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Dr James Weir

Technical Director (Heritage) at tor&co

So the M&S decision has finally arrived and has already prompted much comment. Some highly significant implications for heritage, though this may not be the last we hear of this case. Two particular stand-out elements for me: - the 'substantial weight' given to the loss of a non-designated heritage asset (paras. 17, 35) and the implications this has for a) interpreting and applying NPPF para. 203 in the planning balance; and b) how this 'substantial weight' should be viewed against the 'great weight' (or in this case 'very great weight') given to listed buildings; is 'substantial' the same as 'great'? and - the weight given to NPPF para. 152, the reuse of existing buildings (esp paras 45, 53) and the associated emphasis on identifying and setting out alternatives to demolition. At the very least it gives emphasis to non-designated heritage assets, which makes sense in principle, but potentially adds to difficulties in practice owing to the general lack of consistency by LPAs in identifying them to robust and transparent criteria and standards. Finally, I'd never seen a PINS decision illustrated on its front page with a visual of the proposed scheme! #heritage #development #sustainabledevelopment #architecture https://lnkd.in/e5FdYD_N

Called-in decision: 456-472 Oxford Street, London W1 (ref: 3301508 - 20 July 2023)

Called-in decision: 456-472 Oxford Street, London W1 (ref: 3301508 - 20 July 2023)

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

Tony Hanlon

--

1y

On first pass the wordings fluffy.  Expect more lawyers picnics

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