Making Spaces for Growing Places

MSGP25 Conservation and Enhancement of Heritage Assets

  1. The alteration, extension or restoration of heritage assets will be permitted where it sustains, conserves and, where appropriate, enhances the significance, appearance, character and setting of the identified heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their conservation, and the surrounding historic environment. Where appropriate, with regard to the nature and significance of the heritage asset, development will:

    i. conserve built fabric and architectural detailing that contributes to the heritage assets significance and character;

    ii. repair damaged features or reinstate missing features and architectural detailing which contribute to the heritage assets significance;

    iii. conserve and enhance the spaces between and around buildings including gardens, boundaries, driveways and footpaths;

    iv. remove additions or modifications which are considered harmful to the significance of the heritage asset;

    v. ensure that additions to heritage assets are appropriate in scale, mass, footprint, materials and architectural detailing and do not harm the significance of the heritage asset;
    vi. bring vacant floorspace back into use in a flexible and innovative manner which is sensitive to the significance of the heritage asset;

    vii. only consider the use of facadism of built heritage assets as a last resort, where the internal features have been lost or significantly altered, and the exterior of the building makes a positive contribution to the street scene and character of the surrounding area

    viii. be accompanied by a Buildings Recording exercise to inform the design of any conversion or demolition scheme, where appropriate; and

    ix. submit any heritage reports for inclusion in the Tyne and Wear Historic Environment Record (HER).

  2. Development within the setting of a heritage asset will not be permitted if the development: dominates the asset or its setting in scale, materials or as a result of siting; or is harmful to its significance.

  3. Development which results in the sub-division of gardens and grounds within Conservation Areas will be permitted where:

    i. there is historic evidence to demonstrate that the garden or ground was previously sub-divided into physically separate plots; or

    ii. the development will not harm the historic environment; or

    iii. the development contributes to the restoration of a historic garden or parkland.