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Stourport Conservation Area No. 1 Appraisal and Management Recommendations

Appendices

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Contact Information

Helen Ensor IHBC (Director) E: helen.ensor@insall-architects.co.uk

Robert Ayton IHBC MRTPI (Senior Historic Buildings Advisor) E: robert.ayton@insall-architects.co.uk

Oxford Office

www.insall-architects.co.uk

Image plates referenced in the text can be view by downloading the full character appraisal, images will be available on the page soon.

 

Appendix I: Gazetteer of Buildings in the Conservation Area

Character Area 1: The Riverside

This area encompasses the lower level of the canal basins, along the riverside. It is however quite varied. The characters of the west, central and eastern parts are quite different.

Key features (from west to east) include:

  1. The green public open space, including childrens’ play areas, west of the bridge
  2. The bridge
  3. The Engine Basin (east side of the bridge)
  4. The former engine pump house
  5. Engine Lane on the north side of the basins
  6. The fairground
  7. The lower basins and their locks and the surrounding green public open space

Stourport Bridge and the area around it

The bridge is a Grade II listed building and a key feature of the riverside. It includes a causeway at the north and south ends. The existing bridge dates from 1870, and is the third on the site, but parts of earlier structures remain. The list description states that the main arch is cast-iron, flanked by stone faced brick arches and a causeway of 25 brick arches to north, six to south. The lower section of causeway on NE side is late C18 brick, with stone springers to the arches.

The northern part of the causeway has 20th century brick parapet walls, with bands of contrasting bricks and subdivide into recessed panels, with a dentil course at the top of each panel. This is based on the 19th century parapet in the northwest corner. The walls have curved coping stone on the west side and asymmetrically chamfered stones on the east side. There is a pavement on the west side only, with six more traditional lighting columns. There are no lights on the east side. The southern causeway is similar to the northern part, although it is much shorter. The bridge includes three traditional lighting columns on both sides.

On the west side of the bridge is a large area of open garden on the river bank which includes children’s play areas. From the open space there are clear views of the bridge and causeway. There are views through the causeway arches to the east side of the bridge and the Engine Basin which has a surface car park on between it and the east side of the causeway.

At the south end of the bridge on the east side are two 18th century buildings. The largest building faces the river, with a tall, pitched roof with gable ends. The facades have been rendered and painted white. There are four square widow openings and an entrance door on the north facade at ground floor level. At first floor level there are three square window openings. Most of the windows appear to be modern. There is a slightly lower extension on the east side, with a single window at ground floor level on the north facade. The smaller building is immediately east of the causeway. It has two double pitched roofs with their ridges parallel to the river. The facades have been rendered. 

The east side of the bridge and the lower basins

The stone-lined Engine Basin was built circa 1806 and is listed Grade II. As the list description states it was ‘built as part of Stourport's wharfage complex, and specifically, as an inlet for water pumped into the main basin system by means of a steam-engine’. It is stone-lined and surrounded by cast iron railings.

The engine house survives, albeit much altered. It is a three storey building with lower bays at the north and south ends. It features a shallow pitched roof, with its ridge running north-south. The facades have been rendered and the windows are 20th century. [Plate 1].

Engine Lane runs from Bridge Street east towards the Tontine Hotel, between the upper and lower basins. It is lined with historic brick walls, mainly on the north side. There are railings on the south side at the eastern end, before the bridge south of the western lock between the upper and lower basins.

The fairground lies to the east of the Engine Basin and is a complex and colourful amalgamation of various modern amusement rides, of various sizes and heights. It partially obscures views from the bridge of the original basin complex, although some landmark buildings are visible, such as the Tontine, the Canal Maintenance Buildings (originally the Iron Warehouse - 1771) and Lock Cottage, and the Clock Warehouse (now the Stourport Yacht Club House).

On the east side of the fairground are the lower basins and the dry dock, and the locks which connect them to the Severn and to the upper basins. These are all listed Grade II. They were built by the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company from 1766. To the west of the area is the New Lower Basin of 1776 and to the east the Old Lower Basin of 1771. The former is connected to the New Basin of 1782 by locks on the north side. The latter is connected to the River Severn by locks in the southeast corner and to the Upper Old Basin by locks on the north side. Graving docks also accessed from this basin. The dry dock, with its curved 20th century corrugated iron roof, is entered from the New Lower Basin, and the narrow boat locks of 1781 connect it with the River Severn.  

As the list description states, their original construction was stone and brick for basin and lock walls, timber lock gates, stone wharf walls. Much of this has now been repaired or renewed, though the battered stone walls of the lock entrances remain and the wharf walls survive largely intact. The eastern bridge survives substantially, though one parapet has been renewed. A small cast-iron bridge (early C20?) crosses the top of the narrow boat locks, and a brick bridge crosses at the bottom. The wharf walls are of coursed and squared sandstone and extend along the river between the two sets of locks, and eastward for some 100 metres, and are also probably late 18th century [Historic England listing].

This is an attractive, popular, green public space, with many mature trees of various types, including Willows by the river, and grassy areas. Footpaths run along the river bank, and along the north side of the lower basins, with a footpath running north-south between them, on the east side of the New Lower Basin. There are several balustrades, some of which are modern, and others possibly 19th century. There is a long pontoon on the river between the two riverside locks.

 

Character Area 2: The Upper Basins

This area includes the three large basins and the Georgian buildings around them. Key features include:

  1. The basins – Upper Old Basin (1771), the New Basin (1782) to the west and Lichfield Basin (1810) to the east
  2. The former Iron Warehouse – later offices and lock-keepers cottage (west of the Tontine Hotel) (1771)
  3. The Clock Warehouse (early 19th century)
  4. The Tontine Hotel (1772)
  5. The Joynson’s Warehouse on the west side of the north end of Mart Lane (early 19th century)
  6. The bridge over the canal at the east end of York Street

The basins and their buildings

The basins are all listed grade 2, except for the Lichfield Basin which is a modern recreation of the original. The original construction of the basins was of stone and brick for the basin and lock walls, with timber lock gates and stone wharf walls. Much of this has now been repaired or renewed, though the battered stone walls of the lock entrances remain and the wharf walls survive largely intact.

The canal enters the Upper Old Basin (built in 1771) through the York Street Lock and under the Mayfield Bridge on York Street, in the northeast corner. There is still a small dock inlet in the north section of the Upper Old Basin. A channel links this basin to the New Basin to the west, built in 1782. There is a lock linking the Upper Old Basin to the Old Lower Basin to the south, also of 1771. On the south side of the New Basin is a lock linking it to the New Lower Basin (1776). To the east is a channel crossed by the Mart Lane bridge (2006), linking the Upper Old Basin to the Lichfield Basin.

On the west side of the Upper Old Basin (east side of the New Basin ) is the Clock Warehouse built in the late 18th century or early 19th century. It is now the Stourport Yacht Club House and is listed Grade II. It was originally a grain and general merchandise warehouse, built for Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company. It is a two storey, ten bay structure and its facades are of painted brick, and it has a slate roof. There have been some alterations to the facades but original openings survive, though one doorway has apparently been inserted in a former window. There are cambered brick arches to the window openings at ground floor level. The first floor openings have timber lintels over. The windows appear to be modern.

The double pitched roof is surmounted by wood clock tower with leaded cupola, added by public subscription in 1812. Historic England state that the original iron clock faces have been replaced (in the 1990’s ?). The slate roof has gable ends. There is an external staircase at the southeast corner, leading up to the first floor. At the southwest corner is a later single storey building with a slate hipped roof.

On the south side of the Upper Old Basin, northwest of the Tontine Hotel, is the canal maintenance building, formerly the iron warehouse, and the adjoining lock-keepers cottage. These were built circa 1776 and extended southwards in the early 19th century. They are listed Grade II. It is possibly the oldest canal warehouse in the country.  

The facades are of painted brick, capped with brick dentil course, and they have Welsh slate roofs. The northwest corner is curved, and there are two large openings with semi-circular arches over, on the north side facing the basin. The windows here are modern. There is a single storey wing on the west side with rendered facades, and a modern door and window. It has a curved southern end.

