconstruction techniques when changing the use of a listed building. (See Policy CP6)6.66 There are circumstances where a listed building may become redundant in its original use.Conversion to a different use may then be appropriate or desirable, as generally the bestway of securing the upkeep of historic buildings is to keep them in active use. However, thiswill only be permitted where it can be shown that the conversion can be achieved withoutadverse effects on the building’s character or historic interest. Often the best use is thatfor which the building was originally designed and the possibilities for the continuation orreinstatement of that use, should be given due weight when considering the future of alisted building. However, not all original uses will be viable or appropriate, as the natureof uses can change over time and an original use may now be less compatible than analternative one. For example, historic farm buildings may be better able to accommodatesome business or light industrial uses rather than certain types of modern agriculturaloperation.6.67 The City Council will ensure that, where permitted, such development is in keeping withthe character of the listed building. Particular attention will be paid, not only to the designof such proposals, but also to the projected traffic generation and parking requirement.Development which results in significantly increased traffic movements and heavy vehiclesand/or substantial car parking could adversely affect the setting of a listed building and inthese circumstances will not be appropriate.6.68 If a building is so sensitive that it can not accommodate any alterations to keep it in viableeconomic use, its future may be secured by charitable or community ownership. TheSecretaries of State attach particular importance to the activities of the voluntary sector inheritage matters, as buildings preserved in its care can make a contribution to communitylife, local education and the local economy.110 September 2006