This guidance is for:
- property owners
- developers
- architects and agents
- amenity societies
- general public
The purpose of this supplementary planning guidance is to:
- provide advice, and outline the approach that will be adopted, in respect of the management of change to protected buildings and sites
- define the planning policy regime applicable to the protection of the historic built environment
It provides an easily accessible common source of information. Owners and users of protected buildings and sites might refer to the guidance to see how best they can accommodate their needs without harm to the particular interest of their property.
Architects and agents might consider how proposals can be developed and justified in relation to the acceptability of schemes by both clients and the Department of the Environment.
The Minister for Planning and Environment, the Planning Applications Panel and planning officers may also use the guidance to aid understanding and to ensure consistency in decision-making.
Guidance notes
It is important however to emphasise the word ‘guidance’ as this is not intended as a set of inflexible instructions. There is no intention to fetter designers or discourage innovation, but where guidance is needed this provides a simple and accessible source. It acts as an expansion of the existing planning policy framework.
Managing change in historic buildings - SPG advice note 6