The east side of the building has a truncated gable at the north end. The southeast corner comprises a two storey building with curved corner adjacent to the Tontine Hotel. It has a hipped roof and wide casement windows in the south facade. In the southwest corner is the two storey house which has a door on its west facade with a modern pediment over and four window openings on the south facade. These have modern casement windows. the roof is hipped.

To the southeast of the building, north of the Tontine Hotel, is a surface car park which used to be the site of the Shed Warehouse (built c1772).

In the northeast corner of the Upper Old Basin is a modern two storey brick building on the east side and a lower corrugated metal clad building on the west side, as well as a number of small sheds and containers. These are accessed from York Street just west of the bridge over the canal. There are areas of scrub vegetation on the south side of York Street, behind the brick wall. To the west of these buildings, between the Upper Old Basin and the New Basin is an area of used for surface car parking.

The Tontine Hotel

On the south side of the Upper Old Basin is the Tontine Hotel which is an important Grade II* listed building. Historic England summarise its importance as follows:

The Tontine Hotel was built in 1772 possibly to the designs of Thomas Dadford to provide lodgings and premises for the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company at their newly established depot at Stourbridge. Commercial buildings of pre 1840 date are uncommon: this is an exceptionally rare building, being a very early purpose built lodgings house with a strong canal connection. The special interest principally consists of its historical rarity; its association with the canal context; its architectural form; the survival of its original plan-form and interior fixtures. The infilled additions between the wings to the rear are not regarded as of special interest [Historic England The Tontine Hotel].

It is built of red brick with Welsh slate roofs on a three storey, E-shaped plan, with three wings to the rear.  The main facade faces the River Severn and comprises seven bays, with a central doorway under a gabled brick porch, which was added c.1870. The ground floor has Palladian windows with stuccoed heads, with channelled voussoirs and keystones. The outer bays have two paired doors and windows, which gave access to originally separate lodgings. The side elevations each contain two additional single bay units. The doorways have six-panelled timber doors, with fluted shafts and console brackets to the entablature. The windows throughout are three-light casements with stuccoed flat arched heads, with channelled voussoirs. [Plate 2].

The roof is shallow pitched with a stuccoed eaves band to the front facade and dentils on the side and rear facades. There are symmetrical axial chimney stacks, arranged two to left and right and one on each wing. There are later flat roofed infill extensions between the rear wings but Historic England state these are of no architectural significance.

In front of the Tontine Hotel is a private terrace which has 20th century railings around it. On the east side the two houses have gardens enclosed by modern railings on an older brick wall. There are car parking spaces on the road in front of the houses. The houses on the west side of the Tontine Hotel do not have gardens in front of them, only a grassed area which is publicly accessible. On the north side of the Tontine Hotel, south of the Upper Old Basin, is a surface car park, on the site of the former Shed Warehouse of 1772.

On the west side of Mart Lane at the north end is the former Joynson’s Warehouse, which dates from the early 19th century. This is a two storey brick faced (English bond) building with gables at the north and south ends. The facades have a brick dentil course at eaves level. There is a traditional timber shopfront on Mart Lane, with a single window opening under a timber lintel at first floor level. There is a painted sign below the eaves level on the east and north facades which reads ‘London and North West Railway. Shropshire Union Railway and Canal company’. The north wall has a wide window at first floor level under a segmental brick arch. At ground floor there is a wide opening which has been blocked up. The south facade has wide door openings at ground and first floor level.

The west facade facing the Upper Old Basin has three wide window openings at first floor level with three casements per window. There are two wide openings under a lintels in the centre and at the south end. At the north end is a wide window under a segmental brick arch and a small window under a semi-circular brick arch.

Just to the south of the warehouse is an historic hoist by the edge of the basin.

Character Area 3: Bridge Street, New Street and York Street

This area comprises the late 18th century terraced houses to the northwest of the basins. These have survived quite well on the west side of Bridge Street, in New Street and in part on the south side of York Street.

  1. The Bridge Inn public house (west side of Bridge Street)
  2. Bridge Street - The two Georgian terraces on the west side
  3. Bridge Street – east side
  4. Raven Street
  5. New Street – south side
  6. New Street – north side
  7. York Street – south side

Bridge Street     

  1. West side (South to North)

10 Bridge Street – Grade II

The Bridge Inn is a Grade II listed building, dating from circa 1790. It is a three bay three storey pub with painted brickwork facades. The front façade features two mid 19th century shopfront windows either side of a Georgian doorway with pediment and semi-circular fanlight. The first floor windows have flat arched stuccoed heads with channelled voussoirs and keystones. The second floor windows could be original. The others are later replacements, but in a Georgian style. It has a shallow pitched plain tiled hipped roof with brick modillion cornice at eaves level. The pub has a landmark quality, as it is the first building as one enters the town from the south across the bridge. 

Coopers Lane

This is a narrow road on the north side of the Bridge Inn. On the south side is the blank wall of the rear wing of the pub. There is a blank wall on the north side too, with a very large and ugly duct at the rear of no. 11 Bridge Street.

11-15 Bridge Street

A terrace of four Georgian houses, listed Grade II, from the late 18th century.

11 Bridge Street – Grade II

A three bay, two storey house, with a narrow fourth bay at the north end, which was probably an alleyway to the rear. Late 18th century. There is a fine Georgian doorcase, in the centre of the three bay element, with pediment, fluted shafts and panelled rebates and original fanlight. There windows are all timbers sashes under gauged brick arches. The roof is shallow pitched with a brick dentil course at eaves level. [Plate 3].

12 Bridge Street – Grade II

A single bay house, three storeys high. It has a modern shopfront and UPVC windows under gauged brick arches. There is a concrete tiled roof behind the front facade parapet.

13 Bridge Street – Grade II

A three bay three storey late 18th century house of some distinction. It has three pairs of (original ?) timbers sashes at first floor level and one at second floor level. The other two at second floor level are later casements. There is a sill band at first floor level. At ground floor there is a door at the south end leading to the passageway, a pedimented Doric portico with fluted shafts and panelled rebates, and a later (20th century ?) bow fronted shopfront. The roof is hidden behind a brick parapet (lead clad).

14 and 15 Bridge Street – Grade II

This appears to be a three bay three storey house, but is a pair of houses circa 1800, with two shop units at ground floor level. There are sash windows (later replacements) in the south and north bays, flush with the facade, but the middle windows are blind and recessed, but painted to look like sashes. The openings have shallow brick arches over at first floor level and flat arches at second floor level. There is a brick dentil course at eaves level. The shopfront at 14 has remnants of a 19th century fascia, with consoles at both ends. No. 15 has a 19th century shopfront, partly obscured by modern signs. Above the fascia the brick arches of the (original) shopfront openings can just be seen. Plain tiled roof.

The building has a three bay return frontage on the south side of Raven Street. There is a central entrance door to no.15 in the middle of the facade. The windows are blind, except for the second floor east and west windows.

16-29 Bridge Street

Also a predominantly late 18th century Georgian terrace but only no. 27 is a listed building.

16-17 Bridge Street

This is three storey three bay building. the middle window openings have been narrowed. The window openings have shallow brick arches over. The windows are UPVC windows. The roof is shallow pitched with a brick dentil course at eaves level. The two shopfronts are modern, but in a traditional style.

18 Bridge Street

A two storey, two bay house, with UPVC windows. the shopfront is modern but in a traditional style. The first floor window openings have stucco arches with key stones,. The roof is shallow pitched with a brick dentil course at eaves level.

19 Bridge Street

Another three storey three bay house, with a rendered facade, and decorative arches with key stones at first floor level. It has a shallow pitched roof. The first floor windows are timbers sashes. Two of the second floor windows are UPVC; the third to the north is a pair of timbers sashes. The shopfronts are modern. They northern shopfront is of traditional design. There is a modern awning over the shopfront.

