Policy information sourced from the Woking Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD)

DM20: Heritage assets and their settings - Listed Buildings

A proposal affecting the character, appearance and/or setting of heritage assets17 will be required to show:

  1. that the works or development preserve and/or enhance the heritage asset and/or its setting in terms of quality of design and layout (scale, form, bulk, height, character, street pattern and features), materials (colour and texture) and historic street pattern of the area;
  2. how relevant features and elements that contribute to the heritage asset’s significance and character will be conserved and/or reinstated if they have been lost. This includes chimneys, windows and doors, boundary treatments, original roof coverings, as well as internal features such as fireplaces, plaster cornices, doors, architraves, panelling and any walls in Listed Buildings;
  3. where appropriate, that external elements such as street furniture, lighting and paving are sympathetically designed (further guidance is provided within the Design SPD);
  4. that it would not have an adverse impact on views of or from the heritage asset or of the open spaces, trees or street scene which contributes positively to any asset and its setting; and
  5. that the use of the heritage asset is compatible with the conservation of its significance (i.e. uses that are not compatible with or damaging to the significance of the asset should be avoided). In appropriate cases the relaxation of policies controlling change of use may be considered to secure the retention of the building.

The Council will not permit the demolition of heritage assets except in exceptional circumstances. Where partial or total demolition of a heritage asset is permitted in exceptional circumstances, a high standard of design will be required in any replacement building. Where possible, special elements of the building should be salvaged and re-used in the development scheme. The applicant will also be required to:

  1. instigate a programme of recording of the lost asset; and
  2. ensure the publication of that record in an appropriate form.

For more information please see the Development Plan Document