PROPOSED CONSERVATION AREA FOR BOZEAT - the original consulation information following the public exibition with additional information below:

Alex Stevenson wrote: I wanted to take the opportunity to respond to some of the issues and concerns raised following the initial public exhibition in September 2009 which presented the proposed Conservation Area for Bozeat.

The proposed area is too large.
The draft area proposed now omits the area between Bull Close and the Pitfield and the houses from The Orchard to Harrold Road.

Suggestions for additions.
3 Manor Close has been added in view of its historic association with Manor Farmhouse. However, the extra land behind the former Chequers PH has not been included as it has no apparent historic value. The old terraced houses in London Road are omitted as the conservation area runs out of character immediately south of (and including) Selby Gardens.

Suggestions for exclusion.

The houses in Church Farm Close and the bungalows in Church Walk need to be included or else there would be a hole in the Conservation Area. The idea is that the Conservation Area Appraisal identifies the buildings as “not reflecting the local vernacular” and indicates that opportunities would be sought in the future to improve the built form in redevelopment schemes as appropriate. The same rationale applies to the inclusion of the properties in Warners Hill.

Imposition of restrictions and general bureaucratic control.

The Borough Council wishes to see gradual improvements to the village through sensitive development and property alterations which reinforce its historic character and appearance. There is no way of achieving this other than by imposing controls and restrictions. Poor quality development should actually be unacceptable anywhere, whether a site is in a Conservation Area or not. It was suggested that the planning system as it stands ought to be sufficiently robust to prevent inappropriate development. It is demonstrable that this is not the case in the village and that, again, design/quality standards need to be imposed to avoid this in the future. One of the main benefits of Conservation Area designation is restrictions over demolition. At present any non-listed building can be demolished without requiring the Council’s consent, whereas designation allows the Council to negotiate the form of replacement buildings as a precursor to demolition.

The character of the village has already been destroyed.

It is accepted that the character of the village has been compromised by some modern insensitive development, but this is reversible. The historic street layout and built form in the central core is generally in a good standard of preservation. Conservation Area status would allow the Borough Council to insist on higher quality development schemes when negotiating with applicants/developers.

The village would be a target for development without a Conservation Area.

As much ammunition as possible is needed to combat mediocre/poor development and design, and to stop inappropriate demolition of the village’s historic fabric. Conservation Area status would clearly assist in these respects.

The revised draft of the Conservation Area Appraisal will be considered by the Borough Council’s Development Committee on 16th March 2010. Assuming that the proposal is approved, a formal consultation process involving all residents in the designation area will take place immediately.

Alex Stevenson
Design and Conservation Officer
Borough Council of Wellingborough

November 2010 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & CONSULTATION

Alex Stevenson wrote:   At the Bozeat Parish Council open public meeting on 28 July 2010 that I attended along with Councillor Graham Lawman, the Chairman of the Borough Council’s Development Committee, it transpired that a number of residents in the proposed Conservation Area did not receive the letter of 19 May. I of course apologize for this oversight. The present letter and its contents are intended to remedy that situation and also provide all residents and other occupiers in the proposed designation area with significant additional information, as follows:

• ENCLOSURE 1. The draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal, complete with new annotated photographs and the accompanying map. [See also note below].

• ENCLOSURE 2. The explanatory document: The Planning Implications of living within a Conservation Area.

• ENCLOSURE 3. A “Frequently Asked Questions” sheet covering specific issues and objections raised either at the public meeting or as written representations received, and the Council’s response thereto.

Further advice is available from Alex Stevenson, the Design and Conservation Officer,
Telephone 01933 231925 or email:   astevenson@wellingborough.gov.uk

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At the time of this update, the ”Conservation Area Character Appraisal, complete with new
annotated photographs” referred to in Enclosure 1 above, has not been received by the team.
 
The map is available to view by clicking the link, but if you live outside of the proposed Conservation Area and wish to view the proposals, you are able to request your own copy. Please click to email Alex Stevenson for this information if you would like to read it, or have any other queries, or contact Lyndis,  the Clerk to the Parish Council .

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