21-22 Bridge Street

A modern two storey three bay brick building with a modern recessed shopfront. It makes a neutral contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

23-24 Bridge Street

A pair of three storey two bay houses. There are timbers sashes in all window openings. The first floor window openings have decorative stucco arches with keystones. The shopfront is modern and of no interest. The roof is shallow pitched with a brick dentil course at eaves level.

25 Bridge Street

A wide single bay house of three storeys. There are timbers sashes at both levels. The first floor window opening has a tall gauged brick arch over. The shopfront is modern and of no interest. It has a shallow pitched roof.

26 Bridge Street

A three bay three storey house with a rendered facade. There are two window openings at first floor and one central opening at second floor level. There are no windows in the openings, which are boarded over. The roof is shallow pitched with a brick dentil course at eaves level. The shopfront is modern and of no interest.

27 Bridge Street – Grade II

A three storey two bay house, circa 1800. It retains much of its original appearance. There is no shopfront at ground floor level and the window openings (enlarged by lowering the cills) and entrance have survived. The window openings have gauged brick arches and there are traditional timbers sashes. The entrance has a decorative Georgian framework, with decorative pilasters and a tall fanlight. The slate roof is shallow pitched but there is no brick dentil course at eaves level as seen on many of the other buildings.

29 Bridge Street

A modern brick building three storeys high and three bays wide on Bridge Street. It has a long facade to New Street, with projecting windows at first floor level. The shopfront on Bridge Street is modern and not of interest. Although loosely Georgian in style it is not a building of merit.

Raven Street - North side

At the west end is a surface car park.

8 Raven Street

A single bay house with its entrance in the garden on the west side, behind a high brick wall. It has two windows to the street, both of which are UPVC. The facade detailing and materials are similar to, and could be contemporary with, nos. 9 and 10 to the east. It has a gable end with chimney stack and modern windows on the west side.

9 and 10 Raven Street – Grade II

These are a pair of houses, three storeys high, and three bays wide, built as a single design, circa 1800. They are brick faced with plain tiled roof. There is a dentilled eaves band, and gable end chimney stacks. There are paired central doorways with pediments carried on console brackets. Original windows survive in no. 10 with flat arched brick heads.

11 and 11a Raven Street

A modern two storey brick faced block of no interest. There is a modern shopfront at the east end.

16 Bridge Street

A two storey building at the rear of 16 Bridge Street. The brick facade has been painted. The doors and windows are modern. The shallow pitched roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level. This could be an early 19th century building although much altered.

Raven Street - South

A Georgian building, part single part two storey with unpainted brick facades. There are segmental brick arches and a brick dentil course at eaves level. The facade has been altered with the replacement of window openings with garage doors at the east end. It is in poor condition but is of interest and should be retained and repaired. 

Bridge Street – East side (North to south)

1 and 1a Bridge Street

A three storey three bay Georgian-style (rebuilt ?) house with 20th century shopfronts. The windows are timbers sashes at first floor and casements at second floor level. The openings have gauged brick arches over. The shallow pitched roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level. The roof is hipped on the south side.

1b Bridge Street

A postwar single storey building with a modern shopfront and an access at the south end to the rear yard. It is not of interest.

2 Bridge Street

A single storey building with a modern traditional shopfront. It too is not of interest.

3 Bridge Street

Another post war two storey, four bay building in a neo-Georgian style. The shopfront is in a traditional style and the windows are timbers sashes. It makes a neutral/positive contribution to the conservation area.

4 Bridge Street

A postwar two storey three bay building with a modern shopfront and UPVC windows at first floor. on the south side is a vehicular entrance to the car park at the rear. It makes a negative/neutral contribution to the conservation area.

5 Bridge Street

A single storey modern building with a flat roof, which is of no interest. In front of the building is a car park area with a modern brick and metal boundary treatment. They both make a negative contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

6 Bridge Street

A modern two storey single bay building with a gable end facing Bridge Street. There is a timber shopfront in a traditional style. On the north side is a surface car park. The building is not of interest and makes a neutral / negative contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

7 Bridge Street

This is single storey modern building of no interest. There is a recessed area in front of the delivery bay on the north side. It detracts from the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Surface car park

To the north of no.8 is a large surface car park which is the subject of a council planning brief. The car park extends east to the west side of the New Basin.

8 Bridge Street

A two storey, two bay house. It has a Georgian style entrance door and framework, and a tall timber shopfront window on its south side. The first floor windows are UPVC. The openings have cornices over supported by two console brackets. The north side of the building has a gable end, with a variety of window openings and a door at the eastern end. There is an entrance door on the splayed southwest corner, and two modern windows on the south facade. The roof is set back behind the paragraph with gable ends north and south. This is likely to be a later 19th century (or much altered Georgian) building.

9 Bridge Street – The Port House – PH

This is neo-Georgian pub, three storeys high and three bays wide. It is rendered above a brick ground floor. The first floor and second floor windows are metal, with small panes. The roof is shallow pitched with projecting eaves. There is a two storey wing on the east side of the building, which is of similar design.

New Street (West to East)

North side

All of the buildings are Georgian unless otherwise stated.

7-8 New Street – Grade II

A large building, late 18th century, which comprises a three storey three bay Georgian house in the middle of the plot, with a two storey, three bay Georgian building on the east side and a two bay, two storey late 19th century wing on the west side, facing westwards. 

The central part is the original house, with timber sash windows in arched openings at ground floor and first floor levels. The ground floor windows have a tripartite arrangement of sashes, with six pane sashes in the centre flanked by two pane sashes either side. The windows are flush with the brickwork, which is in Flemish bond. The second floor windows have lintels over the openings. The shallow pitched roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level. The entrance is embellished with a wide 19th century stuccoed portico with two Doric columns, which projects onto the pavement. The entrance door is six panelled with side lights and rectangular fanlights. There are two steps up to the entrance.

The east wing is probably later, as the sash windows are recessed rather than flush with the facade, which is in stretcher bond, with occasional headers. The two ground floor windows have gauged brick arches and the first floor windows have flat lintels. The shallow pitched Welsh slate roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level. At the east end is a single storey wall with a four panelled timber door leading to an alleyway.

The west end is a later two storey extension from the end of the 19th century. It has a hipped roof, with chimney stacks at each end. At ground floor are two canted bays with pitched slate roofs, with single pane sash windows under flat gauged brick arches. At first floor the sash windows are two panes under gauged brick arches. There is a decorative brick course at eaves level. 

9 New Street – Grade II

A relatively small, three storey, one bay house, late 18th century. the Flemish bond brickwork facade is painted. The sash windows are four panes wide and sit within openings with stuccoed heads with stressed voussoirs and keystones. The eight pane sashes are probably original. The second floor windows comprise 19th century two pane sashes. The entrance door is on the west side, and has a pilastered framework with broken pediment above. The fanlight is blocked up. The six panelled door is modern. The shallow pitched Welsh slate roof has a modillion cornice at eaves level. The facade has a rendered plinth..

10 New Street – Grade II

This is similar to no.9 in detail but is a three storey, two bay house. The facade is unpainted. The windows are four panes wide at ground floor and first floor and appear to be original. The second floor windows are two pane sashes, which are later. The entrance is in the centre of the ground floor frontage; the framework is similar to no.9. On the east side is an opening under a staircase arch, with a modern vertically boarded door, which leads to an alleyway. Above the door are two rectangular lights, partially hidden by the brick arch. The facade has a rendered plinth. There is a projecting hanging sign board at first floor level. [Plate 4].

11 New Street – Grade II

No. 11 is very similar to no. 9 except the brickwork has not been painted. It forms a pair with no.12. The ground floor and first floor windows are probably original. The second floor windows are later.

12 New Street – Grade II

This is very similar to no.10. There are projecting lights at first floor which probably lit a hanging sign board. There is no fanlight above the door to the alley; it is boarded. The windows at second floor level are four pane sashes, which are probably original.

13, 14 and 15 New Street – Grade II

Originally built as a pair of houses in the late 18th century, but possibly altered. Five bays divided into unequal units.

No. 13 appears to be a three storey, two bay house which matches no.12. The entrance door at 13 is modern, with a glazed panel above a flush lower panel. The entrance to no.14 is through the original entrance to the alleyway, which was part of no.13. It has a modern metalwork gate in front.

No. 14 appears to be a single bay house. Oddly there is a vertical joint in the brickwork between the two buildings, but this aligns with the eastern reveals of the windows. The facade details broadly match no. 13. However, the pointing appears to be recessed and the rusticated arches over the windows are slightly taller. Welsh slate roofs.

15 New Street – Grade II

A single bay house very similar to no. 13. It has a modern panelled door, and a glazed fanlight. There is a projecting hanging sign board at ground floor level.

16 New Street – Grade II

A three storey, three bay house, late 18th century. It has similar windows and arches to the rest of the terrace but the facade has been rendered and lined out. The central entrance door has a portico with Ionic columns supporting a flat entablature and a simple Gothic fanlight. The five panelled door appears to be original. There are two stone steps up to the entrance. There is a projecting sign board at ground floor to the east of the entrance. Welsh slate roof, with Modillion eaves cornice.

17 New Street – Grade II

A three storey, three bay house, late 18th century. The main entrance is towards the east end and comprises an entablature supported by two Doric columns. There is a six panelled door, with raised and fielded panels , which appears to be original, with a decorative fanlight above,. At the west end is the entrance to the alleyway, with a vertically boarded door. The windows at ground floor level are original 8 pane sashes and at second floor they are pane sashes. The first floor windows are later pane sashes. Window openings have flat-arched stuccoed heads with voussoirs and keystones. Welsh slate roof with modillion cornice at eaves level.

18 New Street

A three storey, three bay public house (The Hope and Anchor); late 18th century. The entrance is in the centre and there is an entrance to the alleyway, with a modern boarded door, at the east end of the facade. The brickwork has been painted. The entrance pedimented portico appears to be modern. The first floor windows are original (8 pane sashes) but the ground floor and second floor windows are modern. Window openings have flat-arched stuccoed heads with voussoirs and keystones. There is a projecting hanging sign board at first floor level.

New Street – South side – West to East

At the west end of New Street is a surface car park.

4 New Street

A post war building of two storeys. It is set back from the street frontage behind a low hedge. The facade has small square window openings. The entrance is in the centre of the ground floor with a modern porch around it. The roof has a medium pitch, with ridge and eaves parallel to the street. It has gable ends on the west and east sides. It is not an attractive building and does not contribute positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

2 and 3 New Street – Grade II

This has the appearance of a three storey, three bay house but is a pair of semi-detached houses. The two entrances are combined under a simple pediment in the centre of the facade. The entrances are reached by modern steps which project onto the pavement. They have modern metalwork handrails. Either side are shallow curved bay windows. The Flemish bond brickwork is unpainted. The central window openings at first floor and second floor are blind. The others feature original sash windows, 6 pane sashes at first floor and 3 pane at second floor. The openings have shallow brick arches at first floor which have been painted. The second floor window openings have lintels. The shallow pitched roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level.

1 New Street

A two storey four bay building from the late 19th century. The brick facade has been painted. At the west end is a two bay section with an original four panelled, bolection moulded, door and 2 pane sashes at ground floor and first floor. There are shallow curved drip mouldings over the ground floor openings. At the east end is a 19th century shopfront with a three shop window on the west side of the entrance door and a single window on the east. The shopfront is contained within a traditional shopfront framework, with fascia and cornice above, supported by thin pilasters. The entrance door has a large glazed panel above two bolection moulded panels and is likely to be original, although altered. The shallow pitched roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level.

19 Bridge Street - New Street Facade

A modern three storey, 11 bay building. The facade is in brickwork, with Georgian style sash windows. At first floor there are projecting bays. At ground floor there are three entrance doors, the central one has a pediment over. The facade is topped with a parapet. At the east end, at the junction with Bridge Street, is a modern shopfront. This building was designed to relate to its Georgian neighbours. However, it is a rather poor quality pastiche which does little to contribute to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

York Street

23 – 24 York Street – Grade II

The building on the junction of Bridge Street and York Street is a three storey block, with a curved corner. It has a very good timber Georgian shopfront. Georgian sash windows appear to survive at first floor level. The second floor windows are modern timber windows, with top hung casements. the openings have gauged brick arches over. The brickwork is laid in English bond. The shallow pitched roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level.

22 York Street – Grade II

A two bay three storey Georgian building. Its facade is similar to 29 York Street. There are timbers sashes in openings with gauged brick arches. The timber shopfront is modern, but in a traditional style.

Waterfront Views, York Street

A three storey modern block of flats with a long, 8 bay facade, set back behind a wall. The western end of this wall is likely to be the garden wall to York House, although much rebuilt. The façade features eight square windows at each level, with a larger three pane window in the middle of the facade. It has a shallow pitched hipped roof. (The building faces south over the Upper Basin. It makes, at best, a neutral contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area).

York House, York Street – Grade II

This is the grandest Georgian house in Stourport, and one of the earliest, built circa 1780. It is three storeys high and three bays wide. The brick facade is topped with a modillion cornice and framed by quoins. The timber sashes are likely to be original. The openings have stucco arches over. The grand entrance has a central six panelled door with side lights, in a Venetian/Palladian style. The door has a semi-circular fanlight which breaks through the entablature and into the pediment. This is one of the best entrances in the town. The slate roof is shallow pitched and hipped at both ends, behind parapets, with two large chimney stacks.

On the east side is a two storey extension, above the original garden wall, albeit much altered with a window and door at ground floor level. There is also a large, unsightly, modern brick lift shaft. On the west side is a two storey canted bay, probably a 19th century addition.

The fine south facade is visible from the basins. It is rendered, with quoins and cornice at parapet level. At ground floor level are two curved bays either side of the entrance portico. There are two Venetian/Palladian windows at first floor level. At second floor level are three square windows, with 3 pane sashes. At basement level are brick vaults, with four segmental arches. In the centre is a wider three point arch, with rendered voussoirs.

21 York Street

A postwar building of two storeys and five bays. The facade is stretcher bond brickwork over a render ground floor. the windows are single pane sashes. It has a shallow pitched roof. It makes a neutral contribution to the conservation area.

20 York Street – Grade II

A three storey, two bay house, with timber sash windows, four panes wide. At ground floor level it has a pedimented framework, with a decorative fanlight over a six panelled door. On the east side of the door is a shallow curved shopfront window. The window openings have stuccoed voussoir arches with keystones. The shallow pitched roof has a modillion cornice at eaves level. [Plate 5].

19 York Street – Grade II

This is similar to York House, but not quite as imposing, partly because it is semi-detached. The main facade is three bays wide with a central entrance, with pediment and staircase fanlight over the six panelled door. The window openings have rendered voussoirs and keystones. The sashes are 8 pane, except for the top sashes at second floor level, which are 4 pane. The eastern end of the front facade has two window openings per floor, with six pane timber sash windows. The facade has quoins on its northeast corner. It has a shallow pitched hipped roof and features a modillion cornice at eaves level.  

The basin wall and single storey building

The wall is laid in English bond with dark headers and red stretchers. It is capped with engineering bricks.

The building dates to the 19th century and has a shallow pitched slate roof. There are three windows on the west side, with timber sashes. 

Wallfield Bridge

The bridge crosses the canal just to the north of its entrance to the Upper Old Basin. It has concrete parapet walls.

Character Area 4: Lichfield Street and Mart Lane

The main features of this area are:

  1. The terraced houses on the north side
  2. The terraced houses on the southeast side, including the store at the north end of Cheapside
  3. The terraced houses on the east side of the north end of Mart Lane
  4. The new development east of Mart Lane – around the Lichfield Basin
  5. The modern development on the southwest side – Larch Way.

Lichfield Street – North side

The plot at the west end of Lichfield Street is vacant and used as a small car park, bounded by low brick walls with semi-circular coping bricks. There are the remnants of railings on top of the wall at the north end.

1 Lichfield Street - Grade II

A single bay, three storey house with brick facade and timber sashes, circa 1800. The window openings have stucco arches, with keystones. The sash windows are of 16 and 12 panes, with flat-arched heads with voussoirs and keystones, and stone sills. There is an early C19 shop front to ground floor with central doorway flanked by bow windows (one renewed), under a single fascia with modillion cornice, supported on moulded console brackets. The entrance door is a modern replacement. The Welsh slate roof is shallow pitched, hidden behind the stone coped parapet of the front facade, but visible from the west. The west facade has timber sash windows set within openings with double brick arches. There is a door in the middle of the facade. The windows are on the north side of the door.

2 and 3 Lichfield Street - Grade II

These are a pair of three storey houses, separated at ground floor by a passageway to the rear, circa 1800. The windows at first floor and second floor above this are blind. There are timber sash windows at first floor and second floor levels, each sash is four panes wide. The first floor windows have gauged brick arches and the second floor openings have lintels. Both buildings have shallow projecting curved shopfronts. The door openings to the houses have semi-circular gauged brick arches with shallow open pediments over. The doors are six panelled. The Welsh slate roofs are shallow pitched with a slightly projecting eaves with modillion cornice.

4 Lichfield Street – Grade II

A large, three bay three storey house with Flemish bond brick façade, circa 1800. At the west end is a door to a passageway, with blind brickwork above. The remainder of the facade is a symmetrical composition, with timber sash windows (3 panes wide) in openings with gauged brick arches. The first floor windows have early 19th century decorative iron balustrades. Below the windows is a stone string course which separate the first floor from the ground floor. The entrance door has a semi-circular fanlight, set below a simple pediment. The east facade faces onto an alleyway and has 20th century casement windows. The Welsh slate roof is concealed behind the coped parapet at the front, but has an exposed eaves with a brick dentil course on the east side. 

5 to 8 Lichfield Street – Grade II

These buildings form a terrace of similar three storey, two bay houses, with Flemish bond brickwork facades, circa 1800. They are symmetrical about the party wall between 6 and 7, but the overall symmetry has been disrupted by a Victorian addition and partial rebuilding to No.8. The houses have entrances with semi-circular fanlights and shallow pediments. The windows are flush with the brick facades, with timber sash windows (four panes wide) set under gauged brick arches. The second floor windows have flat brick arches. Above the entrances to nos. 6 and 7 are blind window openings, painted to look like sashes. The shallow pitched roof, covered in Welsh slates, has a brick dentil course at eaves level.

No. 8 has a shallow pitched, two storeyed, late 19th century addition housing an upper "ballroom". An original doorcase survives, suggesting that this section is in fact a partial rebuild of an earlier bay. A later flat-roofed extension (also 19th century) projects forward of the building line. [Plate 6].

9 Lichfield Street – Grade II

No. 9 comprises a two bay two storey house at its eastern end. This features two timber sash windows at ground floor and first floor level, each three panes wide. The central door has a semi-circular fanlight and a pediment over. The concrete tiled roof is shallow pitched with a brick dentil course at eaves level. The western end of the building has a ground floor which projects beyond the building line of nos. 5-8 to the west.

10 Lichfield Street

No. 10 is a two storey, two bay house, but of smaller scale than no. 10. The facade comprises two separate sections of brickwork, with a vertical joint between them. The entrance door is at the east end, with a six panelled door under a semi-circular fanlight. There are two windows at both floor levels. The ground floor windows are set within segmental brick arches with keystones. The first floor windows have lintels over. The 6 pane sashes are set flush with the facade. The ground floor appears to have been altered. It was originally part of a longer terrace but the eastern houses have been demolished. These last two buildings are part of the Stourport Royal British Legion Club, with its car park on the east side.

Lichfield Street – South side (East to West)

15 Lichfield Street

A two storey, two bay 19th century terraced house. The front facade is in stretcher bond brickwork. It has been altered with modern windows (UPVC) and doors. Th openings have modern soldier courses over them. There is a low front garden wall. The shallow pitched roof has a gutter at eaves level.

Warehouse, 10 Severn Road

Just to the south of no.15 is a single storey warehouse form the early 19th century. This has a facade in stretcher bond brick work with a slate covered hipped roof. There are a pair of timber garage doors at the north end, under a timber lintel, and a door and a modern window to the south under concrete lintels.

16 Lichfield Street – Grade II

A two storey, two bay terraced early 19th century house, with an alleyway access at its east end. The front facade is in Flemish bond brickwork. There are two modern windows. The ground floor window has a gauged brick arches with a keystone. The first floor windows have lintels over. Above the entrance door is a blind opening. The entrance door has an eared framework with a pediment (with dentils) over. The door is modern. There is a low modern garden wall at the front. The shallow pitched roof has a gutter at eaves level.

17 Lichfield Street – Grade II

A two storey, three bay house with similar details to no.16. The front facade is in Flemish bond brickwork. The entrance has a similar pediment. The windows and door are modern. The shallow pitched roof has a gutter at eaves level. The front garden wall is modern.

18 Lichfield Street – Grade II

A two storey, three bay house, with a central entrance. The framework to the entrance is probably original; the six panelled door with raised and fielded panels could be original too. There are two windows at ground floor level and three at first floor level. The window are two panes sashes with horns, set flush with the facade. The ground floor openings have shallow brick arches over. The first floor openings have lintels. The shallow pitched roof has a gutter at eaves level. The front garden wall is modern. There is a modern extension at the west end, with two modern windows at ground floor on the return, facing west. There is garden and parking space on the west side of the house.

Stone boundary wall – Grade II

To the west of no.18 there is an old stone wall, four and a half courses high. This is an important historic boundary wall. This stops opposite no. Lichfield Street. The wall continues as a brick wall laid in English garden wall bond.

Behind the wall is the new development known as Larch Way. The buildings are two and three storeys high, design in a traditional manner with sash windows, rendered lintels, and brick dentil course at eaves level.

Mart Lane – East side (North to South)

Mart Lane runs along the eastern side of the Upper Old Basin. Most of the buildings are on the east side.

1 Mart Lane – Grade II

A single storey building, probably of similar date to the houses to the south (circa 1800). It has a painted brick facade, with brick dentil course at eaves level. There is a wide ground floor window with three casements of four panes each. There is a stuccoed flat arch with keystone. The six panelled door has a projecting canopy above. There is a small window on the north facade. At the corner with Lichfield Street is a low single storey building which is at basement level. The pitched roof has an eaves level just above street level, and a large chimney stack on the north gable. 

2, 3 and 4 Mart Lane – Grade II

Three houses, one formerly including a shop. They were all built together circa 1800. They are three storeys, with basements, and brick faced with plain tiled roofs. Nos. 2 and 3 are three bays wide. No.2 contains a narrow shop front at the north end with architrave and cornice over doorway and projecting square bay windows. They have six-panelled doors with over lights and three-light casement windows (each comprising five panes) with flat arched stuccoed heads with stressed voussoirs and keystones.

No.4 is a three storey, three bay house with a central six-panelled door with canopy porch supported on moulded console brackets. There are six-pane sash windows. The party walls are expressed with projecting brick pilasters. The shallow pitched roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level. [Plate 7].

5 and 6 Mart Lane – Grade II

A pair of two storey two bay houses, built circa 1820 and listed Grade II. They are the remains of a once-longer terrace which extended southwards. They are faced in brick, with a brick dentil course, and plain tiled shallow pitched roof. There are six-panelled doorways at the north ends and six -pane sash windows with flat arched brick heads.

7, 8 and 9

On the north side of the Lichfield Basin is a modern two storey brick faced terrace (nos. 7, 8 and 9) with detailing inspired by the Georgian terraced houses of the area, including sash windows, gauged brick arches and a brick dentil course.

