Regulatory Protection for Heritage Areas and Historic Trees
There are numerous official documents that highlight the determination of both central and local government to protect heritage.
Conservation areas
The key local document here is the Greater Norwich Local Plan, adopted recently in March 2024. This detailed well-researched document sets out the latest strategic thinking and related policies of Norwich City Council. Relevant excerpts can be found here.
The setting of heritage properties is emphasised, urging consideration of “the impact of development on thxe setting of a heritage asset, which can contribute to its significance, and can be undermined by proposals that have substantial mass or height that contrasts with neighbouring historic buildings and the wider area.”
Where development is to take place, the strategy highlights not just conservation, but enhancement. “All the different elements of the historic environment need to be taken into consideration and conserved and enhanced where possible as part of the development of the area.”
The strategy makes specific reference to the potential undermining of a heritage setting through excessive mass, or height, and the need for any assessment to “include the impact of development on the setting of a heritage asset, which can contribute to its significance, and can be undermined by proposals that have substantial mass or height that contrasts with neighbouring historic buildings and the wider area.”
Heritage
DM9 of Norwich City Council’s Development Management Policies Plan. Para 9.5 refers to the listed buildings of Norwich and states that the City Council will ‘promote the repair, reuse and enhancement of the setting of Listed Buildings’, while developments resulting in substantial harm will only be permitted exceptionally.
Chapter 16 of Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Paras 194 to 196 are the most relevant. They highlight that a heritage conservation assessment needs to make a ‘clear and convincing justification’ of the changes proposed. Applications need to be aware of the balance of arguments - of both the positives and the negatives.
English Heritage (now Historic England), Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance 2018, especially the sections on Assessing Heritage Significance and Managing Change to Significant Places
Historic England Advice Note 2, Making Changes to Heritage Assets, Feb 2016. This is laid out in three sections covering Repair, Restoration and Additions and Alterations; each are relevant to the any work on heritage properties in our area.
Protection of Trees and the Natural Environment
Policy DM6 (Protecting and enhancing the natural environment) states that ‘development will be expected to take all reasonable opportunities to avoid harm to and protect the natural environment of Norwich and its setting, including both sites and species.’
Policy DM7 covers Trees and Development.