The extent to which changes outside the nominated Site
can adversely affect its outstanding universal value has been
thoroughly considered. The setting of the nominated Site includes the
physical monuments and landscape components which provide additional
historical context, and a physical space in which events could affect
the visual appreciation of these elements.
The nominated Site comprises ten discrete, but in the
main inter-visible, landscapes all of which encompass significant
components. This is an evolving cultural landscape, with the process
of change driven by mining technology and economy from 1700 and
continuing to the present day and into the future, following a period
of decline and now regeneration, with new sympathetic additions and
changes to the landscape having a place.
The setting of the nominated Site is extensive. The
objective is the protection of the setting of the nominated Site and
we have examined whether a formal buffer zone will help provide this
protection. Mapping a buffer zone would rely on foresight to predict
an area where the visual setting could be a material consideration,
thus also identifying an area beyond which the visual setting will not
be a material consideration in the view of the planning system. It is
not feasible to draw a robust single large buffer zone around the ten
discrete areas and there are no obvious natural or administrative
boundaries to use. Neither is it consistent or feasible to draw a
multitude of small buffer zones around some of the ten discrete areas,
as this introduces the risk of limited foresight and the implication
that areas without buffer zones do not have a setting.
A formal buffer zone does not bring any statutory
protection in the United Kingdom. A buffer zone would only serve to
trigger policies in strategic planning documents (including
Development Plans) for the protection of the setting of the nominated
Site. Provided that there are appropriate policies in Development
Plans, these do not need a defined formal buffer zone to be triggered.
Instead it relies on the local planning authority and other agencies
to decide the setting issue, on a case by case basis, taking into
account wider considerations, any possible detrimental effects and
applying judgement.
The setting of all the principal forms of statutory
designation used to protect, conserve and enhance the nominated Site
(Conservation Areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Scheduled
Monuments and Listed Buildings) is a material consideration in the
United Kingdom planning system and appropriate action is decided case
by case without formal buffer zones.
A formal buffer zone is not necessary to protect the
setting of this nominated Site. For this reason a formal buffer zone
is not proposed. The protection of the setting of the nominated Site
will be achieved through policies in strategic planning documents, a
suite of existing strategic documents for landscape conservation, and
the measures contained in statutory designations. The Management Plan
includes policy and action to follow through this approach.
