Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site - Wrexham ...

4. Buffer Zone and its Purpose4.1 The Outstanding Universal Value of the WorldHeritage Site is not contained purely within theinscribed area. The cultural, settled and aestheticlandscape which contribute to the presentation,setting, sense of arrival and history of the WorldHeritage Site are all important to the integrity ofthe designation. Buildings, archaeology, viewsand landscape features combine in places to formdistinctive character and sense of place whichcompliment the experience and understanding ofthe World Heritage Site. A Buffer Zone hastherefore been drawn around the World HeritageSite to allow historic, cultural and landscapeelements which contribute to the authenticity andintegrity of the Site and therefore to itsOutstanding Universal Value to be conserved.4.2 The boundary follows the principal ridgelinesof the Dee, Chirk and Ceiriog valleys to includethe Site’s broad landscape and visual context(see Map 1 in Appendix 1).4.3 The Buffer Zone itself is not of OutstandingUniversal Value, it simply defines the outer limitsof a zone containing areas which by associationwith the World Heritage Site are important to theSite’s Outstanding Universal Value. It is not thepurpose of the Buffer Zone to impose a blanketconservation approach to the entire area, but toencourage sustainable development whichthrough contextual awareness conserves andenhances the World Heritage Site.4.4 The ICOMOS Xian Declaration of 2005 is thereference point for understanding setting in thecontext of a World Heritage Site.http://www.international.icomos.org/xian2005/xian-declaration.htm5. Vision for ManagingDevelopment5.1 The objective of the Local PlanningAuthorities responsible for protecting the WorldHeritage Site is to manage development in apositive way that supports the vision for theManagement of the World Heritage Site.5.2 The following objectives are taken from page79 of the Pontcysyllte World Heritage SiteManagement Plan (2007 - 2012):● To manage the World Heritage Site and BufferZone in a sustainable manner to conserve,enhance and present the OutstandingUniversal Value of the Site locally andinternationally.● To balance the needs of protection,conservation and access, the interests of thelocal community and the achievement ofsustainable growth.● To engage with and deliver benefits to thelocal communities around the Site.● To attract visitors to the area; and● To generate income that adds value to thelocal economy or is reinvested in the runningof the Site.4.5 The full statement of Outstanding UniversalValue for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canaland the criteria the Site meets can be found athttp://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1303. Furtherexplanation can be seen in Appendix 2.3

6. General Guidance ­Planning Applications6.1 All development proposals must demonstratehow they have considered the impact on theWorld Heritage Site, of particular importance willbe:● An understanding of the character of the areain which the development is located and howdevelopment effects the setting of the WorldHeritage Site and Buffer Zone;● How the development impacts on views inand out of the World Heritage Site;● How the development contributes orminimises the impacts on the integrity andauthenticity of the World Heritage Site;● How the development contributes to thevisitors ”sense of arrival” to the WorldHeritage Site.6.2 The contents of Appendix 2 will help addresssome of these issues.Design and Access Statement6.3 The nature, scale and location ofdevelopment will be important in determining therange and depth of information that will berequired with a planning application. For themajority of applications the issues raised abovecan be addressed in the Design and AccessStatement (DAS). A typical Design and AccessStatement (DAS) needs to provide the followinginformation;● a character appraisal of the site within itscontext of the World Heritage Site and BufferZone and how the proposal impacts on theWorld Heritage Site’s Outstanding UniversalValue both aesthetically and culturally;● the design of the development and how it fitsinto the immediate area and wider landscapesetting;● setting and views of key buildings, features,landscape, archaeology and key views within,to and from the development site;● where appropriate, the use of locallydistinctive building elements, built form andconstruction techniques, such as scale, siting,massing, roof shape, roof pitches, frontage,window proportions, parapets andlandscaping, shop front design andadvertisement signs;● where appropriate, the use of locallydistinctive facing materials such as naturalslate, building materials, brick quoins ornatural stone, rainwater goods, windows,doors, porches, shop front design and in bothbuildings and the public realm;● justifying high quality modern design thatrespects its location and setting;● a description of boundary details includingmeans of enclosure of landscape features,open spaces and gardens; and● public realm and how pavements, parkingareas, lighting, waste bins etc relate to thedesign principles of the proposal.● Sense of arrival, consideration of howdevelopment would impact on the sense ofarriving at the World Heritage Site.6.4 Each Council welcomes appropriate moderndesign that contributes positively to the characterof the World Heritage Site and its Buffer Zone.4

6.5 Certain types of development do not requirethe submission of a Design and Access Statement(DAS) (refer to Table 1 for more information) butthe considerations discussed above will still bematerial to planning decisions. It would bebeneficial to your application to produce a shortstatement stating how your design proposalsrelate to these issues. Major applications inEngland, including those subject to EnvironmentalImpact Assessment are likely to require aseparate Heritage Statement which considerseach of the above points in more detail.6.6 Some development will not require a planningapplication, such as work carried out by statutoryundertakers and development subject toagricultural and forestry notifications. In all casesit may be required to seek approval for the siting,design and external appearance of the proposalwhere it is considered that the proposal may beharmful to the setting or Outstanding UniversalValue of the World Heritage Site.6.7 The type of development, its scale, location,siting and design can lead to dramatically differentimpacts on the World Heritage Site. Smalldevelopment such as an extension to a residentialproperty can have a significant impact if it isdirectly next to the World Heritage Site, whilelarge developments such as a housing estate mayhave a very limited impact when far removed fromthe World Heritage Site. Developers will need todemonstrate why there is no impact in thesupporting documentation accompanying theplanning application.6.8 Plan 2 and Table 1 (below) sets out moredetailed guidance on the different types ofdevelopment and the approach required. Thesescenarios do not intend to cover all possibilities,but do include the main circumstances wheredevelopment could threaten the World HeritageSite and Buffer Zone.Plan 2: Typical Development Scenarios (Illustrative guide to typical development scenarios).5

Table 1 – Typical Development ScenariosDevelopmentScenarioDevelopmentTypeDetailed Guidance1. Any developmentwithin the WHS, orimmediately adjacentto it.2. Small scaledevelopment withinthe Buffer Zone insettlement limits.● Typically small scale● Householder(residential extensionsand conservatories)● Changes of use● Minor touristdevelopment (toilets,small parking areas,picnic areas).● Householderdevelopments● Shop front or smallscale retail developmentin urban areas● Minor development(less than 10 dwellings).● Minor tourist development for essential small scalefacilities could be appropriate in the open countrysidewhere the openness of the countryside is maintained.● Design and materials important.● Statement required to state how the developmentcontributes to the WHS’s character.● Use the guidance within Section 6 and Appendix 2 toassess whether the proposal is of local impact or ofwider impact on the WHS.● Detail this analysis within a Design and AccessStatement (DAS). If it can be demonstrated that theproposal is of local impact the DAS should looktowards local character for design guidance.● Any development that impacts on the WHS’s “sense ofarrival” or on buildings or landscape features e.g.archaeological features or buildings of historical orcultural association with the WHS that contribute to itsOutstanding Universal Value should stipulate how theeffects of development will be mitigated.3. Small scaledevelopment withinthe Buffer Zone inrural areas.● Rural conversions● Small scale agriculturaldevelopment.● Use the guidance within Section 6 and Appendix 2 toassess whether the proposal is of local impact or ofwider impact on the WHS.● Detail this analysis within a Design and AccessStatement (DAS).● If it can be demonstrated that the proposal is of localimpact the DAS should look towards local character fordesign guidance.● Any development that impacts on the WHS’s “sense ofarrival” or on buildings or landscape features e.g.archaeological features or buildings of historical orcultural association with the WHS that contribute to itsOutstanding Universal Value should identify how theeffects of development will be mitigated.● Development subject to agricultural notifications maybe required to seek approval for the siting, design andexternal appearance of the proposal where it isconsidered that the proposal may be harmful to thesetting or Outstanding Universal Value of the WHS.● Development by Statutory Undertakers (Gas andElectricity) may require approval for the design andexternal appearance of works as detailed in theGeneral Permitted Development Order.6

