Chapter 6 Development Control

Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities6.8.13 Caution should be used when consideringproposals to demolish parts of protected andproposed protected structures as these parts maybe of importance to the cumulative historic interestof a building. Where partial demolition of aprotected structure is proposed, the onus should beon the applicant to make a case that the part –whether or not it is original to the structure – doesnot contribute to the special interest of the whole,or that the demolition is essential to the proposeddevelopment and will allow for the properconservation of the whole structure.6.8.15 Where a protected structure has suffered fire orother accidental damage and substantial demolitionis necessary, the elements that contribute to itsspecial interest that have survived should beretained in any reconstruction or repair. 266.8.16 The demolition of a protected structure or aproposed protected structure may be permitted if ithas become a dangerous structure. However, if aprotected structure has become dangerous, everyeffort should be made to retain its special interestby specifying works that limit, as far as possible,material damage or alteration to the character ofthe structure.CHAPTER 6 DEVELOPMENT CONTROLThe demolition of a building’s return can impact onneighbouring buildings alsoFaçade retention6.8.17 Façade retention, or the demolition of thesubstantive fabric of a protected structure behindthe principal elevation, is rarely an acceptablecompromise, as only in exceptional cases would thefull special interest of the structure be retained.Such cases may occur if the building had previouslybeen redeveloped behind the façade, in whichevent proposals for new redevelopment behind thefaçade could be favourably assessed, subject toreceiving adequate assurances on how the historicfabric would be protected during the works.Later extensions of littleinterest can be carefullydemolished withoutadverse impact on theprotected structure as withthis later stair tower addedto the rear of aneighteenth-century villa6.8.14 There may be cases where an existing addition is oflittle architectural quality, or is even damaging, tothe original architectural design. This may arise, forexample, where a porch addition has obscured afine entrance doorway or where a poor-qualityextension has unbalanced a good symmetricalfaçade. Partial demolition may be permitted in suchcases, providing it can be achieved without anyadverse structural or architectural impact on theprotected structure.The preservation of a façade, while permitting the demolitionof the remainder of the building, is rarely an acceptableapproach to conserving the architectural heritage6.8.18 Any such permitted redevelopment should relatefloor levels and room sizes to the fenestration of thefaçade, for example to avoid having open-plan officespace behind a Georgian façade that would bevisibly discordant seen from the exterior.26 See also Chapter 1695