• Contents
• Introduction
• Strategic Policies
• Economy, Industry & Commerce
• Housing
• Town Centres, Retailing & Leisure
• General Community Services
• Transport
• Open Environment
• Built & Historic Environment
• Waste, Pollution, Minerals, Water & Energy
• Planning Standards & Controls
• Car Parking Standards
• Cycle Parking Standards
• Proposals Map Schedules
• Glossary of Terms

CHAPTER 8 BUILT AND HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVES

POLICIES AND PROPOSALS

BHE1 and BHE2 Urban Design
BHE3 Impact on Neighbouring Properties
BHE4 Transport and Parking Implications
BHE5 Access for All
BHE6 High Buildings
BHE7 Community Safety / Designing Out Crime
BHE8 Advertisements
BHE9 Lighting & Light Pollution
BHE10 and BHE11 Environmental Improvements
BHE12 Vacant Sites
BHE13 Conservation Areas
BHE14 Statutorily Listed Buildings
BHE15 Locally Listed Buildings
BHE16 Other Buildings
BHE17 Archaeological Heritage
BHE18 Local Heritage

BACKGROUND

The Built-Up Area

8.4 Waltham Forest contains a great variety of different land uses and buildings of varying ages and styles. This variety, all within a relatively small area, is one of the most striking characteristics of the borough.

8.5 Running north to south within the envelope provided by the open space of the Lea Valley and Epping Forest, is the densely developed urban core of the borough. In the most general terms, a distinction can be made between the north and south of the borough. Those areas to the north of the North Circular Road, such as Highams Park and Chingford, enjoy in general a number of environmental advantages over the south of the borough. These include less dense housing development, better access to both private and public open space and a relative absence of poorly sited industrial and commercial activities. In the south, and particularly within the wide area of West Walthamstow, Leyton, and South Leytonstone, environmental conditions are less satisfactory. There is a much denser pattern of older terraced housing - mixed with industrial and commercial activities in some locations. Although the bulk of the borough’s larger slab and tower block estates are located in these areas, redevelopment and refurbishment projects are beginning to transform many of them. The environmental problems in this part of the borough are largely due to traffic, noise, pollution, ‘bad neighbour’ uses and lack of building repair and maintenance.

8.6 It would be wrong, however, to paint too bleak a picture of the environment in the south of the borough, for in all areas attractive neighbourhoods and buildings can be found. In addition, many areas and individual buildings have special local character and historic importance, and the proper conservation of these is an important part of this Plan.

OBJECTIVES

8.7 The policies and proposals of this chapter will be guided by the following objectives:

a) To achieve a safe, accessible, clean, unpolluted, well maintained and attractive environment through the control of land use and development.
b) To improve the quality of the built environment by encouraging higher standards of architecture and urban design in all new developments.
c) To enhance the physical environment through environmental improvement programmes.
d) To conserve and enhance areas and buildings of special townscape value, and of historic and architectural interest.

POLICIES AND PROPOSALS

Urban Design

8.8 The factors listed above affect the design quality of a scheme. In determining planning applications, these factors will be assessed in the context of the sites themselves, their immediate surroundings and, if material, longer views.

8.9 The Council is keen to promote high standards in urban design. This will raise the profile of the borough and also improve living and working conditions. New buildings should offer a high quality design solution specific to their site’s shape, size, location and development opportunities. They should respect local design and landscape characteristics and relate to them satisfactorily but creatively as well. Local design characteristics include aspects such as orientation, detailing, roofscape, fenestration scale, and the rhythm of adjoining development.

8.10 Proposals should be of a scale, bulk and height appropriate to their setting, function and townscape location. In terms of layout, the Council will seek to ensure that both internal and external spaces are of a scale, design and relationship to each other, which promotes the amenity of users and provides a satisfactory level of sunlight, daylight, privacy and outlook for existing and future residents. The use of appropriate materials is also important for integrating a new building with its surroundings.

8.11 The Highams Estate, as shown on the Proposals Map was designated an “Area of Special Character” by the Council in 1988. This is not a statutory designation, but the Council recognises that this area has special character in terms of its cohesive design, similarity of plot sizes and scale of buildings. These factors will be taken into consideration in the application of Policy BHE1 to this area.

8.12 With specific reference to the borough’s main centres and shopping areas, the Council considers that new developments will provide the main opportunities for making major improvements to the quality of the environment. Accordingly, new development will be encouraged if in design terms it satisfies all of the following additional criteria;

• Enhances the appearance of the area of which it forms part;
• Improves the quality of the public realm, in particular views, landmarks and other townscape features;
• Promotes higher density and diversity through mixed use; and
• Incorporates public art in the design of buildings or in the spaces around buildings.

8.13 Where necessary the Council will prepare development briefs for specific sites. These will convey the Council’s aspirations for the highest possible standards of design and planning. Proposals must provide a positive and beneficial visual focus to the environment of the centre or location. Policy BHE6 encourages the architectural use of lighting as a means of showcasing buildings as well as emphasising views and landmark features.

8.14 The Council will generally support proposals for higher density developments in Walthamstow town centre and in other centres well served by walking, cycling and public transport. The Council considers that mixed use development can make the most of opportunities for higher densities and intensive activity at locations with good access to public transport. However proposals likely to lead to environmental deterioration will be resisted. The mix of uses helps to determine how well used a place is, and what economic and social activities it will support.

8.15 Public art can enhance new developments in the designated centres and shopping areas. Where integrated into the design of public buildings and spaces, it will give identity and enhance the sense of place. Such art can take many forms, from sculptures and mosaics to ornate signing and street furniture. Also through brickwork, masonry, walling and paving schemes, the overall quality of the designated centres and shopping areas could be enhanced. Design proposals will be considered on their merits. Such public art provided may be incorporated into the development itself or in public spaces adjoining the development site. As part of action plans/town centre strategies or through planning briefs, the Council will seek ways to co-ordinate a range of artistic features and elements.

8.16 A range of facilities may be required as part of new residential or commercial schemes. These may include parking for vehicles and cycles, servicing, recycling, refuse collection, landscaping etc. In both residential and commercial developments, the Council will expect the developer to make adequate provision for these facilities. In some cases it may be necessary to secure their provision through a planning obligation. (Note that reference should also be made to Policies BHE2, BHE3-5 and WPM21 regarding new residential and commercial schemes).

8.17 New buildings and their curtilages have a significant effect on the character and quality of the built environment. Many small developments can cumulatively change a place dramatically. To ensure that development proposals contribute positively to urban quality, the Council is seeking to promote good design at all stages of the development process. Poor environmental conditions make the borough an unattractive place to live, work and enjoy leisure. A poor quality environment also acts as a disincentive to commercial investment. By encouraging good design through the development control process, the Council believes that there will be a gradual improvement in the quality of the environment and this will reinforce civic pride.

8.18 An urban design statement should be prepared to show that a range of design issues have been considered. Accordingly on larger sites of 0.25 hectares or more, or at prominent townscape locations within and close to town centres, conservation areas, areas of special character or near sites with buildings of local architectural or historic interest, the Council will require an urban design statement.

8.19 This statement should demonstrate the commitment to the following urban design objectives as set out in the DETR report “By design- urban design in the planning system; towards a better practice”;

• Character - how the development will contribute to local character by responding to and reinforcing existing locally distinctive patterns of development.
• Continuity and enclosure - how the development promotes continuity of street frontages and the enclosure of space through clear definition of private and public areas.
• Quality of the public realm - how the development enhances or promotes public spaces and routes that are attractive, safe, uncluttered and work effectively for all people, including disabled and elderly people.
• Ease of movement - how the development promotes accessibility and permeability through better connections to enhance movement by pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists, and better integration of land use and transport.
• Legibility - how the development promotes legibility through the provision of recognisable routes, intersections and landmarks to help people find their way around,
• Adaptability – how the development can respond to changing social, technological and economic conditions, and can be adapted to other possible future uses.
• Diversity - how the development can promote diversity and choice through a mix of compatible uses that work together either on the same site, the street or within the immediate neighbourhood.

8.20 The Council encourages innovative and sensitive design solutions, which can contribute to the quality of the local environment and to social inclusion. In assessing the design merits of proposals, the Council will consider the extent to which the above urban design objectives have been taken into account. Policy BHE1 identifies the detailed design factors that will be taken into account in meeting these objectives. Good design will be encouraged, while poor design will be resisted.