7. Development AffectingAssociated UndesignatedFeatures7.1 Several undesignated archaeological featureswithin the Buffer Zone are closely associated withthe World Heritage Site and are important for itsinterpretation (e.g. the industries that providedeconomic justification for building the site,features associated with the construction of thesite e.g. iron works, tramways, settlements andquarry workings).7.2 An Archaeological Audit is available whichconsiders the purpose and function of thesefeatures; their relevance to the World HeritageSite; their significance (whether local, regional,national or international) It may be necessary forarchaeological surveys to be undertaken andappropriate mitigation may be required to make adevelopment acceptable. Advice can be givenat preapplication stage.8. Other Considerations8.1 The rich cultural and valued landscape settingof the World Heritage Site and the Buffer Zone isapparent within the high number of statutory andnonstatutory designations within the area(including the European Designation ”Special Areaof Conservation” on the River Dee). WorldHeritage Site designation does not remove theseobligations or diminish their significance withinplanning decisions. Below is a list of a relevantfew, and you are advised to contact your LocalPlanning Authority to check.Scheduled Ancient Monument & ListedBuildings Consent8.2 The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal is aScheduled Ancient Monument (SAM). Works to aScheduled Ancient Monument or on land adjoininga Scheduled Ancient Monument require separateconsent from Cadw in Wales or English Heritagein England. Listed Building Consent is also aeparate consent from the relevant Council that isrequired for works to a listed building.8

Conservation Areas8.3 There are to date 6 Conservation Areas withinthe World Heritage Site Buffer Zone. These areareas of special architectural or historic interest,the character or appearance of which should bepreserved and/or enhanced. To assistdevelopment each has their own characterappraisal detailing the main features of the areaand local guidance to preserve or enhance thatcharacter.Article 4(2) Directions8.4 Article 4(2) directions remove the permitteddevelopment rights to houses within a designatedarea, where character of such features are felt tobe important, for example changes in materials ofexternal walls, windows and boundary walls.These are in place in Cefn Mawr, Chirk andPontcysyllte Aqueduct Conservation Areas. It maybe appropriate to add more directions in thefuture. This will be undertaken in full consultationwith the local community. To confirm whether yourproperty has had an Article 4 direction imposedand the content of the direction please contact therelevant local authority.Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty - ProposedDesignation 20118.5 Much of the World Heritage Site lies withinlandscape which has been assessed as havingnatural beauty of national significance. Theassessment of pressures which affect the naturalbeauty of the area and the consideration ofmechanisms which enable landscape protectionand enhancement, concluded that statutorydesignation as an Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty was the most appropriate mechanism.Designation brings with it statutory planningcontrols, a statutory management plan andcommunity engagement within the landscapemanagement and enhancement of the area. TheCountryside Council for Wales approved a DraftOrder in February 2011 and the making of thedesignation is currently under review by the WelshAssembly Government, with a decision likelytowards the end of 2011.8.6 The World Heritage Site and Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty share a commoninterest in the conservation and enhancement ofbuilt and natural features of national andinternational significance. The cultural, historic,landscape character and quality features of thearea are as important to the setting and integrityof the World Heritage Site and they are to thenatural beauty of the Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty.8.7 It is important to ensure that planning andmanagement decisions conserve and enhance thefeatures important to both designations. To aidplanning decisions a supplementary planningguidance note will be prepared for the Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty once designated.Environmental Impact Assessment8.8 Development that is major or significant inscale may require an Environmental ImpactAssessment (EIA). An EIA is required for certainspecified types of development likely to have asignificant affect on the environment by virtue oftheir nature, size or location. World Heritage Sitesare ”sensitive areas” for the purposes of the EIARegulations. This means that the Council willrequire an Environmental Impact Assessment tobe carried out for any development proposal in, orpartly in, a World Heritage Site if they consider itis likely to have a significant effect on theenvironment.9

10. World Heritage Site Nomination, Management,Characterisation and Features● Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal Nominationas a World Heritage Site - NominationDocument (2009)● Pontcysyllte and its canal: World HeritageManagement Plan (2007)● Pontcysyllte Landscape and VisualAssessment (2007)● Pontcysyllte Archaeological Audit (2007)● Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Conservation AreaAssessment and Management Plan (2009)● Tree and Ecology Management Plan (2010)● Llangollen Conservation Area Appraisal(1997-1998)● Llantysilio Conservation Area Appraisal (1997)● Trevor Mill / Plas yn Pentre (1997-1998)● Cefn Mawr Conservation Area CharacterAssessment (2005)● Chirk Conservation Area CharacterAssessment (2001)● Clwyd Register of Landscapes, Parks andGardens of Special Historic Interest inWales Part 1: Parks and Gardens (CADW/ ICOMOS UK)● Register of landscapes of Special HistoricInterest in Wales (CADW/ ICOMOS UK)● Vale of Llangollen and Eglwyseg HistoricLandscape Characterisation (Clwyd-PowysArchaeological Trust)● LANDMAP – Provides an assessment of 5aspects which together contribute to theWelsh landscape: geological landscapes;visual and sensory landscapes; landscapehabitats; cultural landscapes and historiclandscapes http://test.landmap.ccw.gov.ukCounty Landscape Assessments:● Denbighshire Landscape Strategy (2003)● Wrexham LANDMAP SupplementaryPlanning Guidance● Shropshire Landscape Typology(September 2006)11

