Development proposals likely to affect the significance of a heritage asset, including the contribution made by its setting, should be accompanied by a description of its significance in sufficient detail to allow the potential impacts to be adequately assessed. As a minimum the Surrey Historic Environment Record should be consulted. Where there is potential for heritage assets with archaeological interest to be affected, this description should be informed by available evidence, desk-based assessment and, where appropriate, field evaluation to establish the significance of known or potential heritage assets.

The sympathetic and creative reuse and adaptation of heritage assets which provide a sustainable future for a heritage asset will be encouraged, where the proposed new use is consistent with conservation of the asset. The delivery of enabling development within the setting of heritage assets which make a positive contribution to, or better reveal the significance of the heritage assets will be encouraged.

The total loss of a designated heritage asset will be exceptional. Where a material change to, or the whole or partial loss of, a heritage asset has been approved through the Development Management process, recording and interpretation shall be undertaken prior to and during the course of implementation of the works to document and understand the asset’s archaeological, architectural, artistic, cultural or historic significance. The scope of the recording should be proportionate to the asset’s significance and the impact of the development on the asset. The information and understanding gained should be made publicly available, as a minimum through Surrey’s Historic Environment Record and where appropriate at the asset itself through on-site interpretation or use of a public depository.

The council will seek to avoid heritage assets becoming ‘at risk’ in the future. Where evidence of neglect is reported, or becomes apparent, the council will make contact with owners to draw their attention to the risks to their property, suggest appropriate measures and find out their plans for maintenance and reuse. The council will seek to facilitate the bringing back into appropriate use of any vacant heritage assets (listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas), in order to minimise future risks to the significance of the building.

For more information please see the Local Plan