Decision details

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Senior Planning Officer which sought adoption of the Oldham Town Centre Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), with the proposed extensions to the Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area boundary being designated under section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and treated as a material planning consideration, until formally adopted through the Local Plan

review process. This would allow the CAAMP to hold more weight in planning

decisions, including the proposed extensions, to help enhance Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area.

The Cabinet was informed that the SPD would provide further guidance on the relevant policies contained within the Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (the

Joint DPD) and, in particular it would assist council officers and applicants in implementing Policy 24 ‘Historic Environment’ in planning decisions and enforcement.

The CAAMP would provide up to date evidence to inform the Local Plan review and its implementation when adopted. It would also support the regeneration plans for Oldham Town Centre.

The CAAMP was a high priority as the Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area had been surveyed as part of the Historic England Heritage “At Risk” Assessment and had been included on the conservation area “At Risk” Register. An up to date CAAMP was required to reassess the designated area, and evaluate and record its special interest. The last conservation area appraisal for Oldham Town Centre had been published in April 1997.

The Cabinet was informed that four extensions were proposed to the existing Oldham Town Centre conservation area boundary.

·       High Street East and Parliament Square

·       Yorkshire Street, Retiro Street and Waterloo Street

·       Cultural Quarter

·       Harrison Street

Buildings had also been identified that could be added to a local list and a Management Plan had been developed, which set out policies and recommendations around enhancement, regeneration and community

engagement.

The appraisal had been prepared has been prepared as an SPD providing more detailed guidance to Policy 24 on the Historic Environment in

the adopted Local Plan. This would give the CAAMP more weight in planning decisions and enforcement action. The proposed extensions to the

conservation area would have to be formally adopted through the Local Plan and, until then, approval would enable them to be designated and treated as a material planning consideration in planning decisions, so that consideration would still be afforded to these areas recommended for inclusion within the conservation area.

Options/Alternatives considered:

·       Option 1 - To approve the CAAMP SPD and associated requirements.

·       Option 2 - To not approve the SPD and associated requirements.

RESOLVED that the adoption of the CAAMP SPD and associated requirements and designation of the proposed extensions be approved.