Lichfield Basin and Bridge

The new development around Lichfield Basin (built in 2006) comprises five large residential blocks of three and four storeys, namely Beaulieu House (northwest), River View (north), Severn View (east) Waterfall House (south) and Windermere (west). Their design is modern, with brick and rendered facades and projecting balconies. 

Lichfield Basin is linked to the Upper Old Basin by a new bridge which was built as part of the recent residential development around the recreated Lichfield Basin. This has brick parapets (in stretcher bond) with semi-circular coping stones. There is a pavement on the east side only.

Character Area 5: Severn Side, Severn way and Cheapside

The key features of this area include:

  1. Severn Side (east side)
  2. The Angel Inn
  3. The factories along the river and on Cheapside
  4. The alleyway / footpath which runs east west linking Bridge Street in the west to Cheapside in the east

Stables – Grade II

On the east side of Severn Side, just south of the Tontine Hotel, is the original stable block to the hotel, built circa 1800, and listed Grade II. It is a two storeyed, four bay building with a range of three wide doorways, two of which two now blocked and with inserted modern windows, and an inserted wide doorway towards the north end. A single original sash window survives at the south end; the other appear to be later replacements. There is a loading door to the first floor, and two windows aligning with lower openings.

Warehouse – Grade II (Group value)

To the north of this block, and set further east, is a later two storey, nine bay building, at the south end of Mart Lane. It was originally the Ames and Worthington Warehouse built in the 18th century. It has been much altered with the insertion of modern windows and a door. There is a wide arched opening which leads to a car park at the rear and a much narrower pedestrian opening at the south end which leads, in a rather angular fashion, to the alleyway which runs east to Cheapside, along the north side of the site of the former Cheapside Basin which was south of the Lichfield Basin and north of the Angel Inn, but which no longer exists. The building forms part of the listing of the stable block and is included in the listing for ‘group value’.

2 Severn Side – Grade II

At the south end of the stable block is no. 2, which is a two storey, two bay house from 1830, and also listed Grade II. It has painted brickwork and a Welsh slate roof above a brick dentil course at eaves level. There is a central six-panelled door in pedimented case with architrave and entablature, flanked by 16-pane sash windows with flat arched brick heads. At its north end is a bay which forms part of the adjacent former stable block. In front of the house are cast-iron railings on a low brick wall with stone copings, which enclose the front garden. [Plate 8].

3 Severn Side

No.3 Severn Side is a two storey, two bay house, which is not listed but appears to be late Georgian (late 18th century or early 19th century). This was probably the lock keepers cottage. It has painted brick facades, a shallow pitched roof, with brick dentil course at eaves level, and a central chimney stack. The ground floor has been altered with the insertion of windows and doors. Its gable end faces the River Severn. There is a mixture of 19th century and 20th century windows. In front is a painted brick garden wall. (Although altered, the building could be listable).

4 Severn Side – Grade II

This is at the south end of the street and is a two storey building listed at Grade II. It was built against the back wing of No.5 Severn Side, circa 1820. It also has painted brick facades with a hipped Welsh slate roof above a brick dentil course at eaves level. There is a six-panelled entrance door with console brackets supporting an entablature. There are 16-pane sash windows on each floor, the lower with flat arched brick head. The chimney stack is at the rear, adjacent to no.5. The front garden is enclosed with a brick wall (unpainted) with semi-circular copings, topped with decorative railings.

5, 6 and 7 Severn Side – Grade II

Running north from the riverside is a terrace of five buildings. These include nos. 5, 6 and 7 which are Grade II listed. These three storey houses date to the late 18th century and have brick facades with hipped plain tiled roofs above a brick dentil course at eaves level. The windows are flush with the brickwork and are generally six pane sashes, in openings with segmental arched openings. No.5 has a shopfront type window at the south end. No. has a blind window at first floor and second floor levels on the east facade. On the south facade it has flat gauged brick arches over the ground floor windows. There are narrower window openings on the ground floor and first floor of the west facade.

No.5 has a low garden brick wall, unpainted, with railings on top. Nos. 6 and 7 have a low brick wall with semi-circular dark brick copings and no railings. The gates are timber.

8 and 9 Severn Side

Nos. 8 and 9 Severn Side are two storey two bay houses, with painted brick facades, with modern timber casement windows in openings with timber lintels over. The doors appear to be modern. The front gardens are enclosed by a low unpainted brick wall with semi-circular dark brick copings, and with timber gates. The roof is plain tiled, with a brick dentil course at eaves level, and. These are also likely to be late Georgian buildings.

The Angel Inn – Grade II

To the east of these houses is the Angel Inn public house. According to Historic England it is probably substantially of the mid 18th century, predating the basins, though extended in the later 18th century with the growth of Stourport as a new town. It is built of brick with a Welsh slate roof above a brick dentil course. It is three storeys high and three bays wide. There is a central doorway in pedimented case with consoles carrying an entablature. The windows on ground and first floor are wide 10 pane sashes with flat arched rubbed brick heads with keystones. A change of brickwork, and different window types suggests that the upper storey was possibly added to an existing building at the end of the C18. The top floor windows are 8 pane sashes with single ring segmentally arched heads.

The pub car park is on the west side and there is a terrace with seating in front of the pub, facing the river. At the rear of the pub is a large garden. The public footpath (Severn Way) runs along the river bank in front of the pub garden. There is a long pontoon opposite the pub.

Cheapside

To the east of Severn Side the public footpath continues along the riverbank. Here there are large factories which partially occupy the site of the Cheapside Basin (1812) which was been infilled in the 19th century and the gas works was built. The western building comprises a long, single storey building with a double pitched roof running parallel to the River Severn. On its north side is a wide modern warehouse building also with a double pitched roof. This backs onto the pedestrian alleyway which joins Mart Lane and Cheapside. To the east of this is another building with two double pitched roof, running parallel to the River Severn.

At the east end of the latter building is the southern end of Cheapside, which runs northeast-southwest, down to the river  On the west side is a pavement of dark paving bricks, probably from the 19th century. The end wall of the factory comprises an inclined dark brick wall, with a brown brick wall above. On top of this is the modern corrugated cladding of the building, with its two gable ends. The north side of the building faces onto Cheapside and is late 20th century. It sits behind an older brick wall, capped with semi-circular coping bricks.

The Vinegar Factory

On the east side of the south end of Cheapside is the west wall of part of the former Vinegar Works complex, which comprises a number of buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The main building is on the north side of Cheapside, with two brick gable ends facing south. These are decorated with blind brick panels., with semi-circular arches over. The western bay has three panels; the eastern bay has five. On the east side of the former Vinegar Works is a surface car park, with a modern metal security fence on its south side. [Plate 9].

1 and 2 Cheapside – Grade II

Cheapside runs northwest-southeast and then at its western end it makes a right angle turn and runs northeast wards. At this junction there is the remains of an early 19th century terrace comprising nos. 1 and 2 Cheapside. These are three storey brick faced houses, with a curved facade at the turning point of the street. They date from circa 1800 and are listed Grade II. Some original sash windows survive in openings with segmental brick arches.

The buildings are in poor condition and appear to be at serious risk of decay. They are included on the council’s Buildings At Risk register. North of the houses is a lower two storey building, of similar date, which extends northwards. It features two door openings, with a gauged brick arches at the south end and a segmental brick arch at the north opening, and one window at both ground floor and first floor levels. The shallow pitched roof has a brick dentil course at eaves level.

Opposite the houses, on the south side of the street, at the entrance to the warehouse buildings, is a pair of former 19th century terraced houses. These have been much altered.

On the west side of Cheapside is an historic sandstone wall which historically defined the eastern boundary of the Lichfield Basin.

Appendix III: Listed Buildings in the Area

BRIDGE OVER RIVER SEVERN

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209919

 

BRIDGE INN

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292409

 

 11, BRIDGE STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209447

 

12, BRIDGE STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209448

 

13, BRIDGE STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292637

 

14 AND 15, BRIDGE STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292406

 

27, BRIDGE STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209449

 

9 AND 10, RAVEN STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292649

 

2 AND 3, NEW STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292257

 

7 AND 8, NEW STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1217880

9 AND 10, NEW STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209469

 

11 AND 12, NEW STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292226

 

13, 14 AND 15, NEW STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209470

 

16, NEW STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1217896

 

17, NEW STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292648

 

HOPE AND ANCHOR PUBLIC HOUSE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292241

 

19 AND 20, YORK STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1218056

 

21, YORK STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292161

 

22, 23 AND 24, YORK STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209477

 

2, 3 AND 4, MART LANE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209466

5 AND 6, MART LANE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1217856

 

1 AND 2, CHEAPSIDE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209932

 

SANDSTONE WALLS

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1380976

 

1, LICHFIELD STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292644

 

2 AND 3, LICHFIELD STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1217811

 

4, LICHFIELD STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209459

 

5-8, LICHFIELD STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1217814

 

9, LICHFIELD STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292267

 

16 AND 17, LICHFIELD STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292645

 

18, LICHFIELD STREET

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209460

TONTINE BUILDINGS

Grade: II*

List Entry Number: 1292639

 

FORMER STABLING FOR TONTINE HOTEL

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292169

 

ATTACHED RAILINGS

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209474

 

4, SEVERN SIDE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1217988

 

5, 6 AND 7, SEVERN SIDE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292611

 

THE ANGEL PUBLIC HOUSE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209475

 

CANAL BASINS LOCKS ENGINE BASIN

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209450

 

CANAL BASINS, LOCKS AND WHARVES

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209441

 

STOURPORT YACHT CLUB HOUSE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1209452

 

CANAL MAINTENANCE BUILDINGS AND LOCK COTTAGE

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1292376

Appendix IV. Extracts from the Wyre Forest District Local Plan

Wyre Forest District Local Plan (2016-2036)

25 Safeguarding the Historic Environment

Policy DM.23 - Safeguarding the Historic Environment

Proposals likely to affect the significance of a heritage asset (including the contribution made by its setting or any important vistas or views) should be accompanied by a description of its significance in sufficient detail to allow the potential impacts to be adequately assessed by a qualified and/or experienced heritage professional. This will usually be in the form of a Heritage Statement. Where there is potential for heritage assets with archaeological interest to be affected, this description should be informed by available evidence, desk-based assessment and, where appropriate, field evaluation to establish the significance of known or potential heritage assets.

Any development proposal causing harm or loss of significance to a heritage asset will be resisted unless clear and convincing justification is provided, to permit assessment against the NPPF criteria, relevant legislation and published local and national guidance.

Development proposals should avoid harm to or loss of heritage assets wherever possible. The highest level of harm should require very robust justification, including the demonstrable consideration of alternatives. Substantial harm to a designated heritage asset should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances.

The sympathetic and creative reuse and adaptation of historic buildings will be encouraged. Such proposals that provide a sustainable future for heritage assets identified as at risk, will be considered in accordance with Policy DM.24.

Repairs, alterations, extensions and conversions of heritage assets must be sympathetically designed to respect the significance of the form, character and materials of the original heritage asset and its setting. Fixtures and fittings should be inconspicuously sited and proportioned and be designed sympathetically to reflect the significance of the asset

Where a material change to a heritage asset has been agreed, recording and interpretation should be undertaken to document and understand the asset’s archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic significance. The scope of the recording should be proportionate to the asset’s significance and the impact of the development on the asset. The information and understanding gained should be made publicly available, as a minimum through the relevant Historic Environment Record and where appropriate at the asset itself through on-site interpretation.

Reasoned Justification

25.1 The various elements of the historic environment contribute to making Wyre Forest District a desirable place to live, work and attract tourism and economic investment to the area. Conservation of heritage assets must reflect a sufficient understanding of their significance, including both their setting and their wider context in the landscape/townscape. It is recognised that many heritage assets, in particular archaeological remains, are currently unidentified and thus their significance is unknown. Appropriate information, where necessary from a field evaluation of significance, is the key to well-informed decision-making.

25.2 Local heritage listing is a means for a community and a local authority to jointly identify heritage assets that are valued as distinctive elements of the local historic environment. The Local Heritage List identifies those heritage assets that are not protected by statutory designations. A Local Heritage List provides clarity on the location of these assets and what is significant about them. Their local interest could be related to the social and economic history of the area, individuals of local importance, settlement patterns or the age, design and style of buildings. The Local Heritage List is not restricted to buildings. It may comprise sites, places or areas such as village greens or ponds. It may include structures such as bridges and sluices, and historic street furniture such as letter boxes, signposts or telephone boxes. Local Heritage Assets are not given any protection through Law, but the use of appropriate materials and design is encouraged in schemes for their alteration. Repairs should be undertaken on a like-for-like basis. The District Council will continue to compile and maintain its Local Heritage List for those undesignated heritage assets it considers to be of local interest and significance.

25.3 Pre-application discussions are encouraged, as this will allow the early identification of heritage issues, save time, reduce risk and improve the quality of applications and thereby encourage investment in the District. These discussions should involve the relevant local planning authority, applicants, architects and agents and heritage specialists and Parish or Town Councils working on Neighbourhood Plans. Proposals involving new build, repair, alteration or extension of heritage assets can conserve the significance of the existing asset and its setting. This may be achieved by means of appropriate siting, massing, form, height, scale, design and use of local materials.

25.4 The use of local building materials or the sourcing of building materials compatible with those used historically but no longer available (such as stone from local quarries which have closed) is of great importance in maintaining the character of the built historic environment. The Building Stones Database produced by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust provides data on the origins of building stone used in local buildings and the District Council will use evidence contained within this database to inform its decision making.

25.5 The sympathetic reuse, repair and adaptation of existing buildings can act as a catalyst for economic regeneration, support tourism and encourage the sustainable use of resources. It is important that any climate change mitigation / adaptation measures do not cause harm to the significance of heritage assets. Where appropriate, when opportunities for creative, contemporary and innovative architectural design arise, they will be encouraged.

25.6 In having regard for the provisions of the NPPF, the total loss of any heritage asset either by demolition or development will be resisted unless all reasonable efforts have been made to sustain existing uses, find viable new uses for the asset, or otherwise preserve it in charitable or community ownership. When considering development proposals of substantial benefit to the community and warranting consideration of total loss of a heritage asset, the District Council will require clear evidence that the redevelopment will proceed.

25.7 The District Council will from time to time identify and designate Conservation Areas where it considers those Areas to have special character warranting protection under Policy DM.23. Alongside relevant policies and guidance regard should be had to the provisions of relevant legislation, including the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

26 Quality Design and Local Distinctiveness

Policy DM.24 Quality Design and Local Distinctiveness

All development will be expected to be of a high design quality. It will need to integrate effectively with its surroundings, in terms of form and function, reinforce local distinctiveness and conserve, and where appropriate, enhance cultural and heritage assets, landmarks and their settings. New and innovative designs which promote high levels of inclusivity and sustainability will be encouraged and supported where they enhance the overall quality of the built environment.

Applications should demonstrate, through a Design and Access Statement or other supporting evidence, how the objectives outlined in criterion 1 have been addressed. They will also need to address the following matters:

Siting and layout

The siting and layout of a development should reflect the given characteristics of the site in terms of its appearance and function. Orientation should take advantage of passive heating and cooling systems, offer shade as appropriate and provide for the use of renewable energy.

Relationship to Surroundings and to Other Development

Development proposals must complement the character of the area. In particular, development should respond to surrounding buildings and the distinctive features or qualities that contribute to the visual and heritage interest of the townscape, frontages, streets and landscape quality of the local area, and should integrate well into the existing street scene. Development should concentrate the most active uses or entrances on main thoroughfares and focal points, maximising the use of corner plots and the street frontage, and have appropriate regard to the common building line, historic street pattern and skyline.

