Policy information sourced from Redbridge Local Plan

LP33: Heritage

The Council will ensure that the borough’s heritage assets and other properties of special character in the borough are conserved, protected and enhanced in a manner appropriate to their special interest, character or appearance and signifcance. In the following areas, the Council will protect the borough’s heritage assets by:

Conservation Areas

  • Supporting development proposals within Conservation Areas which preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area;
  • Supporting development proposals within Residential Precincts, that respect their intrinsic character;
  • Prioritising the conservation of heritage assets when considering the overall impact of development proposals upon their signifcance and importance;
  • Resisting development that does not preserve or enhance the character of designated heritage assets and refusing planning permission for development proposals that will result in harm to or the loss of the signifcance of a designated heritage asset, unless the developer can demonstrate that the proposal achieves public beneft that outweighs any harm to or loss of the heritage asset in accordance with paragraphs 133 and 134 of the NPPF; and
  • Requiring development proposals afecting heritage assets or their setting to provide a Conservation Statement containing a detailed understanding of their signifcance, demonstrating how the proposal will not harm the special interest or signifcance of the asset and, where possible, takes opportunities to enhance the asset or its setting.

Listed Buildings

  • Supporting development proposals for Statutory and Locally Listed Buildings which preserve the building, or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest it possesses;
  • Supporting development proposals for the reuse of vacant or underused listed buildings that contribute positively to the character of the borough, either individually or as part of wider strategies for regeneration; and
  • Supporting development proposals that secure the on-going use of heritage assets whilst preserving their special interest and signifcance.

Historic Parks & Gardens and Trees

  • Supporting Development proposals within Historic Parks and Gardens that respect the special historic character and quality of these areas, their setting or historic views or vistas; and
  • Supporting new development within the setting of a heritage asset, where it would not have an adverse impact on that setting or views to or from the heritage asset, or views of any open spaces, trees or street scenes that contribute positively to the heritage asset and its setting.

Archaeology

  • Requiring an archaeological evaluation that proposes efective mitigation measures for development proposals involving signifcant groundwork within Archaeological Priority Areas (as identifed on the Policies Map), or in other areas with archaeological interest. Provision should be made for on-site investigations that include the recording of archaeological evidence within the afected area;
  • The Council will resist development which impacts substantially on archaeological assets of national signifcance; and
  • Where appropriate, public interpretation, access and exhibition of artefacts will be required through appropriate planning conditions.

Implementation

The Council will implement national and regional policies, (in particular section 12 of the NPPF and work with partners (including land owners, agencies, public organisations and the community) to proactively protect, preserve and enhance all of the borough’s heritage assets;

The Council may also consider the use of Article 4 Directions in order to protect heritage assets from inappropriate development or their setting, that may cause damage to or demolition of the heritage asset, whether it is a designated area of special character, or an individual or group of statutory or locally listed buildings;

Develop criteria for the designation of Conservation Areas in the borough, directed by advice and guidance from Historic England and the heritage sector. Proposals for new conservation areas and reviews of existing areas and their boundaries where appropriate will be judged against the criteria;

Produce Conservation Area Character Appraisals that identify the special character or appearance of areas. Conservation Area Management Proposals will also be produced that address the threats and opportunities identifed within the Character Appraisals and contain proposals that will seek to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of each area. Where considered appropriate, these documents will be prepared and adopted as supplementary planning documents;

Develop criteria for the designation of non-statutory local lists and non-statutory designations including The Local List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest in the borough and Residential Precincts. Proposals for new additions and designations and reviews of existing ones will be judged against the criteria;

Where appropriate, produce areaspecifc standards, such as design guidance, to address issues identifed in Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Proposals and the Characterisation Study (2014);

Work with owners, the heritage sector, bodies providing grant funding and local communities to fnd viable solutions that secure the long-term future of heritage assets on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register;

Support appropriate initiatives which increase access to historic assets, provide learning opportunities and maximise their potential as heritage attractions;

Seek new ways to record and recognise Redbridge’s built and other heritage resources and, where possible, open up wider public access to them;

Consider and respond to the signifcance of heritage assets in any delivery plans prepared and adopted as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) in support of this Local Plan or any Area Action Plans; and

Where archaeological sites are identifed and are considered to be nationally important, provision will be made for their preservation in-situ. Where archaeological sites are of less importance planning conditions will be used to achieve appropriate archaeological recording. Where signifcant archaeology is to be recorded appropriate planning conditions may be used to achieve public and community archaeology, such as site visits, school projects, popular publications and web resources.

For more information please see the Local Plan