Policy information sourced from the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1

CC4 - HERITAGE

Our approach

We will identify, conserve and take opportunities to enhance the significance of the borough’s heritage assets as a positive means of supporting an area’s distinctive character and sense of history.

We will achieve this by

  • Collating a borough-wide Heritage Strategy to guide a long-term, ambitious strategy for the continued conservation, enhancement and enjoyment of the significance of the borough’s heritage assets, in consultation with the borough’s local history societies and residents;
  • Conserving and taking opportunities to enhance the significance of the borough’s network of designated and non-designated heritage assets and their settings, identifying new assets where appropriate and recognising the cumulative positive impact of heritage assets in a given area in consultation with the borough’s local history societies and residents. We will use Article 4 directions where appropriate to enhance conservation of character or fabric;
  • Promoting heritage-led regeneration, particularly where this brings long term value and sense of place to development, such as in our town centres and along the Golden Mile. We will aim to secure the regeneration of heritage assets at risk, including those within Gunnersbury Park, Hanworth Park, Boston Manor House and the former Hounslow Powder Mills sites;
  • Working with Royal Botanic Gardens Kew World Heritage Site, London Borough of Richmond and Historic England to conserve and enhance the outstanding universal values of The Royal Botanical Gardens Kew World Heritage Site, its buffer zone and its setting, including views to and from this asset. This includes assisting in the implementation of the World Heritage Site Management Plan;
  • Promoting the appropriate re-use of historic buildings and supporting schemes that conserve the significance of, and provide the heritage asset with a sustainable, long-term use;
  • Working with our network of partners to ensure the borough’s heritage is accessible, appreciated, valued and enjoyed by residents, workers and visitors;
  • Conserving and enhancing the strategic and local views identified in the Urban Context and Character Study that give the borough its character, visual richness and coherence; and by maintaining and updating a schedule of views; and
  • Conserving and enhancing the borough’s beneficial and historic landmarks identified in the Urban Context and Character Study, which provide a strong visual and physical presence in the townscape.

We will expect development proposals to

  • Conserve and take opportunities to enhance any heritage asset and its setting in a manner appropriate to its significance;
  • Retain, conserve and reuse a heritage asset in a manner appropriate to its value and significance;
  • Demonstrate that substantial harm to or loss of a heritage asset is avoided, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated, consistent with the NPPF;
  • Demonstrate that where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset (see Glossary), this harm will be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal, including securing its optimum viable use; or
  • Have regard to any harm to, or loss of, the significance of a non-designated heritage asset, including from both direct and indirect effects. Non-designated heritage assets include locally listed buildings, Archaeological Priority Areas and areas of special local character.

Buildings and structures

  • In the case of alterations, extensions or changes of use of a heritage asset a proposal should demonstrate that:
    • It is in keeping with the character of the building and harmonious with its surroundings and the wider character of the area; and, with particular respect to listed buildings or identified aspects of locally listed buildings, it preserves their special architectural or historic character and any features they may possess;
    • It is of a high quality design and sympathetic in terms of scale and form to the original building and in the use of materials and other details to the period and style of the original building;
    • Opportunities to mitigate or adapt to climate change through the re-use or adaptation are maximised as long as this is not to the detriment of important aspects of character;
    • That it maintains the character of interiors and retain internal features of interest including layouts, methods and means of construction where these are important;
    • That the original use is no longer viable and the benefits of the proposed use are demonstrated and would be in keeping with the character of the area; and
    • That a record is made and submitted of features of interest found, to be maintained and extended during works. Sustainability and salvage aspects should be factored into proposals.

Conservation areas

  • Any development within or affecting a Conservation Area must conserve and take opportunities to enhance the character of the area, and respect the grain, scale, form, proportions and materials of the surrounding area and existing architecture; and
  • Retain and reuse any building in a conservation area which makes or can be adapted to make a positive contribution to the character of the area. Where a building makes little contribution to the area, consent for demolition will not be given unless there are approved plans for redevelopment or reuse of the land which will conserve and enhance the character of the area. Sustainability and salvage aspects should be factored into proposals.

World Heritage Site

  • Conserve and enhance the internationally recognised Outstanding Universal Value of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew World Heritage Site, its buffer zone and its setting, including views to and from the site.

Sites of archaeological importance

  • We will expect the development proposal to submit an Archaeological Evaluation Report if the proposal falls within or adjacent to an Archaeological Priority Area;
  • We may require that an on-site assessment by trial work (archaeological field evaluation) is carried out before any decision on the planning application is taken; and
  • We will require any nationally important remains and their settings to be preserved permanently in situ, subject to consultation with Historic England as the borough’s archaeological adviser. If preservation in situ is required the development proposal will need to accommodate this in the design.

Scheduled ancient monuments

  • Conserve and enhance a scheduled ancient monument and its setting if affected. Proposals must assess and submit an evaluation report if the proposal affects a scheduled ancient monument.

Strategic and local views

  • Conserve and enhance any strategic or local views identified in the Urban Context and Character Study and undertake a visual impact assessment to demonstrate no adverse impacts on the designated view or on views from Royal Botanic Gardens Kew World Heritage Site.

Registered parks and gardens

  • Consider adding to the list and encouraging preservation and enhancement through appropriate management measures.

Listed Buildings at Risk

  • Continue to assist with Historic England’s Register of Heritage at Risk, adding items where necessary but seeking their removal by developing a proactive strategy for working with owners to ensure the continued conservation of the significance of the boroughs heritage assets.

For more information please see the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1