Agenda item - Introduction to the Heritage Strategy - verbal presentation

17.1    Councillor Evans requested an early introduction to the Heritage Strategy at Place O&S Committee as the current strategy ends in 2025. Steve Tremlett presented the slides which outlined that the updated strategy will guide the management of the city’s historic environment, reflect new council priorities and Historic England regulations, and explore how heritage assets can support net zero goals, the capital asset strategy, tourism, and culture. Public consultation is planned for the autumn.

17.2    Councillor Parrott asked about conservation areas and the issue of preserving beautiful old houses and trying to meet regulations to improve the housing stock, such as EPC standards. Conservation rules make it very difficult for homeowners to tackle issues such as poor ventilation and mould.

17.3    Councillor Sykes said there is a lack of consistency in the enforcement of conservation regulations where residents must adhere to them but utility providers can dig up pavements to do works in a historic square and put them back however they like, for example using tarmac to replace historic paving stones. Max Woodford said this was a budget and resource issue and ideally, there would be one member of staff dedicated to this work. 

17.4    Councillor Fishleigh asked if supporting the capital asset strategy meant they would be looking at heritage buildings that can be sold. Max Woodford said that the document wouldn’t make decisions and would only be looking at the heritage assets owned by the council and what opportunities there are to breathe new life into them.

17.5    Mark Strong raised a point about climate change mitigation if heritage buildings end up under water or destroyed by storms or hot weather and that consideration needs to be given to this.

17.6    Councillor Loughran said that they could produce some guidance for developers to follow in terms of their approach to landscape and townscape visual assessments to combat discrepancies and create a more uniform approach.

17.7    Councillor Evans said we need to think about how to design the consultation to include lesser known heritage assets that people might not be aware of. Councillor Allen added that he has been in contact with the Diocese to ensure that heritage buildings they are responsible for are also properly preserved.