Draft Regulation 18 Sandwell Local Plan
Development in the Historic Environment
4.120 The NPPF states that plans should set out a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats.
4.121 To ensure that heritage assets make a positive contribution towards the wider economic, social and environmental regeneration of Sandwell, it is important that they are not considered in isolation but are conserved and enhanced within their wider context. A holistic approach to the built and natural environment maximises opportunities to improve the overall image and quality of life in Sandwell by ensuring that historic context informs planning decisions and provides opportunities to link with other environmental infrastructure initiatives.
Policy SHE2 – Development in the Historic Environment
- New development in Sandwell that impacts on the historic environment should demonstrate that:
- all aspects of the historic character and distinctiveness of the locality, including any contribution made by their setting, and (where applicable) views into, from, or within them, have been fully assessed and used to inform proposals; and
- proposals have been prepared with full reference to the Black Country Historic Landscape Characterisation Study (October 2019), the Historic Environment Record, relevant conservation area appraisals and national and local policy.
- Development proposals that could have an impact on the historic significance[73] of either designated heritage assets[74] or non-designated heritage assets[75] should be supported by evidence that their historic character and distinctiveness has been fully assessed and used to inform proposals.
- Historic assets that contribute positively to the local character and distinctiveness of Sandwell's specific townscapes should be retained and, wherever possible, enhanced and their settings respected.
- The locally specific urban grain, vernacular and other architectural and historic details that contribute to local character and distinctiveness should be used to inform the form, scale, appearance, details, and materials of new development.
- All proposals should aim to sustain and reinforce special character and conserve the locally distinctive historic aspects of Sandwell; for example:
- The surviving pre-industrial settlements of medieval origin such as Wednesbury and Oldbury;
- Areas of Victorian and Edwardian higher-density development, which survive with a high degree of integrity, including terraced housing and its associated amenities, such as residential areas within West Bromwich Conservation Area;
- Areas of extensive lower density suburban development of the early and mid-20th century, including public housing and private developments of semi-detached and detached housing;
- Public open spaces, including Victorian and Edwardian municipal parks, often created upon land retaining elements of relict industrial landscape features such as Windmill End;
- The canal network and its associated infrastructure, surviving canal-side pre-1939 buildings and structures, and archaeological evidence of the development of canal-side industries and former canal routes;
- Buildings, structures and archaeological remains of the traditional industries of Sandwell, including metal trades like chain-making and extractive industries such as quarrying on the Rowley Hills;
- The Rowley Hills (Turners Hill) and other largely undeveloped high prominences and views to and from these locations.
Justification
4.122 It is important to recognise that the historic character of Sandwell is made up of various heritage assets. Individually, some of these may be more important than others, but even the lesser ones are important in contributing to the borough's overall character and quality.
4.123 Different elements of the historic environment need to be taken into consideration, conserved and enhanced where possible as part of any proposed development in the area. Guidance for this can be obtained through a wide range of existing resources, such as landscape character assessments, conservation area appraisals, listed building and scheduled ancient monuments information and archaeological records; but it is also usually necessary to undertake a heritage impact assessment.
4.124 The Black Country Historic Landscape Characterisation (2009), along with other urban historic landscape characterisation studies, has provided a key evidence base to inform an understanding of the historic character of the Black Country. This work was built upon during the preparation of the Black Country Historic Landscape Characterisation Study (2019)[76]. This was a review of the existing historic environment evidence base carried out to identify areas of significance to the historic environment, based upon the area's historic landscape and townscape, as well as its archaeological and designed landscape value.
[73] NPPF Annex 2 - Significance: The value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. The interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic, or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset's physical presence, but also from its setting.
[74] NPPF 2021 Annex 2 - Designated heritage asset: A World Heritage Site, Scheduled Monument, Listed Building, Protected Wreck Site, Registered Park and Garden, Registered Battlefield or Conservation Area designated under the relevant legislation
[75] NPPF 2 2021 Annex 2- Heritage asset: 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. It includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing).