Issue - meetings

To approve and adopt the Supplementary Planning document in relation to Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

The Cabinet Member: Climate Action Green Spaces, Heritage & Leisure and the Cabinet Member: Homes & Enforcement presented the report of the Director: Housing, Employment & Infrastructure.

The report sought adoption of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site (WHS) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which would be used to provide locally distinctive planning guidance to help protect the gorge and support sustainable development within the WHS.  As the WHS boundary extended into Shropshire the SPD would be used by both Local Planning Authorities if adopted by Shropshire Council at their Cabinet meeting on 19 July 2023.

To help local established communities the SPD contained property-level guidance that would help residents and businesses when bringing forward development proposals and set out how the planning system would fulfil the responsibility and opportunities that arise from WHS status.  It would also form part of a suite of document covering the World Heritage Site and Severn Gorge Conservation Area including the WHS Management Plan the overarching framework and strategy for managing and protecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the area.

A consultation exercise engaging with stakeholders and organisations had been undertaken in January and February 2023 and the results of the feedback were contained within the report.

Cabinet Members commented that the WHS was a unique place and it could be challenging to make modifications to modern living standards whilst preserving the local heritage.  The report contained clarity on new developments within the WHS which would bring greater consistency and protection.  An easy read version of the document had been produced for residents together with drop in sessions and face to face query sessions.  It was a challenge but the WHS guidance set out what was possible.

RESOLVED- that the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Supplementary Planning Document for use in determining planning applications in relation to area of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site be adopted.