URL: https://democracy.croydon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2741

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to seek Cabinet approval and recommend to Council the adoption of the updated Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan in line with Priority 4 of the Executive Mayor’s Business Plan to “Review conservation areas to ensure the borough’s special places are protected for generations to come.” This update has been informed by the recent review of Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Areas.   The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), The London Plan 2021 and local planning policy require Local Authorities to consider designating areas of architectural and historic interest as conservation areas, and to conserve and enhance those areas through identifying their special characteristics and outlining how these can be managed for the future. Historic England recommends that every conservation area has its own Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) which is kept up to date.   The Planning Act 1990 direct that local planning authorities must review their conservation areas from time to time and designate any parts or further parts which are of special architectural or historic interest (Section 69). The review and update of the existing Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP serves to:   ·         Document changes within the area, either confirming or redefining their special interest; ·         Identify additional elements that contribute to the area's significance, including consideration of any appropriate boundary changes; ·         Establish recommendations based on current conditions and emerging challenges; ·         Update the document in line with national, regional or local policy changes, and emerging best practice guidance, including that published by Historic England; and ·         Revise and update the management plan to guide future conservation and development effectively.   The Council has been in the process of producing or updating CAAMPs for all 21 conservation areas currently designated in Croydon. The existing Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP is outdated, as it does not fully account for changes within the area and / or recent legislation and planning policy. The Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP was adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on 25th June 2007 and provides a detailed appraisal of the landscape and historic character of the Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village, with management guidelines on how this character should be conserved and enhanced. However, it has not been updated for over 18 years and lacks important information on the detailed character area descriptions, including architectural character of the buildings. This is crucial for informed decision-making and, therefore, requires reviewing and updating.   The updated Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP will provide an up-to-date assessment of the character areas and detailed guidance relating to the management of the conservation areas in line with current practice and any updated legislation. Following review, however, no boundary changes were required.   The updated CAAMP will supersede the adopted Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP (2007). However, it does not introduce new statutory planning controls beyond those already in place. Instead, the updated CAAMP will provide detailed guidelines for development in the conservation areas, to ensure common understanding of what is appropriate and not appropriate. The document aims to conserve and enhance the special architectural and historic character of the conservation areas by helping applicants understand what is likely to be supported and reducing uncertainty. Its purpose is to assist both residents and officers in achieving consistent, informed, and efficient outcomes that conserve the special character of the conservation areas.   Once adopted, the CAAMP will serve as an SPD to the Croydon Local Plan 2018. As such, the consultation material was subject to public consultation requirements under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (2024).  Additionally, section 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires proposals set out in a Management Plan of the CAAMP to be subject to consideration at a public meeting.    

Content: The purpose of this report is to seek Cabinet approval and recommend to Council the adoption of the updated Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan in line with Priority 4 of the Executive Mayor’s Business Plan to “Review conservation areas to ensure the borough’s special places are protected for generations to come.” This update has been informed by the recent review of Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Areas.   The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), The London Plan 2021 and local planning policy require Local Authorities to consider designating areas of architectural and historic interest as conservation areas, and to conserve and enhance those areas through identifying their special characteristics and outlining how these can be managed for the future. Historic England recommends that every conservation area has its own Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) which is kept up to date.   The Planning Act 1990 direct that local planning authorities must review their conservation areas from time to time and designate any parts or further parts which are of special architectural or historic interest (Section 69). The review and update of the existing Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP serves to:   ·         Document changes within the area, either confirming or redefining their special interest; ·         Identify additional elements that contribute to the area's significance, including consideration of any appropriate boundary changes; ·         Establish recommendations based on current conditions and emerging challenges; ·         Update the document in line with national, regional or local policy changes, and emerging best practice guidance, including that published by Historic England; and ·         Revise and update the management plan to guide future conservation and development effectively.   The Council has been in the process of producing or updating CAAMPs for all 21 conservation areas currently designated in Croydon. The existing Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP is outdated, as it does not fully account for changes within the area and / or recent legislation and planning policy. The Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP was adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on 25th June 2007 and provides a detailed appraisal of the landscape and historic character of the Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village, with management guidelines on how this character should be conserved and enhanced. However, it has not been updated for over 18 years and lacks important information on the detailed character area descriptions, including architectural character of the buildings. This is crucial for informed decision-making and, therefore, requires reviewing and updating.   The updated Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP will provide an up-to-date assessment of the character areas and detailed guidance relating to the management of the conservation areas in line with current practice and any updated legislation. Following review, however, no boundary changes were required.   The updated CAAMP will supersede the adopted Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP (2007). However, it does not introduce new statutory planning controls beyond those already in place. Instead, the updated CAAMP will provide detailed guidelines for development in the conservation areas, to ensure common understanding of what is appropriate and not appropriate. The document aims to conserve and enhance the special architectural and historic character of the conservation areas by helping applicants understand what is likely to be supported and reducing uncertainty. Its purpose is to assist both residents and officers in achieving consistent, informed, and efficient outcomes that conserve the special character of the conservation areas.   Once adopted, the CAAMP will serve as an SPD to the Croydon Local Plan 2018. As such, the consultation material was subject to public consultation requirements under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (2024).  Additionally, section 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires proposals set out in a Management Plan of the CAAMP to be subject to consideration at a public meeting.     For the reasons detailed in the report and appendices, the Executive Mayor and Cabinet AGREED to:   2.1.1    Agree to endorse and recommend that Full Council adopts the Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Areas Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) (Appendix 2) 2026 as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, particularly regulation 14;   2.1.2    Agree to recommend that Full Council revokes the Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Areas Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) 2007 (Appendix 3) in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, particularly regulation 15(3);   2.1.3    Note the Consultation Statement (Appendix 1) for the Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Areas Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP), including a summary of issues raised during the statutory consultation period. This includes comments, responses and (where applicable) amendments; and   2.1.4    Delegate to the Director of Planning and Sustainable Regeneration, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services, the making of minor factual, editorial and image changes to the Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village CAAMP (Appendix 2) prior to adoption.  

Date of Decision: June 24, 2026