8.21 The Council will from time to time, in consultation with the public, other stakeholders and interest groups prepare supplementary planning guidance, urban design frameworks or development briefs for particular areas or sites.

Impact on neighbouring properties/occupiers

8.22 Alterations and extensions of buildings are often necessary to modernise, adapt, enlarge or extend the life of a building. Through changes of use, buildings are continuously being adapted. This policy seeks to balance the need for such changes whilst protecting within reasonable limits the amenities of nearby occupiers.

8.23 Litter is a particular environmental nuisance in Waltham Forest. The Council wishes to ensure that proper arrangements are made in all new developments (including changes of use) for the storage, collection, and disposal of refuse. All new developments will require the provision of suitable waste and recycling storage facilities. Further policy guidance on waste is provided in Chapter 9 of this plan. In both residential and commercial developments, the Council will expect the developer to make adequate provision for these facilities. In determining planning applications the Council will consider the extent to which satisfactory arrangements for the storage, collection and disposal of refuse has been made. In appropriate cases, use will be made of planning agreements to ensure that this is achieved.

Transport and Parking Implications

8.24 The Council’s Car and Cycle Parking standards are as set out in Appendix 1 to the UDP. The Council seeks to ensure that the transport impact arising from new development (including changes of use) is acceptable in environmental terms. Traffic growth within a limited capacity of road network inevitably produces congestion. It can also affect and limit choices of non-car transport modes such as cycling, walking and buses. Congestion can also discourage inward investment and can affect the ability of firms to obtain deliveries and attract a workforce. Furthermore the safety of vulnerable road users in particular children and the elderly will be an important consideration. Through better landuse planning and control, some of these traffic and transport problems could be overcome. Detailed policies on transport are set out in Chapter 6 -Transport.

Access for All

8.25 The Council wishes to ensure that all new developments open to the public or in which people are to be employed are designed in such a way that everyone (including disabled people) can reach and use them conveniently. In this regard, the Council has prepared detailed guidance on accessibility ("Access for All" Guidelines) and will encourage developers to apply this to their developments.

8.26 The Council will consider the access needs of everyone, including disabled people, in all developments by ensuring that;

• External layouts are well planned having regard to entrance paths (including steps and paths), footway widths, refuse storage and external circulation space; and/or
• Careful consideration is given to access arrangements and parking spaces; where other policies in the plan involve the provision of reduced parking it will be essential to ensure that there are adequate numbers of suitably designed parking spaces for disabled people; and/or
• Attention is given to the needs of disabled people in the proposal’s design, layout, site conditions, materials, finishing and relationship with other land uses.

8.27 Proposals should allow disabled people to move easily through a site without unreasonable barriers or restrictions. For example generally, footways should be of adequate width, steep steps should be avoided and parking should be close to the main entrances. Such matters should be the subject of early discussion and negotiation between the developer and the Council as the Local Planning Authority. Notwithstanding this, developers are encouraged to look at accessibility issues through each stage of the development process to ensure that initial design proposals are translated into successful schemes that meet disabled people’s accessibility needs.

High Buildings

8.28 There is no formal definition of a high building, although general practice is that they are taken to be those that significantly exceed the height of surrounding buildings. The Mayor of London has to be notified of applications for buildings of more than 30m in height in accordance with category 1C of the Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2000. Also the Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment and English Heritage on proposals for high buildings in general; and British Waterways for buildings visible from the Lea Navigation. Applications for exceptionally high structures or buildings (over 91m or 300 feet high) will be referred to the Civil Aviation Authority.

8.29 Waltham Forest is characterised by low-rise developments such as two storey terraced houses and shops with two floors above. Most of the taller buildings are blocks of flats and maisonettes built in the 1960s and 1970s, and which are now generally regarded as being out of keeping with the character of the area.

8.30 In order to maintain the character of the area, the Council considers that, in general, the erection of further tall buildings is not appropriate in Waltham Forest. The Council will only allow the construction of such buildings where the conditions set out above can be met. They are most likely to be appropriate where their impact can be contained and where they would contribute towards regeneration. This is most likely to occur in the borough's main commercial centres of Walthamstow and Leytonstone, which are well served by public transport.

