11.1.1 The Borough enjoys a wide diversity of built character. Many of the oldest settlements in the Borough are located close to the River Thames, which has played an important role in its economic and cultural development. For example, both the villages of Hurley and Datchet pre-date Roman occupation and continue to be thriving communities due in part to the advantages of a riverside location.
11.1.2 The Borough is steeped in history; the area has evolved around old settlement patterns, and receives its royal title from strong connections with the Crown. Windsor Castle is a prominent medieval building of international importance located in the wider floodplain of the River Thames built on an outcrop of chalk, and influenced the development of the town for trade and more recently tourism.
11.1.3 The character and diversity of its urban and rural areas, and its high quality historic built environment and archaeological sites make the Borough very distinctive. This character can vary settlement to settlement. The scale and extent of the Borough’s 27 Conservation Areas vary from small hamlets (such as White Waltham) to villages (such as Cookham Dean) and towns like Windsor; all of which have unique historic and architectural interest. There are currently:
In addition to designated heritage assets, there are many non-designated heritage assets of local value. These form an important part of the historical and cultural fabric of the Borough. The preparation of a local list that details local heritage assets will be one of the outcomes related to the Heritage Strategy and this local list will be updated via the Annual Monitoring Report. However, non-designated heritage assets may also be discovered through a number of different processes, including the making of neighbourhood plans, Conservation Area appraisals or through the consideration of planning applications.
11.2.1 The objective of conserving and enhancing the special qualities of the Borough’s built and natural environment can be achieved through ensuring that development proposals respect both individual identity and the sense of place. The historic environment is irreplaceable and meeting this objective is essential to ensure that residents, visitors and future generations can enjoy the historic environment of the Borough in the future.
11.2.2 Heritage assets are defined as a building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions because of its heritage interest. This includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the Council as local planning authority (including local listing).
11.2.3 The evidence base comprises the Historic Environment Record maintained by Berkshire Archaeology and the Heritage at Risk Register maintained by Historic England. This register is published annually and in 2016 there were four heritage assets identified as being at risk in the Borough. The Borough also has a Townscape Assessment that provides useful descriptions and information about those urban and suburban areas not lying within the Green Belt.
11.2.4 The character of villages and hamlets in the countryside are defined in the Landscape Character Assessment.
11.2.5 The Borough has also undertaken Conservation Area Appraisals for many of the Conservation Areas. These appraisals will be used to guide the design of development proposals, and to help determine the appropriateness of development involving or in proximity to heritage assets. Conservation Areas will be subject to a rolling programme of Conservation Area Appraisals. A list of all the Conservation Areas in the Borough can be found on the Council's website.
11.2.6 In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Borough considers its heritage assets to be “an irreplaceable resource” and it will protect all heritage assets in line with their significance. All development proposals will be expected to have regard to both the national and local historic contexts. The Council will encourage pre application discussions and all applications involving works to heritage assets should be accompanied by full details of existing and proposed works, and a Heritage Statement. The latter should explain the significance of the asset, consider and assess the impact of the proposed work on the asset, fully justify any resultant harm and where appropriate propose suitable mitigation works. The Council will not accept outline applications for works that affect designated heritage assets.
11.2.7 Given the history and geology of Borough, it is likely that many development sites will be archeologically sensitive. Where sites are identified as sensitive the Council will expect the developer to liaise at the earliest opportunity with Historic England in the case of SAMs, and Berkshire Archaeology elsewhere, and to provide a desktop assessment of the site as part of any application submission.
11.2.8 The Council will monitor buildings or other heritage assets at risk through neglect, decay or other threats. Furthermore, the Council will proactively seek solutions for assets at risk through discussions with owners, through a willingness to consider positively development schemes that would ensure the repair and maintenance of the asset, and, as a last resort, using its statutory powers.
11.2.9 Further details of how the Historic Environment policies will be implemented will be set out in the Heritage Strategy Supplementary Planning Document and related workstreams.
Policy HE 1 Historic Environment
|
11.4.1 Windsor Castle, home to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is one of the most recognisable heritage assets in the United Kingdom. Dating from 1165 the Castle and most of the buildings within the walls are Grade 1 Listed Buildings and therefore in the top 2.5% of all Listed Buildings in the country. Windsor Castle is both the largest inhabited castle in the world and the longest occupied Royal Palace in Europe whilst also being a Royal home. Windsor Great Park is also Grade 1 Listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
11.4.2 Windsor Castle is of extreme importance to the Borough, not only because of its historical and cultural significance but also the role that it has as a major visitor attraction. Visitors to Windsor and the surrounding areas make a substantial contribution to the ongoing success of the local economy. The Castle and its setting within The Great Park are visible to and from a large area, and these views provide the background setting for the buildings and its immediate surrounds.
11.4.3 The Palace of Windsor Castle is owned by the Occupied Royal Palaces Estate on behalf of the nation and Windsor Great Park is managed by the Crown Estate. Both Windsor Castle and the Great Park are considered to be ‘Crown Land’ which is defined in Section 293 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as land in which there is a Crown interest or a Duchy interest. From 2006 Crown land no longer enjoys immunity from planning control although there are some exceptions.
11.4.4 There are provisions and arrangements in place to help facilitate development and restrict access to sensitive information in the interests of national security and defence including additional permitted development rights. These rights which are set out in Part 19 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development)(England) Order 2015 make provision for the Crown and other Crown bodies to carry out certain types of development without a planning application needing to be made and this includes emergency development and development for national security purposes.
11.4.5 The setting of Windsor Castle and Home Park sits within the wider setting of the Great Park. Both Home Park and Windsor Great Park are included on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens and therefore benefit from added protection due to this status.
Policy HE 2 Windsor Castle and Great Park
|
< Previous | ^ Top | Next >