Comments sought on Park Conservation Area review
Released: 5 January 2008
Wolverhampton residents are being invited to share their thoughts on one of the most interesting and varied conservation areas in the city as part of a major review of places of special historic and architectural interest.
Views are being sought on an appraisal of the Park Conservation Area which is the sixth to be looked at under Wolverhampton City Council’s five year review of all 30 in the city.
The review is taking place because some of the designations in the city were made more than 30 years ago; a fresh look at the areas is now required to update information on them and check, for example, whether any boundaries need to be altered. In doing so the review aims to help secure the long term preservation and enhancement of the conservation areas.
The Park conservation area was one of the first to be designated in Wolverhampton in 1975 and includes the city’s premier park, West Park, which was first opened to the public in 1881. Quickly after the opening the surrounding area became one of the smartest places to live. New roads were laid out and many of the city’s finest late Victorian houses were built including the outstanding group of three storey villas in Park Dale.
The appraisal recommends that some modern tower blocks off Upper Vauxhall are taken out of the conservation area boundary and suggests that a number of properties and architectural features are added to the Local List.
An Edward VII letter box, West Park Church, the former Drill Hall in Park Road East and houses in Park Dale are among those proposed for inclusion the list of buildings and sites which aims to help protect them for future generations.
A six week consultation period on the appraisal began yesterday, Monday February 4, and members of the public are invited to make their own suggestions about the conservation area.
The appraisal and management proposals for the area will be available for public consultation until March 14.
After this the council will consider any comments received and make any changes to the document which may arise from the consultation before the appraisal is formally approved.
Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise said: “The people of Wolverhampton can be justly proud of their heritage, and the city council has been very active in ensuring that historic buildings and open spaces are protected as conservation areas.
“The review gives local people an opportunity to tell us what they think about the areas we have designated so far.
“Once approved the Park Conservation Area Appraisal will provide a useful guide for residents, property owners, developers and planners to ensure that the character and appearance of the area can be preserved and enhanced for future generations.”
A copy of the appraisal can be seen on the council’s website at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/conservationareas and copies can be viewed at:
- Central Library
- Visitor Information Centre,
- Civic Centre
- West Park Tea Room
- Whitmore Reans Branch Library.
Summaries of the appraisal can also be picked up at these venues and a short questionnaire has been produced.
Five conservation areas in the city already have approved appraisals - Wolverhampton City Centre, Union Mill, Chapel Ash, Penn Fields and Tettenhall Wood.
For more information contact Sue Whitehouse on 01902 555617 or email conservation@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Issued by the press office.