Object

Representation ID: 66075

Received: 27/06/2014

Respondent: Historic England

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The development affects Thickthorn Manor and the Glasshouse Roman Settlement. There is no evidence to demonstrate a proper assessment has been undertaken to inform the principle of development, nor, without prejudice, the critical design response (mitigation).
It should be appreciated that due to the former Roman occupation of the site there also needs to be an assessment of the likelihood that currently unidentified archaeology, potentially of national importance, will be discovered (NPPF para 169).
Without such an assessment the local authority is unable to assert that the objectives for sustainable development have been met.
There appears to be a failure to demonstrate that great weight has been given to the conservation of the heritage assets (NPPF para 132) nor a recognition of the legislative expectation that special weight is paid to the desirability of preserving the setting of the affected Manor. The Ancient Monument and Archaeological Areas Act gives provision for the protection of the scheduled Roman Settlement.
The significance of a heritage asset derives not only from its physical presence but also from its setting - the surroundings in which it is experienced. Consequently English Heritage considers the Plan is inconsistent with the provisions of the NPPF and therefore unsound.