Appendix 1: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site▲ ▲12

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Appendix 2: Additional clarification – Outstanding Universal Value.OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE“World Heritage Sites are places of outstanding universal value to the whole of humanity”¨Communities and Local Government Circular 07/2009: Protection of World Heritage Sites (July 2009).What are we protecting?“Outstanding universal value” means culturaland/or natural significance which is so exceptionalas to transcend national boundaries. In June 2009UNESCO inscribed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct andCanal on the World Heritage List because it bearswitness to very substantial internationalinterchanges and influences in the fields of inlandwaterways, civil engineering, land-use planning,and the application of iron in structural design.Thefull statement of Outstanding Universal Value forthe Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal and thecriteria the site meets can be found athttp://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1303In order to be inscribed on the UNESCO WorldHeritage Site list a site has to demonstrate andmeet one or more of ten criteria to assessOutstanding Universal Value, satisfy requirementsof authenticity and/or integrity and demonstratethe site’s importance. UNESCO considersPontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal satisfies threeOutstanding Universal Value criteria.These are:● It is a masterpiece of two of the exceptionalfigures in the heroic phase of civil engineeringin the late eighteenth and early nineteenthcenturies;● It exhibits important international interchangesof values in inland navigation, civil engineeringand the application of iron to structural design;and● It is an outstanding example of transportimprovements in the Industrial Revolution,which initiated the process of industrialisationthat spread to Europe, North America and theentire globe.Some of the key features from the adoptedstatement of Outstanding Universal Value are:● recognition of the difficult geographicalenvironment and the use of extensive andboldly conceived civil engineering works thatresulted in monumental architecture;● acknowledgement that the integrity of thelandscapes and the Buffer Zone of theproperty (World Heritage Site) contribute to theexpression of the value of the property (WorldHeritage Site);● noting the property (World Heritage Site) hasall the values of integrity as a major historiccanal of the Industrial Revolution; and● noting the good degree of authenticity betweenthe buildings associated with the canal and itsimmediate environment.The content of the following boxes explains theterms referred to in paragraph 6.1 ofthe Local Guidance Note.14

Outstanding Universal Value, Character.Character appraisals should identify the local distinctiveness and special interest of the visual andcultural environment.The principal aims of character appraisals are to:­● identify the factors that create the “quality of place”;● define what built and natural features chiefly reflect this character and what is most worthconserving;● identify what has suffered damage or loss and may need reinstating;● establish how the development proposals sit within the character of the WHS and bufferzone in which it is located.A character appraisal should ensure that the quality of townscape / rural scape in its broadest senseis understood as well as protected to ensure that new development is sympathetic to the areasspecial interest.It is the character of the World Heritage Site of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal and the parts of thebuffer zone affected by development proposals that should be the prime consideration in a characterappraisal. Appraisals of development sites should consider: ­● architectural character;● the layout and grouping (perhaps historic) of property boundaries and street patterns, lanes ortracks;● the scale of buildings, building block patterns, frontage sizes (vertical, horizontal); fenestrationpatterns; a building’s relationship to outdoor spaces;● any architectural detailing or rhythm to building frontages;● any particular mix of building or land uses;● characteristic local materials to buildings and other surfaces, such as walls, gates, railings etc;● the mix and importance of focus and background buildings;● the mix and importance of open spaces and hard and soft landscaping;● important views and visual compositions to and from the development site in relation to the WHS(including vistas along streets and between buildings where relevant);● important topographical features● quality of advertisements.The appraisal should form the basis of the design and quality of new development taking all theabove factors into consideration. Maps and photographs should also assist in this process.Further work is being undertaken by Cadw to assist with identification of characterisation.15

