New guidelines for conservation area
New planning guidelines for Strathaven Conservation Area have been approved by councillors.
The Strathaven Conservation Area Appraisal (CAA) and Conservation Area Management Plan (CAMP) have been designed to provide more detailed guidance and advice on the area’s special characteristics.
They also support the council in its statutory duty to protect and enhance the conservation area and will now be considered as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
Both were approved by councillors at a meeting of South Lanarkshire Council’s Planning Committee, following a period of public consultation.
Members also heard that the planning changes have been designed to support the ongoing work of the council, Historic Environment Scotland and its partners in delivery of the £1.5m Strathaven Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS).
Launched in August last year, CARS is a five-year project, providing financial help for conservation area based regeneration initiatives. As well as funding from the council and HES, additional cash from a range of other sources has also been pulled together to enable: a repairs programme for priority projects, a small grants scheme for homeowners or tenants, shopfront improvements works, community engagement through training opportunities and education programmes, public realm works, administration costs, including the appointment of a dedicated project officer.
Councillor Hugh Dunsmuir, Chair of the Planning Committee, said: “The CARS project will play an important role in protecting and enhancing the character of Strathaven Conservation Area as set out in the CAMP approved today.
“Our aim as a council, working with our partners, is to enhance and safeguard the conservation area, contribute to the vitality and viability of Strathaven town centre and, by default, the town itself, and I welcome today’s decisions as another key part of that equation.”
Guidance notes on funding, the application process and a map of the eligible area, are available at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk