Particular attention will be given to protection of moorland, wetland and ancient semi-woodland habitats, and to avoiding adverse effects on wildlife species which are protected by law.

This will be achieved with the assistance of a survey of habitats and a nature conservation strategy. Schemes and management practices which help to retain and enhance natural history interests and to provide further opportunities for wildlife in urban as well as rural areas will be encouraged and supported.

This general policy reflects such concerns and the more specific policies which follow indicate how nature conservation factors will be addressed in the planning process. Information on wildlife habitats in Tameside has been assisted by a Phase 1 Habitats Survey for the whole of the Borough, which was completed in May 1993. This identifies all important natural history resources and provides an objective basis for analysing the current position, monitoring future change, assessing the effect of other proposals, and selecting further sites for protection.

On the basis of the survey a nature conservation strategy will be drawn up by the Council, in order to guide management practices and protective action on existing wildlife habitats and to identify opportunities for creation of new habitats and enhancement of existing ones. The strategy may draw attention to harmful activities, for example discouraging adverse agricultural or maintenance practices, and may identify further areas for special treatment, including local nature reserves of which there are none at present.

Local authorities are empowered under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to establish Local Nature Reserves (L.N.R.'s) by the acquisition and management of land for certain stated purposes. These are (in short) the provision of opportunities for study and research into, or for preservation of, flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features of special interest in the area. English Nature now also attaches great importance to their use for the quiet enjoyment and appreciation of nature by the public, and is encouraging local authorities to designate more L.N.R.'s as a way of promoting nature conservation within their areas. Besides this, there are other advantages to designation, including bye-law powers and a stronger basis for planning protection.

Public access may be promoted where feasible and education and involvement stimulated. The valuable work already done by voluntary interests may be assisted and co-ordinated, as could the provision of advice. However, the ability of the Council to take practical action or to financially support others will be dependent on the severely limited resources likely to be available in the immediate future.

Natureconservation will be regarded as a primary land use in these cases, whilst not ruling out the opportunity inappropriate circumstances to incorporate protected sites within a larger development.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I.'s) are of the greatest importance to nature conservation, being a national designation with statutory safeguards. As at May 1995, there were three S.S.S.I.'s in Tameside, including a recent notification by English Nature of the designation of a large area mostly in High Peak, Derbyshire but extending into Tameside at Boar Flat. This area, on the eastern moorland fringe of the Borough, has also been identified by English Nature as a potential Special Protection Area. Sites of Biological Importance are a designation introduced by the former Greater Manchester Council based on a detailed survey of the county carried out between 1980 and 1983 in conjunction with key naturalist groups. The original listings have been regularly reviewed since then by the Greater Manchester Countryside Unit acting on behalf of the authorities in the county area, and may be amended or added to on further occasions during the life of this Plan. At May 1995, there were a total of 53 S.B.I.'s in Tameside (including the two earlier S.S.S.I.'s), 19 classified as Grade A (county or regional value).

There are at least four sites in Tameside regarded as nature reserves, although these are not officially designated Local Nature Reserves under the provisions of the 1949 Act. The Borough also contains two geological sites which have been recognised by the Greater Manchester authorities as having county or greater significance and which merit protection comparable to Grade A S.B.I.'s. The general location of all the Sites of Biological Importance is shown by a symbol on the Proposals Map and they are also listed in Appendix 5.

In cases where development proposals would damage a site of this nature, the application will be considered in the light of both the potential benefits of the development and the loss to nature conservation.

Where on balance it is accepted that some loss or damage will occur to the nature conservation value of the site, this should be kept to a minimum and, wherever practical, should be compensated for by habitat re-creation or enhancement of an equivalent or greater area elsewhere within the site or the surrounding area.

The potential benefits to wildlife will be assessed in the design and management of new areas of tree and shrub planting and in schemes for environmental improvement and reclamation of derelict land, particularly in areas which are deficient in wildlife habitats.

This positive approach, rather than regarding nature conservation as a constraint, should have long term benefits for the local environment especially in parts of the Borough which see relatively little wildlife at the present time. The results of the stage 1 habitats survey and the subsequent nature conservation strategy, both referred to under Policy C1, should be of assistance to such an approach. The policy takes account of advice from English Nature and Department of Environment's Circular 27/87 which states that local authorities are expected to have regard to considerations of nature conservation as necessary in determining individual planning applications.

Tameside's built up area is broken by a number of open spaces which extend for some distance in from the countryside. These, and certain much narrower routes such as along railways, rivers and canals, have been identified by the Greater Manchester Countryside Unit as wildlife corridors, in an exercise covering the whole of the county. Except for the very narrow sections the wildlife corridors coincide with the green wedges highlighted in Policy OL21 and are shown jointly on the Proposals Map. (Continued on next page)

Wildlife corridors can be damaged or rendered unviable by reduction in their width or complete severance. However, a blanket ban on all developments may not be needed and indeed, development with appropriate landscaping and management might in certain circumstances even enhance conditions for wildlife. The effect of development on the role as a green wedge must also be considered however.

The Council will ensure that new development which is acceptable within or adjacent to identified wildlife corridors contributes to their operation through appropriate design, siting and landscaping.

This policy is the starting point for a series of more specific policies in Parts 1 and 2 which expand the general approach into the issues of urban form, Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings.

This should be achieved through sensitive and appropriate use of size, scale, elevational treatment and materials. Attention will be given to the quality of design and landscaping in all areas.

Therefore, although some of the traditional character has been diluted by the more recent influx of non local materials and styles, the Borough still possesses a diversity of townscape which reflects its historical pattern of development. The characteristic urban form and townscape merit respect and enhancement in many parts of the Borough, not just those designated as Conservation Areas.

This policy, along with several others, is intended to ensure that adequate emphasis is placed on these environmental considerations in the preparation of Council proposals and the application of development control procedures. Needless damage to the character and appearance of the area can be caused by careless or unsympathetic design. High standards are important even where there is no compelling need to respect established patterns of development, if the quality of the built environment as a whole is to be upgraded. English Heritage has drawn attention to the need to safeguard important views and skylines and also welcomes the exploration of traffic proposals which minimise damage to the urban fabric.

Where distinctive mills become redundant a flexible approach to re-use will be adopted, subject to other relevant policies, to increase the opportunities for successful conversion rather than demolition.

However, the survival of mill buildings is threatened by economic change, modern industrial requirements and pressure for re-development, and many are in a poor state of repair. Once demolished it is most unlikely that replacement buildings on the site could have the same dramatic impact on the appearance of the area. This policy is intended to stem the loss of further important mill buildings by encouraging a flexible range of alternative uses and by confirming that they are recognised by the Council for their historic, social and architectural significance to the area.

Designation of Conservation Areas brings with it various additional planning powers, including control of demolition, protection for trees, extra publicity for conflicting developments and reduced permitted development rights for minor works. Authorities are required from time to time to review whether any further parts of their area should be so designated. Department of Environment Circular 8/87 stresses the need for local authorities to undertake a comprehensive review of Conservation Areas, drawing particular attention to certain types of areas, and English Heritage, the principal governmental agency in the field of building conservation, endorses these views.

Nine Conservation Areas have been declared up to now in Tameside and these are shown by a symbol on the Proposals Map and also listed in Appendix 6. However, the urban form contains a wide variety of architectural and historic features which are part of the local heritage and worthy of retention, and the number of existing Conservation Areas is small for the size of the Borough. The Council is therefore actively looking at other possible areas. It will continue to survey and evaluate the Borough and may designate further Conservation Areas in those parts considered to merit special protection  Conservation Areas are the principle tool for protecting townscape and being a local authority initiative, their designation or amendment has the advantage of speed and simplicity.

As well as controlling development which may be proposed, the Council recognises the positive role that can be played by the implementation of schemes to enhance the appearance of Conservation Areas. The views of the local community are extremely important in this process, as are the expectations of property owners and developers, according to the nature of the area. In larger Conservation Areas in town centres, it may be more appropriate to link enhancement schemes with other public and private investment proposals.

There is a duty on local authorities to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of their Conservation Areas, and a requirement to consider views expressed at a public meeting in the area concerned. The practical ability to undertake such schemes will, however, be dependent upon the availability of sufficient resources, including finance which is likely to be severely restricted for the immediate future.

In recognition of this, Conservation Area enhancement schemes may be designated and implemented, as resources permit and in conjunction with local communities. In any event, the Council will be ready to provided advice on the most suitable manner in which to care for and enhance historic buildings and other features. In order to achieve the greatest effect, normal development control powers in Conservation Areas may, in certain circumstances, need to be supplemented by additional measures. These could include

(a) Seeking additional planning powers to control certain classes of permitted development through Directions under Article 4 of the General Development Order.

(b) Using planning powers to resolve environmental problems associated with unkempt land and buildings, including where necessary urging the Secretary of State to use his powers with respect to buildings in a very poor condition.

(a) The building is so dilapidated or structurally unsound as to be incapable of repair or refurbishment at reasonable expense, or

(b) The removal of the building would not damage the character or appearance of the Conservation Area, or

(c) The demolition would be followed, as soon as reasonably practical, by a development scheme which would make an equivalent or greater contribution to the character and appearance of the area as the original building.

The four policies outline criteria which will be employed to help the Council determine planning applications within and around existing and subsequently designated Conservation Areas. In some cases other kinds of land use issues could also be involved of course and the effect of these would be cumulative.

Policy C13 indicates the limited circumstances in which demolition proposals would normally be allowed, C14 refers to general requirements on new development, whilst C15 covers more detailed aspects of various changes to existing buildings. It is equally important to ensure that Conservation Areas or their setting are not adversely affected by discordant development nearby, and this is the subject of Policy C16. It should be appreciated that new development and alterations to existing buildings can sometimes be used as an opportunity to significantly improve the overall quality of a Conservation Area, such as by replacing unattractive existing elements.

(a) Conservation of the essential architectural and physical elements which combine to given the Area its special character, and

(b) Protection and enhancement of views in and out of the Area, vistas within the Area and the general character and appearance of the street, and

(c) The relationships with surrounding open areas, including the design and layout of ground level areas in and around the proposed development, and

(d) Siting, alignment, scale and design appropriate to the Area in which the development is set, and

(e) The use of materials appropriate to their setting and context and which protect and enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

(f) The need to avoid loss of trees which contribute to the character and appearance of the Area.

(a) The retention, replacement and restoration of historic features and details of buildings, including garden or forecourt features, boundary walls, pavings etc., and

(b) The detail design of proposed extensions or conversions in relation to the original building, with respect to proportion and materials, construction details and their effects on the setting of the building and its surroundings, and

(c) The effect of introducing new uses into a Conservation Area in terms of parking and servicing arrangements and the detailed design of such arrangements, and

(d) Where appropriate, the effect of conversions, extensions or alterations on the exterior of existing buildings where significant architectural or historic features may be lost through development.

(a) Genuine Victorian, Edwardian or other historic shop fronts should wherever possible be repaired or restored rather than removed or replaced.

(b) New shop fronts located in old buildings should contain or refer to the design elements and materials of shop fronts of that period.

(c) All shop fronts should relate to the architectural elements of the building and be in keeping with the street scene.

(d) Security roller shutters should be of the pierced type with roller box located internally behind the shop front.

There were 304 listed "schedules" in Tameside as at May 1995, including houses, churches, mills, farms, barns, viaducts, aqueducts, shops, civic buildings and many other types. Some of the schedules contain more than one building, such as a row of cottages. Of the 304 schedules, one is classified Grade 1 (of exceptional interest), 15 are Grade 2* (of special interest but particularly important) and the remaining 288 are Grade 2 (of special interest).

There are also many other buildings in the Borough which have great interest in the local context but which remain unlisted. For example, when Tameside was last surveyed in 1986 there was a great reluctance on the part of the Department of the Environment to list Victorian and Edwardian buildings. "Spot" listing of a small number of further buildings by the Department of National Heritage has taken place since then and may continue from time to time.

