How to Tackle the Historic Environment in Neighbourhood Plans

The Case of the Harrogate Town Plan Forum Project

By placement student Olivia Boyle from the University of York

---

Harrogate - Montpellier Hill

The Harrogate Neighbourhood Plan Project came about in anticipation of the new North Yorkshire Local Plan (estimated to be adopted in 2028/2029), which will replace the current local plan with one that extends far beyond the borough of Harrogate. The intention behind this project is to supplement the existing local plan with a new neighbourhood planning document, so as to ensure Harrogate receives specific guidance for sustainable development which protects the town’s interests.

This project by the Harrogate Town Plan Forum seeks to identify an initial set of issues and planning objectives by the end of April 2025 to help shape sustainable development within the town. At present, this has included the recommendation of a boundary for the neighbourhood plan. However, a series of individual issues and objectives are also to be tackled by each subgroup set up by the HTPF in order that a number of different planning topics might be covered. In heritage terms, this might include the identification of types of heritage which are recognised to be specific to Harrogate which require addressing within the plan; recommendations regarding where further character area assessments might be required; and methods by which to enhance the identification of non-designated heritage assets.

It is hoped that these recommendations will aid the new town council in the creation of a neighbourhood plan for Harrogate, while encouraging an ongoing working relationship with the Harrogate Town Plan Forum and continuing engagement with the local community during the preparation of this supplementary planning document. As a Harrogate-based business, Blue Willow Heritage has welcomed such community-led projects, and have stood on the interim management committee to support the initial development of the project. We have also initiated the work of the Heritage Subgroup in order to help shape development in our local area.

Where do Neighbourhood Plans sit in National Planning Policy?

• 

  Building in Valley Gardens

• 

  Betty's Cafe Tea Room, Harrogate

• 

  Sun Pavillon, Valley Gardens

In a nutshell, planning frameworks in England generally take the form of three tiers of policy areas and administration, and ranges from national level down to a more localised level, and finally, to a highly targeted neighbourhood area - as embodied by various supplementary planning documents which might produce a number of individual policy frameworks. In particular, national legislation stems from the government, taking the form of the National Planning Policy Framework. At a more regional level, planning takes the form of local plans, which build upon national policy and legislation to manage the development of a particular area. Local communities may further individualise such policies through the use of neighbourhood plans, which are made between a council and qualifying neighbourhood body - such as a parish council or neighbourhood forum. The ambition of the Harrogate Town Plan Forum is to assist Harrogate’s new town council in the creation of a plan such as this.

How does Heritage Come Into This?

• 

  The Crown, Harrogate

• 

  Sun Collonade, Valley Gardens

• 

  The Town Centre

Heritage is a central feature of town planning, with Chapter 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework devoted solely to protecting and preserving heritage assets in the face of development. It is also hugely important to a place like Harrogate, whose identity and appearance has been largely shaped by its history as a spa town. In the case of the Harrogate Town Plan Forum project, this has taken the form of reviewing and expanding upon existing heritage policies in a way which is highly targeted to the local area.

Neighbourhood plans play a key role in enriching the historic environment. They might include undertaking tasks such as character appraisals of a given area; the preparation of local lists; recommendations for assets included on the heritage at risk register; and the reviewing of conservation area boundaries.

Character appraisals which outline an area’s positive characteristics - including those features which contribute to local distinctiveness - can be used to encapsulate the history and identity of a community through its built and archaeological environment. Existing toolkits prepared by Historic England provide valuable guidance to such endeavours undertaken by neighbourhood planning groups. Members might also prepare a local heritage list which can then be referenced in the resulting supplementary planning document and can thereafter receive formal ratification by the local authority. 

Work by Blue Willow Heritage

• 

  Results of the Poll

• 

  Delivery of presentation by Blue Willow Heritage

With this in mind, Blue Willow Heritage recently led a Harrogate Town Plan Forum meeting on the topic of Heritage and the Built Environment. This meeting took participants through how the historic environment might be approached by the neighbourhood forum, beginning with an explanation of existing policy frameworks - including both nationally and locally relevant policy, together with existing article 4 directions. The concepts of non-designated heritage assets and local listing were also explored, before the session concluded with recommendations for a series of objectives and tasks which could feasibly be undertaken during the preparation of the neighbourhood plan. 

Additionally, data was gathered from the audience in the form of questions and activities. The first activity comprised a series of breakout groups, whereby participants were encouraged to explore and annotate Policies HP2 and HP3 from the heritage and placemaking section of the Harrogate District Local Plan. The second activity took the form of an interactive mentimeter poll in response to the question: ‘What words would you use to describe Harrogate in the heritage and placemaking chapters of neighbourhood planning documents?’ Such culminated in the production of a word cloud for the group to collectively discuss and reflect upon. Both activities revealed a number of sentiments and wishes for the town, including a desire for the production of a series of specific heritage policies to guide sustainable development in the town; the enhancement of Harrogate’s significance as a spa town; and an emphasis on the importance of the natural environment to heritage and placemaking, particularly with regards to local distinctiveness.

How Can I Get Involved?

If you are interested in helping shape the production of the Harrogate Neighbourhood Plan, why not try attending forum meetings and subgroup workshops! To stay up to date with the work of the group, together with the dates of upcoming meetings, subscribe to the mailing list for the Harrogate Town Plan Forum.

---

Often, the preparation of local planning documents requires professional expertise. Employing paid consultants can help bring the work of community groups to the finish line. If you require assistance with the production of your Neighbourhood Plan, why not get in touch today!