5.3 Roads in historic Areas (E3/E4)

5.3. Roads in Historic Areas (E3/E4)

5.3.1. For the purposes of this policy Historic Areas are defined as:

· Statutory Conservation Areas, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Historic Parks and Gardens, Listed Buildings and their settings.

· Non-statutory historic or heritage areas and older urban regeneration areas, identified by the Local Planning Authority.

· There are other County Council sponsored initiatives, such as the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas and Hampshire Country Towns Initiative programmes, which will be the subject of special treatment and funding. These will generally operate within the categories described above but some will have their own requirements. Always provided that the assessed level of highway safety is achieved, the retention and enhancement of the architecture, historic or landscape character of the area will be taken into consideration when determining lighting requirements. All areas have a unique character and it is important that lighting arrangements are tailored accordingly, rather than being "standardised" towards the enhancement of the area in respect of any works carried out.

5.3.2. General Requirements

5.3.2.1. All proposals and improvements will be the subject of a lighting design brief and where these comply with the agreed brief, they will be adopted by the County Council as Highway Authority. Where the lighting design falls outside the design brief then the Local Lighting Authority must be prepared to accept ownership of the scheme once constructed.

5.3.2.2. Lighting improvements should form an integral part of all environmental enhancement schemes.

5.3.2.3. In order to identify opportunities and constraints specific to the site under consideration, a master plan or Design Brief shall be prepared by the Environment Department jointly in conjunction with the appropriate officers of the Local Planning Authority. This should comply with Quality Assurance Procedures and should also take into account the views of interested outside bodies (eg historic societies) to ensure that the appropriate environmental and lighting design solutions are achieved.

5.3.2.4. In view of the pressures upon financial resources, the costs of environmentally designed lighting schemes and future maintenance liabilities should be borne in mind.

5.3.2.5. The County Council will not rule out the adoption of lighting arrangements/schemes which represent an incremental step, or improvement towards the desired standard provided the full system is installed within two years of the first part of any scheme being commissioned. However, where the lighting provision is too far below the required level established in the Design Brief then the Local Lighting Authority shall accept the maintenance responsibilities. In this way, opportunities for modest improvements need not be missed and Local Lighting Authorities can be confident of maintenance support once the final part of the scheme has been completed.

5.3.3. Standards of Lighting

5.3.3.1. The overall lighting requirements for a specific area will be identified within the District Lighting Plan. This will then be expanded and refined to take account of an area's unique character and needs in terms of vehicular/pedestrian activity, location of local amenities, etc by the Design Brief. However, generally the requirements of the BSEN will be expected to be met.

5.3.3.2. As a general rule, new or replacement lamps shall be of the high pressure sodium type (SON), although consideration to alternative light sources (particularly for the purposes of floodlighting) will be given where required.

5.3.3.3. There may be situations in popular locations used heavily at night where tourist/visitor needs would suggest a higher level of illumination. These are expected to be relatively few in number and will require special consideration and consultation.

5.3.3.4. In all historic areas the Director of Environment shall consult with local Conservation Officers to ensure that historical styling and/or location of equipment is appropriate for the area in question. For particularly sensitive locations it may be advisable to arrange for trial installations to demonstrate the effectiveness of the lighting and its impact on surrounding areas.

5.3.3.5. In determining levels of illumination, lighting positions and styles, the Design Brief will consider pedestrian and vehicular uses/needs in relation to the following:

· Areas of activity - theatres, shops, school entrances, bus stops, libraries, highways, paths, etc and areas of conflict (junctions, etc).

· Listed buildings and historic qualities of the area.

· Building heights.

· Street features - crossing points, sitting areas, tree planting, pinchpoints, materials/colours, etc.

· Existing lighting - positions, styles, heights, lux levels, lighting type, lighting from shops, floodlights, etc. In assessing appropriate levels of illumination the existing and ambient lighting, eg from shops, floodlighting schemes, etc, may only be taken into account in special instances. The continued operation of ambient or privately owned lighting sources cannot be guaranteed for the life of the scheme.

· Ground form levels (important to people with disabilities), hazards, etc. Local knowledge, incidence of vandalism, accident black spots, etc.

5.3.3.6. The floodlighting of landmarks and historic buildings shall be in accordance with the relevant sections of the current BSEN Standard but should seek to minimise pollution of the night sky.

5.3.3.7. The design and installation of special or temporary lighting shall comply with the relevant sections of the current national design standard.

5.3.4. Lighting Equipment

5.3.4.1. All lighting equipment shall complement and enhance the appearance of the area.

5.3.4.2. Conservation Area status does not establish a pre-requisite for period style lighting - good functional modern designs may be suitable. However, the particular character of an historic area may demand a non-standard approach or a blend of various lighting sources.

5.3.4.3. Every opportunity should be taken to extend the range of acceptable equipment available through discussions with suppliers.

5.3.4.4. The restoration of existing cast iron and ornamental columns or lanterns, which are of architectural merit, will be encouraged but the electrical safety requirements must be considered paramount when deciding whether to reuse units. The retention of existing columns/lanterns, where these are of local historical importance, is desirable particularly where they form a feature of the locality. The County Council will retain and store salvageable materials for future use when they are unable to reuse such antiques at the time of removal.

5.3.5. Design of Lanterns

5.3.5.1. If "period style" lanterns are used, care should be taken to match historical periods, for which consultation with the Local Planning Authority is essential. However, it is also necessary to maintain a harmony of style, as far as possible, as different lantern types may produce a cluttered and unplanned effect.

5.3.5.2. Where a modern style of fitting is proposed this, together with its control gear, must be recessive in design and colour and be sited so as to be "invisible" as far as possible during the daytime. This is of particular importance in areas where buildings are of diverse historical and architectural character. Such fittings should be simple and of appropriate shape, colour and scale to the architectural setting.

5.3.5.3. There is a general presumption towards using, as far as possible, lanterns that minimise light pollution of the night sky.

5.3.6. Wall Mounted Lanterns

5.3.6.1. Wherever possible/appropriate lanterns should be affixed to buildings, particularly where footways are narrow and subject to very considerable pedestrian traffic. The associated work in achieving Wayleave Agreements and Listed Building Consents for such fittings must be taken into account, when programming schemes which include lighting improvements. Such work may require periods in excess of 12 months to achieve completion. The siting of fixings and all attendant equipment on buildings should be taken into account, as should the quality and elevation features of the individual buildings on which they are to be affixed.

5.3.7. Wall Brackets

5.3.7.1. Brackets can be of architectural interest in their own right. Restoration of such features is encouraged, where possible, in order to retain the individuality of the place. Where new fittings require brackets, then fixings must take into account the nature and stability of the building; more than two fixing points should be provided, especially for buildings with timber frame, lime mortar or soft brick construction.

5.3.7.2. Modern interpretations of historic brackets may be appropriate in order to satisfy the need for cable ducting and load bearing requirements. The colour, weight and proportion of the bracket must be complementary to the lantern. Galvanised steel, primed and painted, should be used for new brackets, or other approved materials used, eg cast iron.

5.3.8. Lighting Columns

5.3.8.1. Ornamental columns should be constructed from a single material but, where this is not possible, then the respective metals must be protected from each other to reduce cathodic action taking place.

5.3.8.2. The restoration of existing cast iron and ornamental columns which are of architectural merit is encouraged. Where modern equipment cannot be accommodated within such columns, then measures to supply a carefully sited, separate free-standing unit may be an acceptable alternative to the loss of such features, always provided that electrical isolation can be achieved. New lanterns for such existing columns must be appropriate to the period of the column. Decorative fittings which cannot be integrated into the primary lighting system may be retained by agreement with the Local Lighting Authority.

5.3.8.3. Ornamental columns must be constructed from compatible metals

5.3.8.4. The mounting height must be appropriate to the scale of the setting in the street scene. As a general rule, fittings should be mounted so as to be seen in silhouette against the sky in urban locations. Heights may need to vary to blend in with the scale of the surrounding area. In urban areas, a 4metre (13 foot) minimum height clearance over footways is normally required for the Highway Authority to adopt.

5.3.8.5. Where lighting columns have to be used they should be sited to avoid obstruction to the footway (particularly for people with disabilities). However, where this means that columns would be provided at the back of footways adjacent to buildings, every effort must be made to install wall mounted fittings in lieu of columns.

Highway Maintenance