However, in order to provide a measure of recognition to many unlisted buildings of interest, a list of buildings of local importance may be produced and published by the Council. This would have no statutory effect but should help to ensure that owners, developers and other interested bodies are aware of the merits of individual buildings and the desirability of sensitive treatment in the event of development. A local list may also be valuable as part of an early warning system, in which a building under threat could be more quickly considered for statutory protection.

If they are to continue to be of the greatest benefit to the local environment, listed buildings and buildings of local importance need to be maintained in good condition, whilst repairs should be undertaken sympathetically using materials appropriate to the character of the building. Additional expense and special attention to detail may often be involved, and therefore grants and technical advice from the Council or other sources can be of valuable assistance. Whilst a limited amount of grant aid for such work has been provided in most recent years, prioritising of grant applications is usually necessary and availability of funds cannot be guaranteed in times of great financial restriction.

The basic responsibility for upkeep of listed buildings remains with the owner, as with any other building, and in the same way lack of attention can lead to more serious problems in due course. Circumstances may sometimes arise however, when the Council has little alternative but to resort to a range of statutory powers to prevent further damage or neglect. Planning legislation provides for the use of Building Repairs Notices in such cases, which can lead to compulsory purchase, and urgent repairs can be carried out to unoccupied listed buildings and recharged to the owner.

Whilst other policies in the Plan will clearly have to be taken into account, it will in general be better for the survival of the listed building if a flexible approach can enable a new use to take over. It is important however that the new use does not damage the qualities of the building which make it special. Residential conversions of farm buildings are therefore likely to be considered very rigorously, although there will not be a general presumption against them as recommended by English Heritage.

New external, and where appropriate internal, features should harmonise with their surroundings.

In such circumstances the Council will also need to be satisfied that an acceptable alternative form of development can go ahead on the site immediately following demolition. It will also be the intention of the Council to ensure that provision can be made to record the detail of the building prior to demolition.

Listed buildings are a fundamental part of the Borough's heritage and once destroyed can never be replaced. The Council will therefore not support demolition unless a compelling case can be made.  Consent for demolition cannot in any event be given by the Council without the Secretary of State first being given the opportunity to call in the application and hold a public inquiry. It is possible that the Council may consider partial demolition followed by subsequent rebuilding to protect the future of  the building but such a course would require careful scrutiny. The Council intends also to utilise the power of  Section 17 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to delay the demolition of a listed building until such time as re-building contracts are let, to ensure that empty gaps do not occur whilst re-development is awaited.

This will be carried out in accordance with agreed woodland and landscape strategies, and may include the establishment of community woodlands.

In Tameside, there is a relative shortage of trees and woodland. There is a lack of variety and much woodland is of poor quality and in need of management. Development pressures have led to losses on a limited scale but overall there is a picture of modest improvement, with particular achievements in the river valleys. There is still need for major planting and replanting, particularly of native woodland species, to an agreed strategy. The policy recognises the need for a more pro-active and co-ordinated approach to woodland management that will achieve benefits in both public and private sectors.

In 1992 the Council adopted a Trees and Woodlands Strategy, a non statutory document but one of several to be prepared under the overall umbrella of a countryside strategy, as recommended by the Countryside Commission. It is important to emphasise the essential role of other interested parties, particularly major landowners in the Borough, in implementing the Trees and Woodland Strategy in co-operation with the Council.

As part of this policy, Tree Preservation Orders may continue to be made by the Council where necessary to safeguard further important trees which contribute to the quality of the built environment and the rural landscape. They may be required, for instance, as woodland matures, as further survey work and evaluation is completed, or in response to new pressures for development. The condition and surroundings of trees can change over time of course and existing Orders may also need to be progressively reviewed. 

Proper woodland management necessarily involves the logging and felling of trees at certain stages, and the close proximity of trees to buildings or other infrastructure can sometimes produce problems. T.P.O. designation does not preclude necessary or appropriate works to trees but should help to avoid needless damage and ensure work is carried out in a suitable manner.

