Policy information sourced from City of London Barbican and Golden Lane Draft Conservation Area SPD

1. Summary of Character, Appearance and Significance

This supplementary planning document articulates the special character and appearance of the Barbican and Golden Lane Conservation Area and the policy framework for its management.

3. Planning Policies

This Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets out the City Corporation’s specific policies relating to the Barbican & Golden Lane conservation area. Development affecting this conservation area will be managed in accordance with legislation and the national and local planning policies set out below.

Development should preserve and enhance the distinctive character and appearance of the Barbican and Golden Lane conservation area – as set out in this SPD – and the significance of individual heritage assets within the boundary. Where appropriate, development should seek to better reveal the significance of the conservation area and other individual heritage assets.

Legislation

The Civic Amenities Act 1967 gave local authorities the power to designate conservation areas, and these powers are now contained in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

National policy

The Government’s planning policies are contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which came into force on 27 March 2012 and which was last updated on 20 July 2021. Historic environment policies are detailed in chapter 16 which sets out the requirements for local authorities and applicants in relation to the conservation of heritage assets, including conservation areas. The Department for Communities and Local Government have published Planning Practice Guidance for the NPPF, of which the section ‘Conserving and enhancing the historic environment’ is particularly relevant.

NPPF historic environment policies are supported by the Planning Practice Guidance and Historic Environment Good Practice Advice notes 1-3, produced by Historic England.

London-wide policy

The London Plan (adopted 2021) forms part of the statutory development plan for the City of London and needs to be considered when considering development within the Conservation Area. The key policy is HC1 ‘Heritage conservation and growth’ in Chapter 7 ‘Heritage and Culture’.

City of London policy

Planning policy for the City of London is contained both within the current adopted Local Plan (2015) and in forthcoming Draft City Plan 2036. Development proposals within the Barbican and Golden Lane conservation area must be considered in the context of the policies of the Local Plan 2015 (so long as it remains in effect) and the Draft City Plan 2036.

For more information please see the Barbican and Golden Lane Draft Conservation Area SPD