Agenda item

Report of Director of Planning and Regeneration

Cabinet noted the consultation feedback and approved officer responses to the detailed representations set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

Cabinet designated a conservation area that covered the area as shown in Appendix 4 of the report.

Cabinet agreed that the conservation area be named ‘The Boot and Shoe Quarter’

Cabinet agreed that the Director of Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Environment be delegated to approve the finalised Boot and Shoe Quarter Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

Councillor Beardsworth congratulated officers on the report and the consultation process that had been undertaken, and leant her support to the proposed Conservation Area. Referring to page 18 (Appendix 3) of the report, she suggested that old style lighting be fitted to enhance the street scene.

Councillor Glynane praised the work of officers and commented that Northampton had done well in preserving its heritage. He suggested that an action plan be drafted to help drive and promote the Conservation Area and recommended that the possibility of heritage walks and guides be explored. He further commented that the proposed Conservation Area would bring about opportunities for regeneration. He encouraged the motion of organising Conservation group to push forward the ideas encompassed in the report.

Councillor Wire DL commented that there had been considerable support for the proposed Conservation Area from the St James’ Residents Association but reported that he would have preferred to have seen the shoe factories, in St James, encompassed into the conservation area. In response, Councillor Hadland explained that to include Churches shoe factory into the area would not work aesthetically, but suggested that consideration could be given to making it a listed building in the future.

Councillor Strachan expressed his satisfaction of the report and commented that the Labour group supported it. He asked for clarification with regards to section 4.2.2 of the report and the ‘national permitted development rights’. He further questioned what plans would be put into place to ensure that the Council would be able to enforce issues related to the designation and asked if the Conservation Area would affect both internal and external parts of properties.

Councillor Yates, as the relevant Portfolio Holder, introduced and outlined the report. He explained that Northampton had emerged from a cottage industry and the heritage and history attached to the town should be regarded with utmost importance and the proposed Conservation Area would bolster the effort.

The Director of Planning and Regeneration explained that three options had been suggested and the consultation process had involved the distribution of 6,000 letters to residents.  Of those who responded, 73% showed preference to option 1 with the majority of people wanting the area named the Boot and Shoe Conservation Area. In response to the comments made by Councillor Beardsworth, it was noted that further thought would be given to the street lighting and consideration given to ensuring that it would be sympathetic to the area. Addressing the issues raised by Councillor Strachan it was explained that the Conservation Area would only affect the external aspects of buildings and that the ‘national permitted rights’ of residents would result in residents having to make submission/application for changes to their properties such as the installation of satellite dishes and other external alterations. Responding to Councillor Wire’s query, it was noted that should residents want to have the Churches Shoe factory listed as a building they would be able to make an application to English Heritage.

The Chairman commented that he was pleased with Conservation Area encompassing a larger area and encouraged the development of ensuring that the heritage of Northampton remained in tact.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the consultation feedback and approved officer responses to the detailed representations set out in Appendix 3 of the report be noted

2.      That a conservation area that covered the area as shown in Appendix 4 of the report be designated.

3.      That the conservation area be named ‘The Boot and Shoe Quarter’ be agreed.

4.      That the Director of Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Environment be delegated to approve the finalised Boot and Shoe Quarter Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan