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AGUIDANCE ON TEMPORARY STRUCTURES FOR EVENTS
Response to a consultation document produced by English Heritage

Introduction

Here is a summary of the key items of interest to CHG members:

1. This consultation document has been prepared by English Heritage primarily to guide both landowners and local authorities in how to deal with the approval of and construction of temporary structures for events being held in historic places.
2. The basic thesis is that such events (and the resulting temporary structures) are often essential to providing an income to owners of historic buildings, parks and gardens for their continued maintenance.  Therefore whilst it is considered that holding such is often a good thing – there are concerns that any resulting structures are carefully designed and sited, no irreparable damage is caused, the structures are there for a defined temporary period and the site is cleared-up afterwards.

     3.    The short-term events considered include concerts, fairs, rallies, horse trials, circuses, location filming, outdoor art exhibitions, corporate hospitality, weddings and charity events. The possible structures include: marquees; ice rinks; stages, barriers and seating; large-format television screens; sports and play equipment; services and plant/machinery; temporary buildings (Portakabins), toilets and containers; art installations; and sets for location filming.

4. Some such situations have arisen already ie.

• The erection of a marquee on a long-term basis – subject to application for renewals – to enable weddings to be held at an EH  Listed country house (now used as a hotel), pending additional permanent constructions; and
• The temporary use of screens and advertising overlooking the Solent during international sailing races.

It is also important to note that EH anticipate a greater need for such temporary structures during the London Olympics in 2012. It should be noted that demands would not only arise at the Olympic sites in London, but also at other sites ie. Weymouth for sailing events.

5. Advertisements for events, unless they are temporary and for local events of religious or social nature and not for commercial purposes, will require planning permission.
6. Trees on the site will be protected if they are in a Conservation Area or subject to Tree Preservation Orders.

Conclusions

EH states in para. 6.1 “Local authorities have a responsibility to protect the historic environment in their areas through their planning policies and development control decisions.”  Thus once again it is the local authorities who should be providing this protection and EH is helping local authorities to undertake these statutory duties through their guidance – both in the form of documents and through HELM. 

Generally I find the guidance provided in this document to be sound with one exception. In paragraph 7.2.6 it includes Registered Parks and Gardens (as defined in PPG15 paragraph 2.24) as a heritage designation that would need to be carefully examined when a local authority is determining a planning application. However in checking PPG15, I find that Registered Parks and Gardens refers only to English Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

I therefore feel that it is important to include other historic parks and gardens of regional or local importance. Some of these have been researched by some County Gardens Trusts, but others are only known about and listed.   In this way the numbers of historic parks and gardens that may be subject to application for temporary structures for events can be monitored by the CGTs through their local planning authorities (LPAs).  However it is often very difficult to get many LPAs to consult with local Gardens Trusts and only if EH, on behalf of the Government, guide local authorities in this direction then we may obtain more involvement and be able to conserve and protect.

Large Digital Screens in Public Places

Guidance from EH and CABE

This guidance is primarily aimed at local authorities who will receive planning applications for large digital screens in public places – some of which will arise as part of the Live Sites programme of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Live Sites screens are permanent, large scale digital screens of varying sizes (typically up to 7.3m wide and 4.1m high. There are increasing numbers of applications from broadcasters and commercial companies to install such large digital screens and, with the development of digital media equipment and technology, Live Sites (and the current sizes of screens) may be only one amongst many future initiatives.

Whilst many of such applications are for urban (towns and cities) areas these contain public parks – many of which are classified within historic parks and gardens. To a point this is recognised by reference to “registered parks and gardens”, but again such a classification relates only to those on the English Heritage Register.

Conclusions

As members of County Gardens Trusts we should be aware that our local planning authorities could therefore receive applications for such screens.

The key points to check (as advised) with your local authority are:

• recognise the need and to have a plan-led approach with relevant policies.  These could include an assessment that there are substantial benefits and that harmful attributes are minimised;
• take in to consideration whether these screens are temporary (for the 2012 Olympics or other events) or permanent (commercial/advertising)
• assess the impact of the proposals on the historic environment of parks and gardens;
• they avoid registered parks and gardens and their settings;
• discourage any such proposals in significant open spaces;
• ensure that they retain the ability to review the impact of the screen through a limited period permissions and other measures so that unsatisfactory screens can be amended or refused.

Tony Hurrell
Conservation Group
AGT  16 June 2009