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may be helpful to provide some context to the
situation by outlining the present national and
district planning policies and providing links to
further sources of information. A brief summary
of current planning guidance is presented in
Appendix A.
Conservation Area and
Listed Buildings
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
does not restrict development from taking
place in a Conservation Area (CA). However
it does require that the historic environment
is preserved, so any development should be
designed to protect and enhance the character
and appearance of the Conservation Area.
Almost all of the village of Preston on
Stour has been designated a Conservation
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of special architectural or historic interest,
the character and appearance of which it is
desirable to preserve or enhance.” (Planning
[Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas] Act
1990). This means that there are additional
requirements with regard to obtaining planning
permission. This also applies to ‘permitted
development’ which, outside a CA, may
normally be allowable without permission. In
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approval to extend or demolish a part of any
property within a CA and one must notify SDC
if tree felling or pruning is desired, even for a
tree which is not covered by a Tree Preservation
Order. Information on the requirements can
be obtained from Stratford District Council
Planning Department.
Additionally, a large number of buildings
within the parish are recorded as Listed. These
are structures that the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport considers to be of
special architectural or historic interest. This
status offers legal protection from demolition
and alterations which may harm historic
features. The whole of a Listed Building is
protected, including the interior and anything
attached to the exterior (such as railings) and
other structures located within the curtilage or
grounds of that building, such as outbuildings,
walls and sheds. Further information on
Listed Buildings can be obtained from English
Heritage.
Housing Needs Survey
A ‘housing needs’ survey was carried out by
Warwickshire Rural Community Council on
behalf of Preston on Stour Parish Council in
July 2010. The aim of the survey was to collect
accurate information on housing requirements
in Preston on Stour Parish. The results can be
used in a number of ways, but perhaps the
most important is to help to justify a small
scheme of affordable homes for people with
local connections. This type of scheme is
referred to as a ‘Rural Exception’ scheme,
because the development of new homes in
rural areas is an exception to normal planning
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single, shared-ownership, two-bedroom house.
It may be appropriate for the Parish Council to
commission a further survey to identify current
needs: certainly, a number of respondents made
remarks on their questionnaires displaying
concerns such as “Housing for young and old
people”.
Other Development Considerations
The village greens and other open areas of
the parish are much valued by residents and
particularly by the children, as shown in
their responses to the survey and the many
written comments from them. Such areas
also encourage the presence of wildlife.
New developments should enhance rather
than detract from this most appreciated
public possession. Any conversions or new
developments should meet high standards in
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They should make a positive contribution to
the village environment, should respect its
traditions and should be in suitable context.
It is crucial that their scale, design and use of
traditional materials demonstrates that they are
in harmony with neighbouring buildings.
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In Preston-on-Stour most of the houses are
already quite close together so there appears
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If a case could be made for this any building
should be in proportion to the site.