Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Fri 16 May 2025

Comment Date: Thu 12 Jun 2025

Thank you for consulting Historic Environment about the above S19 application to amend condition 2 of application 16/01377/LBC which covers an amendment to the proposed reservoir material that will constitute the car park surface.

The reservoir is grade II listed (NHL - 1378547). Reservoir and surrounding iron railings were built in circa 1830, by Sir John Rennie Jnr. The square plan reservoir is enclosed by limestone ashlar walls with a flagged stone base (as seen in the photographs within the submitted Heritage Statement). The reservoir forms an important original functional component of the Yard, for which an independent water supply was essential. The Yard is a remarkable and complete example of an early C19 industrial complex, and a unique English example of Neo-Classical military planning of a state manufacturing site to victual the Royal Navy.

Historic Environment have no in-principle objections to the proposed amendment. Our preference originally was for the flagged stones to be used as the car park surface, better revealing the listed structure which has for some time been covered in turf. Following investigations into the condition of the surface, which that informed this amendment, we would be content with the proposed Golpla Gravel Reinforcement System and washed limestone gravel fill. Given the missing flags stones and subsidence of in-situ flag stones any works to make good the existing surface for parking would be a very invasive intervention into the historic fabric of the structure, whilst that level of intervention could be justified, the proposed gravel finish would leave the reservoir authentic and unaltered whilst still delivering a functional carpark. It also addresses a previous concern as to how parking bays were to be marked within scarring the flagstone surface.
In terms of harm, the replacement of the grass surface with limestone gravel is considered to be of neutral impact, with both surfaces being comparable in that they are reversible additions to the structure. Aesthetically limestone gravel may even be more appropriate given that it will at least in colour match the reservoir walls.
The concrete area at the bottom of the access ramp to provide a robust finish to an area of high stress from vehicle movements is acceptable but potentially unsightly, again with a 150mm subbase physical impact on the historic surface is minimised and the concrete could be removed if required. There is no information on how the concrete will be finished, this would be useful in understanding the visual impact. Inclusions within the concrete mix could be used to reduce the visual contrast between the gravel and concrete. Additional information on this would be welcome.

In weighing up the impact of the amendment on the significance of the designated heritage asset and the public benefit resulting from the proposal which was established within the 2016 consent, Historic Environment find the proposed development acceptable with no conditions subject to information on how the concrete will be finished.
As such the development is considered compliant with DEV21 of The Plymouth and Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan, NPPF guidance (DEC 2024) and The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.