Outstanding Universal Value, Views Relating to the World Heritage Site.All developments need to consider whether they fall within views of the World Heritage Site and/orare viewed from the World Heritage Site. If a proposal falls within such views then the developerneeds to consider the impact of development on the setting of the World Heritage Site and thecharacter of the Buffer Zone.Views of the World Heritage Site are important for appreciating the site and its integrity andauthenticity. In some cases it may be required to preserve an existing view, in other cases it may bedesirable to leave a view obscured for example where opening up a view would reveal previouslyhidden insensitive development. Development proposals will be considered for opportunities toenhance views of the site in the design, siting and landscaping of the proposal.Within the Buffer Zone are significant views which have historic or cultural value. These views may befrom historic sites like Castell Dinas Bran, A5 or from tourist attractions and national trails such asOffa’s Dyke, Clwydian Way, Maelor Way, or may provide attractive views of the principal features ofthe World Heritage Site.The significant views have been identified in the World Heritage Site nomination document:Pontcysyllte Landscape and Visual Assessment (2007).Outstanding Universal Value, Authenticity and Integrity.Integrity means completeness/intactness of the attributes needed to convey Outstanding UniversalValue;The adopted statement of Outstanding Universal Value for Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site notes thehigh integrity of the site as a major historic canal of the Industrial Revolution. It also notes the integrityof the landscape contributes to the expression of the value of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal.Authenticity means the link between attributes (attributes could take a variety of forms e.g. materialsand substance, use and function, form and design or other forms of intangible heritage) andOutstanding Universal Value. How well those links convey Outstanding Universal Value;The adopted statement of Outstanding Universal Value for Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site notes thegood degree of authenticity between buildings associated with the canal and its immediateenvironment.16

Outstanding Universal Value, Sense of Arrival.A journey along major road and rail access routes to the World Heritage Site creates a ‘sense ofarrival’ for visitors and can help interpret the value of the World Heritage Site and its OutstandingUniversal Value. Development proposals along the major tourist access routes will need to considerhow the proposal relates to this ‘sense of arrival’ and how it can positively contribute to it.The Buffer Zone has a value in its own right where it creates a ‘sense of arrival’ to the World HeritageSite. This includes buildings, sites or landscape features that contribute to the Outstanding UniversalValue of the World Heritage Site. These features may not be visible to or from the World Heritage Sitebut may be important to the character of that particular part of the Buffer Zone.For development with a significant influence on the ‘sense of arrival’ by virtue of its scale, size,location or nature a context appraisal will need to be undertaken as part of the Design and AccessStatement. The Design and Access Statement will need to consider the various landscape and urbancharacters along the route including the character of the World Heritage Site and the OutstandingUniversal Value of the site. The development design will need to react positively to this context.For example with the Outstanding Universal Value in mind, a drive to the World Heritage Site throughthe rural valley gives views of the difficult geographical environment in which the World Heritage Sitewas engineered, reveals views of the monumental architecture, passes settlements with historicassociation to the World Heritage Site and finally a visit to the World Heritage Site reveals theengineering solutions to the difficult terrain. Context appraisal may reveal an opportunity to open upviews of the World Heritage Site and the valley, it may provide historic industrial links, buildings orfeatures that could be reflected in the design or it could provide inspiration for materials.Minor development (householder, change of use) along the main access routes will have more limitedimpact, in these circumstances a high quality of design and landscaping in keeping with the localitywill be required.17

Key Contacts● Wrexham County Borough CouncilCommunity Wellbeing and DevelopmentLambpit StreetWrexham LL11 1ARTel: 01978 292485 General EnquiriesTel: 01978 292019 Conservation Enquiriesweb: www.wrexham.gov.uk/planning● Denbighshire County CouncilDevelopment ControlCaledfrynSmithfield RoadDenbigh LL16 3RJTel: 01824 706727web: www.denbighshire.gov.uk● Shropshire CouncilDevelopment ServicesShirehall, Abbey ForegateShrewsburyShropshire SY2 6NDTel: 0345 678 9004web: www.shropshire.gov.ukThis document is available in alternative formats.Please cal 01978 292013 for your copy.Maer’ ddogfen hon ar gael ynGymraeg. Ffoniwch 01978 292013ameich copi.