Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Mon 14 Jul 2025

Consultation Date: Mon 14 Jul 2025

Comment Date: Thu 07 Aug 2025

Thank you for consulting Historic Environment regarding the above application for boundary fence replacement at 80 Paradise Road. The building and its curtilage is grade II listed as the former 'Plymouth College of Further Education (Devonport Annexe)' (NHL - 1386312), and is within the Stoke Conservation Area.

Historic Environment have no objections to the proposed development. The existing fence is clearly deformed and suffering from decay, with replacement sections visible along Exmouth Road. The proposed fencing is very similar in style and would not be detrimental to the setting or curtilage of the listed building, or the historic streetscape.

Recommendation and Assessment of Harm

When considering whether to grant Listed Building Consent, the Local Planning Authority shall give special regard to the desirability of preserving the listed building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses, as set out in Section 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Additionally when considering developments that affect a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority shall give special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area, as set out in Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Any harm to, or loss of, the significance of a designated heritage asset (from its alteration or destruction, or from development within its setting), requires clear and convincing justification, NPPF16 Para 213. Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. Less than substantial harm does not mean that the proposed harm is insignificant including, where appropriate, securing its optimum viable use NPPF 16, Para 215.

The works as proposed within this application are considered to result in negligible harm to the significance of the designated heritage asset. The proposal will result in the loss of historic railings however they are not decorative and fairly standard in form therefore in no way unique. The public benefit resulting from the proposal is considered to be aesthetic, the existing railing is in a poor state of repair, deformed in many places and not securing the boundary of the listed curtilage.

In weighing up the impact of the development on the significance of the designated heritage asset and the public benefit resulting from the proposal, Historic Environment find the proposed development acceptable with no recommended conditions. 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.