8.31 Furthermore, in certain areas of the borough, tall buildings are particularly inappropriate. For example the erection of tall buildings in or next to Green Belt land or Metropolitan Open Land would spoil the open character of these areas. There are also two areas of high land which are particularly sensitive to high-rise developments. One of these, the ridge of high land approaching Epping Forest, was identified by the London Planning Advisory Committee (LPAC) in its Strategic Advice, as an important skyline ridge. The other area includes Walthamstow Village Conservation Area where a sensitive approach to design is most important.

8.32 The Council recognises that in order to carry out essential operations, a public service authority or statutory undertaker may, in certain circumstances, need to erect high buildings or structures at locations in the Green Belt. In assessing any such proposals the Council will need to be satisfied that the building or structure is essential and that it could not be constructed in a more appropriate location. The siting and design of any such development should minimise the effect on its Green Belt setting.

Community Safety / Designing Out Crime

8.33 The fear and reality of crime is a major factor preventing the full enjoyment of an area. A reputation for a high crime rate can hinder its economic regeneration. Whilst Waltham Forest is a relatively low crime area (source: "Waltham Forest Crime, Disorder and Drugs Audit”, 2004), safety and a perception that the local environment is safe are important considerations.

8.34 Current crime clear up rates are low; of all crimes committed in the UK, 57% are estimated to go unrecorded and 32% are recorded. Of these recorded crimes there is a 26% detection rate (British Crime Survey April 2004/ March 2005). Anything the planning process can do in environmental design terms to help combat crime will thus be worthwhile.
Detection rate is calculated on the basis of crimes, rather than offenders. So, for example, if six offenders are involved in a robbery and are all arrested and charged – this counts as one detection. Alternatively, if only one of the six is identified and charged, while the other five remain unidentified and remain free, this also counts as one detection.

8.35 It is likely to be easier to incorporate crime-prevention measures in the initial design of a building than to make costly alterations later. Overall building costs in the long term might also be less if these measures are successful.

8.36 The Council is one of the partners in a Community Safety Partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service and the local community. This is designed to improve the safety of streets and buildings, to minimise opportunities for crime and to raise awareness of ways in which crime can be prevented.

8.37 Any building’s design normally seeks to encourage access to, and mobility within it. From a crime prevention viewpoint it is difficult to maintain these whilst reducing the opportunity for crime to take place. The large majority of crime is committed only when the opportunity presents itself. Careful building design can assist in deterring such crime through improved layout, lighting and more secure barriers. There should be no need for the negativity of shutters and other physical crime prevention measures – which may provide well-fortified private spaces but which may result in very hostile public areas. The informal surveillance of public and semi-private areas is an important community safety aspect recognised by the ‘Secured by Design’ initiative. It is best achieved when buildings front onto these public areas and when front elevations contain main building entrances – to assist crime prevention and enhance personal security.

8.38 Building vulnerability varies by area and so does the character of recorded crime. The social character of an area, the types and patterns of building use (e.g. where homes in some areas might have less people at home during the day than others) will all have obvious implications on crime patterns. The factors which developments - domestic & commercial need to be vetted for in assessing their vulnerability to crime can include:

• Narrow pedestrian access routes which congest pedestrian flows and create more opportunities for crime - wherever possible wide routes should be used, e.g. in shopping centres.
• In public buildings the tops or bottoms of stairs & escalators can be gathering places for criminals - putting these into use (e.g. by siting sales kiosks nearby in shopping centres) can be a deterrent.
• Equipment - such as that for fighting fire - should be properly housed and not left open to theft/misuse.
• Direction signs should be clear and allow people to step out confidently.
• Car parks should be lit with sensitively designed lighting, be clean, have good sightlines and be well managed.
• Access to roof voids should not be straightforward, to discourage break-ins.
• Bus shelters should preferably use clear rather than solid panels.
• Bank "Cash Dispensers" (or Automatic Telling Machines) should be carefully located in well-lit locations with good visibility.
• Street seating should be designed for short sitting periods, rather than encouraging longer stays.

