Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Support
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10243
Received: 02/09/2022
Respondent: Natural England - East of England Region
Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
Natural England has no comments to make on the Draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans for Pirton.
The lack of comment from Natural England should not be interpreted as a statement that there are no impacts on the natural environment. Other bodies and individuals may wish to make comments that might help the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to fully take account of any environmental risks and opportunities relating to this document.
Should the proposal be amended in a way which significantly affects its impact on the natural environment, then in accordance with Section 4 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, please consult Natural England again.
Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
Natural England has no comments to make on the Draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans for Pirton.
The lack of comment from Natural England should not be interpreted as a statement that there are no impacts on the natural environment. Other bodies and individuals may wish to make comments that might help the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to fully take account of any environmental risks and opportunities relating to this document.
Should the proposal be amended in a way which significantly affects its impact on the natural environment, then in accordance with Section 4 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, please consult Natural England again.
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10244
Received: 06/09/2022
Respondent: Mr Phil Cook
See Attached
Please find attached completed form to advise you of my concerns regarding adding land of mine into the new conservation area, I see no need for it to be part of the new area proposed.
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10245
Received: 09/09/2022
Respondent: Hertfordshire County Council - Environment & Infrastructure Department
The Historic Environment team wish to make the following comments,
• We would always advise that authorities engage with the HCC Historic Environment team during the preparation of consultation documents of this nature.
• The consultation documents are not clear if the Historic Environment Record (HER) have been consulted. If the HER has not been consulted then this should be done both because it is a requirement of the NPPF but also because it provides the most complete record for heritage assets for the county, including historic buildings. If the HER has not been consulted, please consult the HER and revise the CAAMPs. If the HER has been consulted then please acknowledge this accordingly within the CAAMPs.
• It is noted that at least one of the Scheduled Monuments shown in the document for Pirton are incorrect and therefore Historic England should be contacted to confirm the correct extent of Scheduled Monuments.
• Both the documents should be prepared using a comprehensive walk over survey of the settlements to inform their respective recommendations.
• It is encouraging that the documents have included sections on archaeological remains (heritage assets with archaeological interest), and we advise that the historic environment should be looked at in a more holistic way, including conservation and archaeology. This thread should be continued throughout the documents. For example the meaning of the terms ‘Heritage’,’ undesignated heritage assets’ and ‘’local lists should be clarified. Namely that all these do not only include locally listed buildings but archaeological features/remains as well. For example (and these may not be exhaustive) this is unclear in Ashwell page 64, Pirton, pages 57-8.
The Historic Environment team wish to make the following comments,
• We would always advise that authorities engage with the HCC Historic Environment team during the preparation of consultation documents of this nature.
• The consultation documents are not clear if the Historic Environment Record (HER) have been consulted. If the HER has not been consulted then this should be done both because it is a requirement of the NPPF but also because it provides the most complete record for heritage assets for the county, including historic buildings. If the HER has not been consulted, please consult the HER and revise the CAAMPs. If the HER has been consulted then please acknowledge this accordingly within the CAAMPs.
• It is noted that at least one of the Scheduled Monuments shown in the document for Pirton are incorrect and therefore Historic England should be contacted to confirm the correct extent of Scheduled Monuments.
• Both the documents should be prepared using a comprehensive walk over survey of the settlements to inform their respective recommendations.
• It is encouraging that the documents have included sections on archaeological remains (heritage assets with archaeological interest), and we advise that the historic environment should be looked at in a more holistic way, including conservation and archaeology. This thread should be continued throughout the documents. For example the meaning of the terms ‘Heritage’,’ undesignated heritage assets’ and ‘’local lists should be clarified. Namely that all these do not only include locally listed buildings but archaeological features/remains as well. For example (and these may not be exhaustive) this is unclear in Ashwell page 64, Pirton, pages 57-8.
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10289
Received: 21/08/2022
Respondent: Pirton History Group
This note has been prepared by Helen Hofton, chair of the Pirton History Group, following the public consultation meeting held in Pirton Village Hall in June 2022. After the meeting, informal discussions took place with Laura Johnson of North Herts Council about the importance of the Water Tower on Priors Hill as a symbol of the village and as a local landmark. Pirton people often say: “when you can see the Water Tower, you know you are home!”
As background, it is important to note that Pirton is a spring-line settlement. Running water was not piped into houses until 1936 and many houses relied on wells until the late 1940s. The Water Tower was built in 1936 to hold water, which was pumped from a spring at the bottom of Priors Hill.
After the Tower was built, the late local resident Walter Christmas, who lived at 6 Great Green, was employed by the Water Board to take recordings of water levels and to maintain the Tower and the grounds within which it stood. His grand daughter, Julie Writer, recalled recently how in the 1950’s she would accompany her grandfather to the Tower. He would climb the ladder to the top and shout down readings of water levels for her to record.
It is possible that this technique was learned from the military.
In the war years, the Tower had another function. It provided a look out towards Shillington to the West, across Bedfordshire to the North and towards Holwell, Hitchin and Stevenage to the East. However, views to the South and towards Luton were obscured by Highdown Hill. If enemy aircraft were sighted, then the information was shouted to the communication specialists on the ground to be relayed by telephone to (presumably) the Royal Observer Corps. There are no records to suggest that the look outs gave warning of the “Doodle Bug” that struck the village in 1944. Although several houses were seriously damaged, the Water Tower escaped intact.
Having spoken to many residents of Pirton – old and young -- it was found that, when asked to pick an icon to represent the village, the most popular by far was the Water Tower. It was not timber-framed houses, or the pubs, or the Church. One local artist made a print of the Tower (see attached) and it has been used as an illustration by the British Water Tower Appreciation Society.
Noting also that Hill Farm the adjoining property has now been included in the Conservation Area, the above sets out some of the reasons why the Water Tower should also be considered to be part of the Conservation Area.
This note has been prepared by Helen Hofton, chair of the Pirton History Group, following the public consultation meeting held in Pirton Village Hall in June 2022. After the meeting, informal discussions took place with Laura Johnson of North Herts Council about the importance of the Water Tower on Priors Hill as a symbol of the village and as a local landmark. Pirton people often say: “when you can see the Water Tower, you know you are home!”
As background, it is important to note that Pirton is a spring-line settlement. Running water was not piped into houses until 1936 and many houses relied on wells until the late 1940s. The Water Tower was built in 1936 to hold water, which was pumped from a spring at the bottom of Priors Hill.
After the Tower was built, the late local resident Walter Christmas, who lived at 6 Great Green, was employed by the Water Board to take recordings of water levels and to maintain the Tower and the grounds within which it stood. His grand daughter, Julie Writer, recalled recently how in the 1950’s she would accompany her grandfather to the Tower. He would climb the ladder to the top and shout down readings of water levels for her to record.
It is possible that this technique was learned from the military.
In the war years, the Tower had another function. It provided a look out towards Shillington to the West, across Bedfordshire to the North and towards Holwell, Hitchin and Stevenage to the East. However, views to the South and towards Luton were obscured by Highdown Hill. If enemy aircraft were sighted, then the information was shouted to the communication specialists on the ground to be relayed by telephone to (presumably) the Royal Observer Corps. There are no records to suggest that the look outs gave warning of the “Doodle Bug” that struck the village in 1944. Although several houses were seriously damaged, the Water Tower escaped intact.
Having spoken to many residents of Pirton – old and young -- it was found that, when asked to pick an icon to represent the village, the most popular by far was the Water Tower. It was not timber-framed houses, or the pubs, or the Church. One local artist made a print of the Tower (see attached) and it has been used as an illustration by the British Water Tower Appreciation Society.
Noting also that Hill Farm the adjoining property has now been included in the Conservation Area, the above sets out some of the reasons why the Water Tower should also be considered to be part of the Conservation Area.
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10290
Received: 13/09/2022
Respondent: Pirton Parish Council
See Attached
See Attached
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10291
Received: 12/09/2022
Respondent: Mr Wilfred Aspinall
See Attached
See Attached
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10292
Received: 12/09/2022
Respondent: Gladman Developments Ltd
See Attached
See Attached
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10293
Received: 30/08/2022
Respondent: Mr and Mrs Alan and Susan Hack
Number of people: 2
We live in Pirton conservation area, just behind Little/Chipping Green and would like to make the following comments to the paper that has been produced. Our comments are specifically regarding car parking within the conservation area.
In summary, Since moving to Pirton, some 15 months ago we have had a constant battle with residents, visitors and general work vans parking on Little/Chipping Green (photos attached for your information). This parking is encouraged by a dropped kerb section of the green directly adjacent to our driveway. We have been been in dialogue with both The Highways and Pirton Parish Council for 12 months now. The Highways inspected this area and decided there was an issue and planned to install a barrier to the dropped kerb area. Pirton Parish Council decided that this was not required. Pirton Parish Council then suggested chain link fencing to the drop down kerb but this was later also withdrawn. A further meeting was arranged with ourselves, Pirton Parish Council and The Highways after parking of cars/vans continued to Little/Chipping Green. At this meeting The Highways suggested 'no parking' signs and planters to enhance the green and deter the parking. This seemed to be the agreement at the end of the meeting but unfortunately the Parish Council, once again, decided this was not required and the situation was to be monitored. The monitoring period has now been over 5 months and the parking continues..
Reading the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan for Pirton we have noted the comments regarding car parking and the detrimental effect it has on conservation areas. Little/Chipping Green is showing signs of damage and the first view as you enter the village from Hitchin Road//Great Green is of cars parked on the green as can be seen in the attached photos. These photos are just a small selection of the photos we have accumulated over the past 12 months. This certainly does not enhance the conservation area in any way whatsoever. Surely it would be better to see planters and 'no parking' signs (even wooden posts) instead of the vision of parked cars on Little/Chipping Green as you enter the village. (Reference 4.2 Car Parking).
We hope you will take our comments on board as, we are sure you will agree, there are times when signs and street furniture are the only answer to a problem that is both detrimental to the conservation area of Little/Chipping Green but also a health and safety issue as the path adjacent to our driveway is a busy thoroughfare for Pirton Village residents to Bury End and Toot Hill.
See attached photos
We live in Pirton conservation area, just behind Little/Chipping Green and would like to make the following comments to the paper that has been produced. Our comments are specifically regarding car parking within the conservation area.
In summary, Since moving to Pirton, some 15 months ago we have had a constant battle with residents, visitors and general work vans parking on Little/Chipping Green (photos attached for your information). This parking is encouraged by a dropped kerb section of the green directly adjacent to our driveway. We have been been in dialogue with both The Highways and Pirton Parish Council for 12 months now. The Highways inspected this area and decided there was an issue and planned to install a barrier to the dropped kerb area. Pirton Parish Council decided that this was not required. Pirton Parish Council then suggested chain link fencing to the drop down kerb but this was later also withdrawn. A further meeting was arranged with ourselves, Pirton Parish Council and The Highways after parking of cars/vans continued to Little/Chipping Green. At this meeting The Highways suggested 'no parking' signs and planters to enhance the green and deter the parking. This seemed to be the agreement at the end of the meeting but unfortunately the Parish Council, once again, decided this was not required and the situation was to be monitored. The monitoring period has now been over 5 months and the parking continues..
Reading the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan for Pirton we have noted the comments regarding car parking and the detrimental effect it has on conservation areas. Little/Chipping Green is showing signs of damage and the first view as you enter the village from Hitchin Road//Great Green is of cars parked on the green as can be seen in the attached photos. These photos are just a small selection of the photos we have accumulated over the past 12 months. This certainly does not enhance the conservation area in any way whatsoever. Surely it would be better to see planters and 'no parking' signs (even wooden posts) instead of the vision of parked cars on Little/Chipping Green as you enter the village. (Reference 4.2 Car Parking).
We hope you will take our comments on board as, we are sure you will agree, there are times when signs and street furniture are the only answer to a problem that is both detrimental to the conservation area of Little/Chipping Green but also a health and safety issue as the path adjacent to our driveway is a busy thoroughfare for Pirton Village residents to Bury End and Toot Hill.
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10294
Received: 25/08/2022
Respondent: Mr Patrick England
See Attached
See Attached
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10295
Received: 13/09/2022
Respondent: North Hertfordshire District Council
See Attached
See Attached
Comment
Pirton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
Representation ID: 10300
Received: 06/09/2022
Respondent: Hertfordshire County Council
See Attached
See Attached