Decision Details

Rebecca Styles

High Street Heritage Action Zone Project Officer

rebecca.styles@eastsuffolk.gov.uk

1. That the South Lowestoft/Kirkley Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan attached at Appendix C of report ES/0998 be adopted. 

2. That the extension of the South Lowestoft/Kirkley Conservation Area as shown on the map attached at Appendix A of report ES/0998 and including those properties and land included in the schedule attached at Appendix D of report ES/0998 be agreed. 

3. That the Head of Planning and Coastal Management, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning and Coastal Management, be authorised to make any presentational or typographical amendments to the South Lowestoft/Kirkley Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan prior to it being published.

Under section 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 East Suffolk Council has a statutory duty to draw up and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of Conservation Areas in its district from time to time.

The document will assist in delivery of the Strategic Plan 2020-2024, by supporting delivery of T01 Growing Our Economy of the Strategic Plan, priority of P03.

 “Protection and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment.” The secondarily support the delivery of priority P01 Build the right Environment for East Suffolk, as it serves to support the policies in the “Up to date local plans proving a strategy for growth and place making.”

 The document supports the implementation of the Policy WLP8.39 – Conservation Areas in the Waveney Local Plan by providing “relevant Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans”.

 Officers judged that the public consultation exercise undertaken had demonstrated that, amongst those who responded that there was a majority in support of the proposals.  

 Officers judged the proposed extensions, which covered properties and land, were required as these areas had been assessed as part of a boundary review and found them to be of a quality equal to that within the existing boundary. Their character contributes positively to the existing Conservation Area which the preservation or enhancement of as part of the Conservation Area would be desirable. 

An alternative option was to not adopt the updated appraisal and continue to use the existing South Lowestoft Conservation Area Appraisal dated March 2007.  However, this would have been a missed opportunity to provide updated and relevant information on the area that will take account of changed national guidance, the adoption of the Waveney Local Plan and changed circumstances on the ground.