8.39 To reduce the impact of crime within the borough the Council will encourage planning applicants to contact local Metropolitan Police Service Crime Prevention Design Advisers as early as possible in the design/ application process to discuss such matters. Their advice will be based upon local knowledge, crime trends and the modus operandi of criminals. The intention will be to ensure that all development proposals have satisfactorily sought to design out crime in line with the advice contained in Circular 5/94.

8.40 In particular with house design the Council will encourage developers to apply the good practice advice in fighting crime from the Metropolitan Police Service “Secured By Design” scheme. It covers all new dwellings, residential refurbishments, sheltered housing schemes and commercial premises.

Advertisements

8.41 Advertisements are controlled by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992. These regulations enable local planning authorities to control advertisements, when it is justified, in the interest of "amenity" and "public safety".

8.42 In assessing an advertisement's impact on "amenity", the Council will have regard to its effect on the appearance of the building or on the visual amenity of the surroundings. For example, excessive numbers of advertisements and signs in close proximity can lead to visual chaos and clutter in the street scene. The Council wishes to avoid this by restricting the number of advertisements and signs to a level appropriate to the character of the area.

8.43 Advertisements of all kinds should be in keeping with the scale and character of the surroundings and, where applicable, the building to which they would be attached. Large signs and hoardings will be carefully controlled.

8.44 In assessing impact on public safety, the Council will have regard to its effect on the safe use and operation of transport, including the safety of pedestrians. The Council will therefore consider such matters as the likely behaviour of drivers who will see the advertisement and possible confusion with any traffic sign or signal. For illuminated advertisements, the Council will have regard to standards recommended by the Institute of Lighting Engineers.

8.45 The effects of advertisement hoardings on amenity and public safety will be particularly critically examined in the following cases:

• In predominantly residential areas.
• In conservation areas or on listed buildings.
• In areas adjacent to conservation areas where they detract from amenity and public safety.
• On open space - or where they would block important views across it, or where they would obscure other important views, landscaping or groups of trees.
• Where they would lead to advertisement clutter, detract from environmental improvements within an area or prejudice regeneration initiatives.
• On railway embankments.
• On major roads or at road junctions where distraction to drivers could be prejudicial to driver safety.

8.46 In appropriate cases, the Council will seek to designate the borough's conservation areas (see policy BHE10), areas of special character (see policy BHE11), and areas adjacent to the green belt, as areas of special control of advertisements. Such designations, which require the approval of the Secretary of State for the Environment, have the effect of limiting the types of advertisements which can be displayed, and give the Council greater control so that it can protect more closely the visual environment.

8.47 The Council uses posters attached to lamp-posts to advertise its own services and local events. The posters are concentrated on main roads and in shopping areas so that they are seen by the maximum number of people. The Council has adopted a set of guidelines, which will restrict the size of the posters and the locations at which they can be displayed. The posters will not be allowed within conservation areas, or other sensitive areas.

Lighting & Light Pollution

8.48 The architectural use of lighting can be a powerful means of showcasing buildings, landscape and topographical features, defining routes and boundaries as well as emphasising views and landmark features. It can help enhance the environmental attraction of local town centres, taking into account their night time economy, safety, security, desired image, energy use and light pollution as a whole.

8.49 Lighting is essential in many instances for security reasons as well as for traffic and pedestrian safety and is just as important for enhancing buildings of architectural and historic significance.

8.50 Poor or insensitively designed schemes can lead to light "pollution" - where excessive amounts of lighting diminish the integrity of the night-time sky, and result in unnecessarily high energy consumption. Where there is a danger of this, lighting should be designed to minimise glare and spillage and kept to the minimum required for security and operational purposes. It may also be necessary to screen lighting installations from neighbouring housing and roads, and to consider minimising the visual impact of lighting apparatus on daytime views. Policy WPM11 deals with the effects of lighting on wildlife.

Environmental Improvements

8.51 The objective of enhancing the physical environment by means of environmental improvement programmes is a far reaching one, which complements policies in many of the other chapters in this plan as well as other Council initiatives. It is linked with housing policy and programmes for housing improvement, with leisure strategy and the development of parks and open spaces, with transportation issues and traffic management, and with the provision of community facilities generally.

8.52 As sources of public finance from the Council are limited, the only way to achieve planned improvements in the quality of the built environment is through building successful partnerships. Successful partnerships will be important in encouraging investment and in implementing schemes. The Council will continue to seek additional funding from Central Government and from European bidding and funding programmes.

8.53 Because of financial constraints, the Council's resources, which are available for environmental improvements, should be targeted to those areas where they are most needed and where they are likely to give the best value for money in terms of public impact. A high quality of design and landscaping will be expected in all environmental improvement schemes. Trees make a crucial contribution to the urban environment and are an essential element of improvement programmes.

8.54 As well as carrying out its own schemes, the Council will encourage other landowners, particularly those with extensive landholdings, to implement environmental enhancement programmes. Environmental conditions can also be improved by the alleviation of problems caused by badly sited uses, particularly where these occur in residential areas.

8.55 By carrying out environmental improvements the Council seeks to improve the general quality of the physical environment for the people who live and work in the areas affected. There are many parts of the borough which would benefit from environmental schemes, but, due to the limited resources available, it will be most effective for the Council to target particular areas where environmental improvements are most needed.

8.56 In particular, resources will be targeted into those areas where improvements in environmental conditions would have a particularly noticeable effect. These could include shopping areas and major road junctions which are used by a large number of people.

8.57 A high quality of design, careful choice of materials, attractive landscaping, and the co-ordination of detailed design elements will be aimed for in all environmental improvement works. The implementation of schemes will, whenever possible, be co-ordinated with highway maintenance and improvement programmes. In all such works, the needs of people with disabilities and those with mobility difficulties will be taken fully into account.

8.58 There are some uses which have adverse environmental effects on immediate neighbours or on other properties in the surrounding area. The relocation of such uses is often desirable, and when this does occur, the Council will encourage redevelopment of the site for more suitable uses. In addition, use of discontinuance orders will be made in appropriate circumstances.

8.59 However, relocation is not always feasible, due to the lack of suitable alternative sites and of finance for compensation. It is also recognised that small firms often provide useful services to the local community and provide jobs.

8.60 Where relocation is not feasible, implementation of the policy will be by agreement between the Council and individual firms, particularly where sites are the subject of planning applications. It may be possible to negotiate, for example, noise reductions, limits on hours of operation, and improved boundary treatment.

Vacant Sites

8.61 The Council consider that all land should be put to a useful purpose and will encourage its development or use in accordance with the policies of this Plan. In addition, fly tipping on vacant land can become an eyesore and a hazard which detracts from the amenity of an area. The Council may on occasion therefore use its powers to ensure that owners of vacant land keep it tidy and adequately fenced.

8.62 The Council welcomes any proposals that would make better use of such sites, even if only for a short period. The Ecology Garden at the Disabilities Resource Centre in Walthamstow shows how land that would otherwise have lain vacant has been put to good use.

8.63 The Council has a responsibility to bring back into beneficial use any vacant or under-used land and buildings in its ownership. It will, therefore, continue to review its land holdings in order to anticipate potential changes so that the most appropriate future uses for buildings and land can be sought.

Conservation within the Urban Area

8.64 This Plan aims to maintain, and wherever possible, improve the physical environment of the whole of the borough. This can be achieved in a number of ways. Policies BHE1 & BHE2 of this Chapter are intended to secure a high standard of design and landscaping in all new developments for which planning permission is required. In addition the Council has a continuing programme of environment improvements (see policies BHE7 & BHE8), which are targeted on those parts of the borough where environmental conditions are worst.

8.65 Complementary to its aim of improving the environment of the borough as a whole, the Plan seeks to conserve, and, wherever possible, improve, those buildings and areas which are of special value. That value might be for historic or architectural reasons, or because they have a particular character which is worth preserving. This can be achieved by designating Conservation Areas, and by preserving buildings which are of special historic or architectural interest.

8.66 Conservation Areas are areas which it is desirable to enhance due to their character or appearance. Additional planning controls apply automatically to these areas, the most important of which is the requirement to obtain consent for the demolition of any building.

8.67 The Department of Culture, Media & Sport maintains a list of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. These are subject to statutory protection and can only be demolished by special consent. The Council has also compiled an advisory 'Local List'.

8.68 In addition to improving the borough's heritage of buildings and areas of special value, this Plan aims to provide the opportunity to find out more about the borough's history through the identification of Archaeological Priority Zones.

