Policy DBC5: Lower Cumnor Hill/Third Acre Rise Area of Special Local Character
- The Neighbourhood Plan designates land at Lower Cumnor Hill and Third Acre Rise, as shown on the Policies Maps (page 63) and Map 11 below, as an Area of Special Local Character.1 for the application of national decision-making policies on non-designated heritage assets.
Development proposals located within this area should demonstrate that they have paid full regard to the characteristics that contribute to the significance of its local architectural and historic interest.The effect which development proposals would have on the character of the Area of Special Local Character will be taken into account in determining the planning applications concerned. In weighing proposals that directly or indirectly affect the character or appearance of the Area of Special Local Character, a balanced judgement will be taken having regard to the scale of any harm or loss to its character or appearance and the public benefits which may otherwise arise from the proposed development.
- See, for example, https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/local/ accessed 11/09/2020 ↩︎
- This policy recognises the distinct character of the area of Lower Cumnor Hill and Third Acre Rise. It has considerable local importance in terms of its low-density nature, the character of individual properties, the relationship between the houses and their gardens, the topography of the area and its open spaces
- Development proposals within the Area of Special Local Character are expected to
respond positively to these very distinctive features.accord with national policies on non-designated heritage assets which currently includes National Policies HE4 Securing the conservation and enhancement of heritage assets, HE5 Assessing effects on heritage assets and HE7 Decisions on non-designated heritage assets. Provision HE7 is clear that a scheme which would improve or benefit a non-designated heritage asset should generally be approved. A scheme which would damage or destroy these assets, should only go ahead if the benefits of the development are greater than the importance of what would be lost (which also reflects para. 216 of the 2024 NPPF).Part C of the policy comments about the way in which any proposed harm to its character would be assessed against any wider public benefits which may arise from the development.