Issue - meetings

That Members agree one of the following options:

·       Option 1:

o   Agree the draft Conservation Area Appraisal Programme based on chronological order in Appendix 1.

·       Option 2:

o   Agree the Conservation Area Appraisal Programme in Appendix 1 with the Heronsgate Conservation Area Appraisal update being prioritised to follow after the ongoing Rickmansworth Conservation Area Appraisal update.

·       Option 3:

o   Agree the Conservation Area Appraisal Programme in Appendix 1 with the Heronsgate Conservation Area Appraisal update prioritised to follow after the two Sarratt Conservation Area Appraisal updates.

The Committee considered a report on the Conservation Area Appraisal Programme. Officers advised that the Heronsgate Conservation Area Appraisal adopted in draft form in 2012 had never been formally adopted and required updating to reflect current Historic England Guidance.

Members discussed the relative priority of the Heronsgate and Sarratt Conservation Area Appraisals and the impact of officer capacity constraints. Extensive debate took place regarding previously published programme commitments, local planning pressures affecting Sarratt and the planning significance of the existing conservation area documents.

Officers advised that the principal constraint was officer capacity rather than budget and that Local Plan work had significantly affected progress. Further clarification was provided regarding the status of existing conservation area guidance and its continued relevance as a material planning consideration.

Following discussion, the committee agreed that the current Rickmansworth appraisal should proceed as planned and that the two Sarratt appraisals should follow before Heronsgate.

On being put to the vote, the recommendations were declared CARRIED, the voting being by General Assent.

RESOLVED:

That the appraisal programme be amended so that, following completion of the Rickmansworth Conservation Area Appraisal, the two Sarratt Conservation Area Appraisals be undertaken before the Heronsgate Conservation Area Appraisal.