8.69 Under the Town & Country Planning Conservation and Listed Buildings Act (section 69) and PPG15, paragraph 4.3, the Council has a duty to keep under review the need to identify and designate as conservation areas those parts of its area that are of special architectural or historic interest. Accordingly, the Council will from time to time carry out an environmental audit of the borough so that it can regularly assess whether particular areas or buildings require special protection. This should also provide information which can be used to determine those parts of the borough where environmental improvements would be most beneficial.

Conservation Areas

8.70 Local planning authorities have a duty to determine which areas should be designated as Conservation Areas. Once a designation has been made, they are required to pay special attention to Conservation Areas in all planning decisions with regard to the principles of preservation and enhancement.

8.71 There are eleven Conservation Areas in the borough (Schedule 29): St.Mary's Church, Walthamstow Village; Woodford Green; Forest School; Browning Road, Leytonstone; Thornhill Road, Leyton; Ropers Avenue/Inks Green, Highams Park; Chingford Green; Leucha Road, Walthamstow; Whipps Cross Road/Forest Glade, Leytonstone; and Orford Road/Eden Road/Grosvenor Park Road in Walthamstow and Walthamstow St James.

8.72 For each Conservation Area, the Council intends to publish supplementary design guidelines, based on an analysis of the area's particular character and requirements. In preparing development proposals applicants will be expected to take full account of such guidelines, once they have been prepared and approved by the Council. Planning applications will be required to contain sufficient detail to allow aesthetic and environmental aspects to be fully evaluated.

8.73 Additionally, the Council will seek to ensure that the maintenance of roads, pavements and public open space, and the provision of street trees and furniture, is carried out so as to enhance the character and appearance of these areas.

8.74 As one part of its programme of environmental improvement, the Council will, from time to time, bring forward proposals to upgrade the environment of the Conservation Areas.

Statutorily Listed Buildings

8.75 Under section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, 1990 the Secretary of State compiles lists for all local authorities of buildings in their areas considered to merit statutory protection because of their special architectural/historic interest. The statutory list of Waltham Forest buildings is included as a Schedule accompanying this Plan and copies are made available by the Council for the public.

8.76 Section 7 of the Act states that prior consent must be obtained from the local authority before any demolition (in whole or in part), alteration or extension works go ahead which would affect the character of a building of special architectural or historic interest. It is a criminal offence to carry out any such works without consent.

8.77 Waltham Forest has a limited stock of statutorily listed buildings. They represent a finite asset and for that reason their loss/substantial demolition will not be permitted unless the Council is satisfied that every possible alternative approach for restoration, conversion or re-use has been thoroughly explored and found to be impractical. The fact that a building has become derelict will not in itself be regarded as sufficient reason to permit its demolition.

8.78 The Council will also use its powers to encourage the sympathetic rehabilitation, maintenance and repair of listed buildings, providing specialist design advice and (as resources permit) Historic Building Grant assistance in appropriate cases. As necessary it will also consider serving Urgent Works and Repair Notices or taking enforcement action against unauthorised works involving listed buildings. English Heritage maintains a register of buildings at risk. These are buildings in poor condition or that are under threat from neglect or vacancy. The Council will work with property owners and English Heritage to encourage the early repair of such buildings.

8.79 The Council would like to see improvements to the physical accessibility of listed buildings wherever practicable. However, the Council recognises that it may not always be possible to meet the requirements of its "Access for All" supplementary planning guidance because of the special architectural or historic interest of the buildings in question.

Locally Listed Buildings

8.80 The Council maintains a list of buildings of local architectural/historic interest separate to those on the Secretary of State's statutory list for the borough. These buildings are not subject to additional statutory controls, but the Council will encourage their preservation through its normal town planning controls. This local list is also included as a Schedule accompanying this Plan and will be maintained and kept under review by the Council. Any proposed changes to the list will be treated as statutory alterations to the Plan.

8.81 The buildings on this local list are considered by the Council to have a particular environmental value, contributing significantly to the character and amenity of a locality. They might have a high townscape value, architectural quality or historic associations which the Council wishes to see maintained. Such buildings include St.Mary's Infant School E17, the "Lighthouse" building in Markhouse Road and the Leyton Almshouses on Church Road. It is hoped that ultimately the buildings on the local list will merit inclusion on the Secretary of State's statutory list at a future date.

