Listed Buildings and Conservation Area Viability Requirements

The Council's overriding concern will be the conservation and/or protection of the listed building and/or wider conservation area, in full accordance with the built heritage policies set out in the Plan Strategy. In particular for listed or non-listed buildings in a conservation area, every effort should be made to find an appropriate viable alternative use for the building, which may not be the developer's preferred use. This should involve placing the asset for sale, or lease on the open market at realistic market values. It is therefore considered appropriate that in all cases where viability challenges are argued in respect of development proposals involving listed buildings or non-listed buildings within conservation areas, a full viability appraisal should be submitted as part of a planning application.