The inspector considered that even at close quarters the material presented the appearance of traditional timber weatherboarding. He remarked that the statutory test stemming from section 72(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires an assessment of the effect of a proposal on the character or appearance of a conservation area based principally on visual appraisal.
In his view, this differs from the test applicable to listed buildings, which rests in part on preserving the integrity of the structure and fabric of the listed building and is thus concerned with the authenticity of materials. Applying the conservation area test to the development, he concluded that the weatherboarding preserved the character of the area in question.
DCS Number 100-051-141
Inspector Tony Bingham; Written representations.