8.82 The Council considers that the loss of buildings on its local list would be detrimental to the appearance, character, townscape quality or heritage of the borough. It will therefore seek to encourage the retention, restoration and continued beneficial use of these buildings wherever possible. Any proposals to alter them should, for example, be architecturally compatible with the style of the original building.

8.83 The Council will also strongly discourage the demolition of these buildings. Where a building is believed to be under threat and the Council considers that it satisfied the published criteria for statutory listing, it will consider serving a Building Preservation Notice (pending a decision on its formal listing by the Secretary of State for the Environment).

8.84 In addition to the intrinsic qualities of the buildings included on the Council's local list, their setting may also contribute to their environmental value. Consequently, the Council will also seek to protect their character and setting.

Other Buildings

8.85 The Council considers that it is important, as far as is practicable, to retain certain individual, or groups of, buildings in Walthamstow Town Centre if the general character of the area is to be maintained. This policy was included in the Walthamstow Town Centre Inset to the 1980 District Plan.

Archaeological Heritage

8.86 The history of Waltham Forest dates from the time of the earliest settlements in the Forest. Archaeology is an important way in which greater knowledge about the history of the borough can be discovered. However, the opportunity to carry out archaeological investigations usually only arises during the course of new development when foundations are exposed.

8.87 The Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service has defined a number of Archaeological Priority Zones (APZs) which have been identified as having particular archaeological interest. Some of the APZs are extensive and include the whole of the Lea Valley, the valleys of The Ching and The Fillebrook Rivers and areas around former Saxon and Mediaeval settlements such as Chingford, Walthamstow, Leyton, Highams Park and Leytonstone.

8.88 The Council will seek to encourage the conservation, protection and enhancement of the archaeological heritage of the borough. When any development involving a site of 0.16 hectares or more is proposed within the archaeological priority zones (as shown on the Proposals Map and Schedule 36), or for any site identified by a recognised archaeological authority, the archaeological significance of the site will be considered. The Council may require a preliminary archaeological site evaluation before development proposals are considered.

8.89 The Council will seek to ensure that the most important archaeological remains and their settings are permanently preserved in situ, and if necessary, are made available for public viewing.

8.90 Sites of archaeological significance or potential not requiring preservation in situ shall have provision made for preservation by record through an appropriate level of archaeological investigation and excavation to be undertaken by a professionally qualified archaeological consultant or specialist archaeological organisation before and during the process of development. Such provision shall also include the subsequent analysis, interpretation and in appropriate cases, presentation to the public of the archaeological results and finds.

8.91 There are also a number of less extensive APZs. For proposed developments involving a site of 0.16 hectares or more within the APZs, the Council will liaise with the Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service in order to assess the archaeological significance of the site. Where appropriate, a preliminary archaeological site evaluation or desk-based assessment may be required by the Council before such proposals are considered.

8.92 The most important archaeological remains and their setting should be permanently preserved. Developers can help to achieve this by, for example, preparing sympathetic designs and using foundations which avoid disturbing remains altogether. If the physical preservation of remains is not feasible, an archaeological excavation for the purposes of "preservation by record" may be an acceptable alternative.

8.93 The Council will promote co-operation between landowners, developers, and archaeological organisations in accordance with the British Archaeologists and Developers Liaison Group Code of Practice which it recognises and endorses.

Local Heritage

8.94 Waltham Forest has a heritage of fine individual buildings, many of which are listed (see policies BHE14 & BHE15), as well as larger areas of Victorian and Edwardian housing which are often of considerable interest. Surrounding areas of open land such as Epping Forest are also a part of that heritage.

8.95 There is much that can be done to promote an increased awareness of Waltham Forest's heritage. For example, publicity of the heritage work by the Arts and Library Services needs to be more closely liked with environmental initiatives on the ground. The policies for Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings, and Archaeological Priority Zones are all relevant to this theme. These areas and buildings could be linked by pedestrian "Town Trails" to stimulate local awareness and interest. These would be marked by signboards and plaques and would follow upgraded pedestrian routes. They would identify not only existing sites and buildings of interest, but also the sites of important buildings which have disappeared. It is important that the town trails are designed so that they are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

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