(a) Result in unnecessary loss of, or damage to, such existing trees, or

(b) Not allow for successful retention of such existing trees, or

(c) Not make adequate provision for replacement planting, either within the site or in a suitable location nearby, to compensate for unavoidable loss of existing trees.

Where a proposal affects a site containing existing trees or woodlands, the Council will normally require a suitable survey to be undertaken and submitted with the planning application, to enable the value of the trees and the effect of the proposal on the trees to be properly assessed, and proposals made for the best of the trees to be accommodated within the scheme

Measures necessary for their investigation, conservation and interpretation will be encouraged and supported, in the light of the educational, recreational and tourism potential which they may have.

P.P.G.16 advises that preservation in-situ of important archaeological remains is nearly always to be preferred to the option of preservation by record. This should ensure that the remains will still be available for examination in the future, when techniques may enable more information to be extracted from them against a suitable research background.

Information on the physical evidence of the Borough's history has been greatly improved by the compilation of the Sites and Monuments Record (S.M.R.) for each District, by the Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit. This provides information about where archaeological remains are known, or thought likely to exist. These records of historical sites and monuments will continue to be maintained, extended and updated, so that a full consideration of archaeological factors can be made in the assessment of planning applications. Early contact with the Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit may often be of assistance to developers.

The Proposals Map indicates, by a symbol, the approximate location of Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Tameside, and these are also listed in Appendix 6.

(a) Sufficient time is allowed for the prior investigation and evaluation of the site, and

(b) Facilities are made available for suitable inspection during site preparation work, and

(c) Sites and monuments are not needlessly damaged or destroyed.

The Council may require developers to make provision for such investigation or inspection and for the preservation of the archaeological evidence in situ, if appropriate and practical, or by record.

These steps are required to ensure that before development proposals are finalised adequate information is available for the planning authority to determine whether archaeological evidence should be preserved in situ or recorded prior to development. It may be possible then to amend certain aspects of the design in order to avoid disturbing the remains, or to seal them for the future. However, if in the particular circumstances it is determined that development can proceed which will destroy the remains, the Council will need to be satisfied that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory arrangements for their excavation and recording and for the publication of the results. 

This policy aims to ensure that, wherever possible, potential conflicts are resolved and agreements with developers concluded before planning permission is granted. This need not always delay the granting of planning permission and it may be possible to cover certain aspects through imposing planning conditions. The important first step where archaeological sites are thought to be involved should be early consultation between developers and the Council. The Sites and Monuments Record for Tameside, which identifies all areas known or suspected as being of archaeological importance at the present time, can be consulted at the Council's Offices. This policy is supported by PPG16.

(a) Allow for the retention or creation of a "green" corridor following the watercourse, or in certain circumstances for suitable hard landscaping, and

(b) Include improvements where appropriate to existing waterside features, and

(c) Enable the waterside environment to be enhanced generally, and

(d) Do not involve watercourses being culverted except for access or other special circumstances.

The purpose of this policy is therefore to create a more attractive waterside environment within these and other areas, and one which will be more conducive to wildlife and recreation, taking advantage of opportunities which may arise through redevelopment or other proposals affecting adjacent sites. The policy confirms the need, in particular, for the protection and extension of green corridors along watercourses and continues the theme of the policies first established in the approved river valley plans. It will also build on voluntary initiatives established as part of the Mersey Basin Campaign. Watercourses should be regarded as a potential environmental asset rather than as a constraint or liability.

Percent for Art is a concept which the Arts Council has recently urged all local authorities to adopt. Under such a scheme, a percentage (say 1%) of construction costs of a development would be put aside to improve the aesthetic qualities of a project. An additional stimulus to regeneration would thereby be created, with the expectation that good design and distinctive works of art and craft can restore a sense of place and local identity to public buildings, business developments, streets and parks. Whilst voluntary to the developer, Percent for Art is something which the Council would like to encourage and which could be a matter for negotiation and agreement.