Stourport-on-Severn No.1 Conservation Area

Stourport-on-Severn No.1 Conservation Area is 16.9 hectares in extent and comprises a group of canal basins, and associated environments and buildings that date primarily from the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and which together form the southern part of the historic core of the Town.

The Area contains forty-two Statutory List Entries which relate to approximately seventy five statutorily listed buildings and structures (excluding the numerous listed structures relating to the basins); together with several other buildings and structures of interest, primarily dating from the late eighteenth to early twentieth centuries.

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 are as follows:

• Bridge over the River Severn and its arched causeway.
• Buildings in Bridge Street, Raven Street and Lichfield Street.
• Buildings and structures which were properties of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company, including the Canal basins, locks, foot bridges, railings and walls; the Tontine and former stabling at the southern end of Mart Lane; the Canal Maintenance building and attached cottage to north west of the Tontine; terraces of houses in Mart Lane.
• Basin retaining and enclosing walls, terrace revetments and riverside quays, in red sandstone and brick.
• Clock Warehouse.
• Inscribed culvert markings on the Tontine.
• Nos. 19, 20 & 21, & York House, York Street.
• Red brick walls laid in Flemish bond and poly-chrome brickwork in Cheapside.
• Sets of railings.
• Canal-side crane and former warehouse (now a chandlers) in Mart Lane.
• Narrowly enclosed, twisting footpath leading from Severn Side to Severn Road/Cheapside and the Angel Public House, and its entrance from Severn Side.
• Narrow road leading from Cheapside to the river, including a retaining wall in blue brick and some original brick paving.
• Former vinegar works (Cheapside).

The area covers a part of town that was established and developed as a result of the construction of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, and is the only town in England to hold this distinction. This part of the town thus has immense historic value and because of the relationship between town and canal, the character of the Conservation Area is of particularly high importance.

The layout and construction of the town during the Georgian period has stamped an unmistakable character and appearance on the urban fabric, which provides a clear lead for the design and layout of further development.