Conservation Advice and Design Advice

Improving the Design Quality of New Development

Built Environment

A Design and Access Statement is required to be submitted with all applications for planning permission, Listed Building and Conservation Area Consents, however there are some exceptions.  A Design and Access Statement is not required for any of the following application types:-

Engineering or mining works;

Material changes of use of land or buildings;

Householder applications (extensions/alterations), unless the property is in a Conservation Area.

Any application received without such a Statement, unless they fall into the three categories above, will not be validated and registered for processing.  This will result in a delay in dealing with the application.

Content of the Design and Access Statement 

The detail required in the Design and Access Statement will depend on the scale and complexity of the application.  Statements should reflect the type of development and the issues arising from the application.

The Design part of the Statement should cover the following:-

Context - how the physical and policy context has influenced the design;

Amount - the size of development on the site;

Use - what the building(s) and spaces will be used for;

Scale - height, width and length of each building, space between buildings and how the relate to adjacent buildings;

Appearance - What the finished building and space will look like;

Landscaping - How the space will be treated to enhance and protect the character of the area.

The Access part of the Statement should cover the following:- 

Policy - how account has been taken of local policy;

Consultation - what, if any, consultation has been carried out for access and what account has been taken of consultation; 

Site Specific Issues - how any issues that affect access, (roads, footpaths, sightlines, levels etc), movement around the site and access for emergency vehicles have been taken into account.

Where an application for Listed Building Consent is involved, the Design component should also include:-

An explanation how the design approach has taken account of paragraph 305 of Planning Policy Guidance 15, Planning and the Historic Environment and in particular:-

The historic and architectural importance of the building;

The physical features of the building which justify it's listing;

The setting of the building.

Best Practice Guidance 

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), have produced a best practice guidance called, Design and Access Statements, how to write, read and use them, which is available to download or for more information visit their website at www.cabe.org.uk

 Trees

Trees in Conservation Areas designated by the Local Authority] prohibits their cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage, or wilful destruction. Letters of notification to fell or prune protected trees are considered following the submission of the relevant application details.

Anyone can submit a letter of notification to fell or prune a protected tree by giving the Local Authority six weeks notice of their intention to carry out tree works.

Letters of notification should be made in writing to the Local Authority Forestry Officer, PO Box 604, Barnsley, S70 9FE. When notification has been received the Forestry Officer will visit the site and draw up a report for the Planning Committee or Senior Officers to decide upon.

 Forestry Officer (01226) 772557

 Opening Times are:

9.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday - Thursday

9.00 am - 4.30 pm Friday

 Information is available  via Planning and Transportation Reception,Civic, Eldon Street, Barnsley,  and via the website, click on the associated link.

 In the case of a letter of notification to fell or prune trees within a Conservation Area the target date is within 6 weeks.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I obtain advice on trees on private property?
Local Tree Surgeons offer a free advisory service to members of the public. A limited list of these is available from the Forestry Officer to request a copy e-mail: developmentcontrol@barnsley.gov.uk

Where are the Conservation Areas with the Barnsley area?
There are 18 Conservation Areas within the Barnsley borough, click on the associated link to view their locations.

 

Related Links:

• ODPM

 

Last modified on 10/10/2008