Representation by Historic England (Historic England)
- Date submitted
- 15 November 2022
- Submitted by
- Other statutory consultees
Historic England The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (HBMCE) is better known as Historic England, and we are the Government’s adviser on all aspects of the historic environment in England, including historic buildings and areas, archaeology and historic landscapes. We have a duty to promote conservation, public understanding and enjoyment of the historic environment. We are an executive Non-Departmental public body and we answer to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Digital Culture, Media and Sport. We can confirm Historic England’s have been party to extensive pre-application discussions with regards to this proposal. The Proposal The construction and operation of a facility to produce heat and power from waste. The facility would be located on the Algores Way Industrial Estate, Wisbech and would comprise various components including admin block, workshops, central control room, tipping hall, waste and ash storage bunkers, turbine hall, maintenance buildings and associated electrical, water treatment and M & E infrastructure Representation We summarise our representation regarding this proposed project as follows. Please note we do not intend to attend the preliminary hearing; we will however be submitting full written representation at the appropriate date. 1. Introduction The applicant has provided a full Environmental Statement, which includes historic environment chapters and our written representation will comment more fully on the ES, however for the purposes of this representation our key considerations are summarised below. 2. Historic Environment We are aware the proposed development lies in a highly sensitive area for the historic environment. Although there are no designated heritage assets within the actual site, there are various heritage assets in relative proximity whose settings may be affected. Our records indicate that within 2km there are : 2 conservation areas; 1 registered park and garden; 286 listed buildings and 2 scheduled. It was agreed during the pre-application process that detailed assessment of the historic environment would be required for the application, and a number of the specific measures were recommended and undertaken. This including a Desk Based Assessment, an assessment of the impact of the proposal on the settings of heritage assets, as well as geophysical survey and trial trenched evaluation. The information provided is of a high standard and we broadly accept the conclusions and, further detailed comments will also be provided in our written representation. 3. Impacts on designated and non designated heritage assets Notwithstanding this our primary consideration is the impact of the proposal on views out from the southern part of the Wisbech Conservation Area (Brinks/Riverside Area), and also from the upper floors of historic buildings within the conservation area -in particular the grade II* listed Queen’s School . Historic England are keen to ensure the avoidance of significant impacts to these heritage assets however, we have had discussion with the applicant on this point and understand that this is has now been subject to further assessment in the ES for which we are grateful. Further advice will therefore be offered through our Written Representation in relation to these assets as well as commentary on other highly graded and designated heritage assets affected by the scheme. Neville Doe [REDACTED]