Stourport-on-Severn No.2 Conservation Area

Stourport-on-Severn Conservation Area No. 2 is 6.6 hectares in extent and comprises buildings, streets, a length of canal and associated environments, that date primarily from the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and form the central part of the historic core of the Town. The Area continues from the south-west end of the Gilgal and covers the central part of the Town. The buildings in the Area are primarily in the Georgian style, which forms a visually powerful expression that reflects the timing of the Town’s foundations and early growth.

The Conservation Area is situated over a expanse of land that has a very gradual, even but shallow rise from south to north. The highest point of this expanse is approximately 12 metres above the bank level of the River Severn; some 500 metres to the south west. A limb of the Area extends outwards from the northern east end along Mitton Street, and this limb falls away evenly but sharply by some 6 metres as far as the road junction with Severn Road.

The predominant land uses within the Area are as follows:

A) Retail and commercial uses, located mainly along High Street, York Street, New Street, Lickhill Road and Lombard Street; and collectively occupying the entire Area to the west of the canal cut. It is not known whether these premises were originally constructed specifically for retail and commercial use, dwellings, or mixed use (dwellings above shops). However, it is most probable the properties in New Street (particularly the western end) were primarily dwellings; whilst the properties in Lombard Street (western side) were small dwellings or “courts”; and

B) Pockets of long-established residential use occur in Lion Hill (east side), Mitton Street and off Parkes Passage (where there is also two churches). Recent residential use has been added to the Area by way of a redevelopment of the former canal-side loading quay, known as Parkes Quay and conversion of other canal-side buildings in the vicinity.

The Area contains twenty-five Statutory List Entries which relate to approximately forty statutorily listed buildings; together with several other buildings and structures of interest, primarily dating from the late eighteenth to early twentieth century. Some of the latter have been subject to unsympathetic alterations (such as replacement of windows) but none are beyond restoration, which should be considered in preference to redevelopment. Generally, every effort should be made to retain built fabric in the Area dating from the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in particular. Particularly special features in the Area include the following: