The Council's policies about listed buildings

The Council has included a series of policies in the Rushmoor Local Plan that are intended to preserve and to enhance the appearance of listed buildings in the Borough.

The policies are reworded slightly in the Local Plan Review, published in June 1996, and are:

• the Council will not permit any works to a listed building, or features and structures within its setting, if it considers that they would adversely affect its architectural or historic interest
  
• the Council will not grant listed building consent for the demolition, or partial demolition, of a listed building, unless it is satisfied that every practical effort has been made to retain it, or that it is not worthy of retention
  
• where demolition of a listed building, or a non-listed building in a conservation area, is to be permitted, in addition to any other relevant conditions, the Council may also require by condition, or seek by agreement, that:
  
• the demolition does not take place unless detailed plans have been approved and contracts let for a replacement building(s) or for the future use of the site
  
• the building is retained until redevelopment occurs
  
• distinctive features of the building are retained for re-use
  
• where the building is an important part of a group, a scheme has been submitted to retain the facade
  
• provision is made for the appearance and details of the building to be recorded
• the Council will only permit development adjoining listed buildings which would preserve their setting. Particular attention will be paid to design and layout of neighbouring land and buildings, protection of trees and traffic management measures
  
• the Council will consider relaxing normal planning controls where this is essential to retain the character of a listed building and to enable it to be given an extended lease of life, provided that reasonable standards and amenity can be ensured
  
• the Council will not permit development which would damage a building or feature of local historic importance, or adversely affect its setting.