Neighbouring Amenity

Development should provide an adequate level of privacy, outlook, sunlight and daylight, and should not be unduly overbearing.

Settlement Character

The distinct identity and character of settlements should be safeguarded and proposals should be consistent with the relevant Conservation Area Character Appraisal or Neighbourhood Plan. Design proposals should ensure that the prominent views, vistas and skylines of Bewdley, Stourport-on-Severn, Kidderminster and the village settlements are maintained and safeguarded, particularly where they relate to heritage assets, existing landmark buildings, and ‘gateway’ sites. Development at the urban edges should respect the rural setting.

Mix of Uses

To create vitality and interest, proposals should incorporate a mix of uses where this is appropriate to the location.

Flexible Design

Development should incorporate flexible designs, addressing access to public open spaces and enabling adaption for future needs and uses in terms of internal spaces and extensions. It should avoid being prejudicial to the development of larger areas.

Scale, Height and Massing

The scale, height and massing of development must be appropriate to the setting of the site and the surrounding landscape character and townscape, including existing urban grain and density. The footprint should be appropriate for the locality and not represent over-development of the site.

Links, Connectivity and Access

Design and layouts should maximise opportunities for pedestrian and cycle linkages to the surrounding area and local services and should be generally accessible for all users, including those with disabilities. Vehicular traffic from the development should be able to access the highway safely and the road network should have the capacity to accommodate the type and volume of traffic from the development.

Detailed Design and Materials

The detailing and materials of development should be of high quality and appropriate to its context, avoiding inappropriate features and detail. Design should have regard to sustainable construction approaches and ensure adaptability to changes in the climate.

Appropriate Facilities

Development should incorporate the parking facilities required by the current Parking Standards and provision for the storage of bicycles. Satisfactory access and provision for the parking, servicing and manoeuvring of vehicles should be provided in accordance with the recognised standards. Parking solutions should provide secure parking with adequate natural surveillance without resulting in cars dominating a development.

Landscaping

Development should provide high quality hard and soft landscaping. The importance of soft landscaping, using appropriate species and incorporating arrangements for long-term management is emphasised. Existing trees should be incorporated into development or replacements provided where a tree survey demonstrates trees are not worthy of retention or retention is not possible.

Public Realm

Public realm and open spaces should be well-designed, appropriately detailed and maintained via management agreements. They should also incorporate active frontages where appropriate. Proposals should include hard and soft surfaces, public art, street furniture, shade, lighting and signage as appropriate to the development. Open space and play provision should be sited to take advantage of natural surveillance.

Creating a Safe and Secure Environment

Opportunities for creating a safe and secure environment and providing surveillance should be included, principally through the layout and positioning of buildings, spaces and uses. Where appropriate, development should incorporate measures for crime reduction that are consistent with those recommended by the Secured by Design guides. Buildings and their surrounding spaces should incorporate fire safety measures and be designed to allow rapid access by the emergency services.

New development should be inclusive and accessible for all users including those with disabilities.

Reasoned Justification

26.1 The NPPF requires Local Planning Authorities to prepare robust policies on design. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development (NPPF paragraph 126) and excellence in design can create a sense of place, improve the attractiveness of a location and create safer places to live and work, thereby enhancing the quality of people’s lives. Much detailed advice on design issues exists at the national level but, given the importance of the issue locally, it is considered essential to have a specific development management policy at the District level.

26.2 This policy is underpinned by the Council’s Adopted Design Guidance SPD 2015. This SPD will be updated following adoption of the Local Plan.

26.3 Good design can have a number of direct and indirect advantages. Well- designed well-connected places provide safe and attractive pedestrian environments and can therefore encourage sustainable modes of transport. Well-designed buildings can also incorporate sustainable and climate change mitigation features which maximise natural heating, cooling and lighting and provide opportunities for the generation of renewable energy.

26.4 Poor design, on the other hand, has the potential to detract from people’s day-to-day lives through poor building relationships, car-dominated layouts and a sub-standard public realm, all of which add little to a sense of place and have a negative impact on land values, property prices and the environment in general.

26.5 The landscapes and townscapes of the District represent a legacy of previous developments and they frequently present a history of design styles. Whilst many aspects of this design legacy are pleasing in terms of their aesthetics and function there are other examples which neither are pleasing nor continue to function well.

26.6 Mixed use developments add to the vitality and viability of places. Residential properties within town centres extend the length of time activity takes place and create natural surveillance. Small business units and retail outlets within primarily urban areas increase the activity within those areas making places feel safer.

26.7 Good design is also a crucial element in supporting economic prosperity, and can be an important factor in attracting inward investment and promoting a vibrant tourist economy. Where some employment development proposals require the accommodation of specific processes, design solutions should strive to achieve a positive aesthetic without compromising the functionality of the development.

26.8 It is essential that full consideration is given to achieving sustainable development which counteracts anticipated climatic variations over the lifetime of a new building or development through the choice of location, design and materials. It is also important to address ecological integrity and there may be opportunities for slowing excess water through the use of green infrastructure, and use of guttering which can cope with higher-intensity rainfall. Reducing the demand for energy and improving energy efficiency is also an important starting point for achieving sustainable design. Further advice and guidance can be sought from the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment, which covers risks to infrastructure and the built environment.

26.9 Good design is also vital in protecting and enhancing the special character of Wyre Forest. The design principles contained within this policy provide a design framework for new development that is explained further in the Design Guidance Supplementary Planning Document. They may also be complemented by Neighbourhood Plans, Management Plans and Conservation Area Appraisals that can provide the ”fine grain” local design detail. In accordance with the NPPF, it is expected that pre-application discussions should include design-related matters.

26.10 Where development proposals are required to be accompanied by a Design and Access Statement, these should be used to explain how the principles of good design, including those set out in this policy’s criteria, have been incorporated into the development. This policy should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies in the WFDP and proposals will be expected to demonstrate that they have been informed by current available guidance.

Policy DM.25 - Design of Extensions and Alterations

Extensions and alterations, whether to residential or non-residential properties should not have a serious adverse effect on the amenity of neighbouring residents or occupiers.

Residential extensions and alterations should:

  • Accord with the 45 degree code
  • Be in scale and keeping with the form, materials, architectural characteristics and detailing of the original building
  • Be subservient to and not cumulatively, when taken with previous extensions, overwhelm the original building, which should retain its visual dominance
  • Harmonise with the existing landscape or townscape and not create incongruous features
  • Not encroach onto neighbouring land not owned by or under the control of the applicant, including highway pavements where properties are built up to the back of pavement
  • Unless it can be demonstrated that there is no other alternative, the development of flat roofed extensions will not be allowed.

Proposals involving the extension or alteration of an existing non-residential building should:

  • Accord with the 45 degree code if located next to a residential property.
  • Harmonise with the existing landscape or townscape and be complementary to the appearance of the existing building.
  • Not unduly diminish the amount of ancillary operational space.

Reasoned Justification

26.11 Extensions to dwellings constitute one of the most frequent proposals for development. A well-designed extension may add to the value of a property whereas unsympathetic design may not only reduce the value of the building but, potentially, its overall life-span.

26.12 As a general rule extensions should be subservient to and reflect the scale and character of the existing building. Extensions, both in themselves and when taken together with previous works, should not dominate the original building. A cumulative succession of modest extensions on a building could have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area, particularly sensitive open countryside and Green Belt. For this reason extensions must be in scale with the original building rather than the building at the time of the application.

26.13 This policy is underpinned by the Council’s Adopted Design Guidance SPD 2015. This SPD will be updated following adoption of the Local Plan.

26.14 Most dwelling houses in the District feature traditional pitched roofs, and in order to ensure that two storey extensions to such dwellings harmonise in general design terms, the use of flat roofs on such extensions will not normally be permitted.

26.15 The designers of extensions must consider the 45 degree code in order to protect the amenity of neighbouring residents. Proposals that do not adhere to the code will not be permitted.

26.16 Extensions and alterations to non-residential buildings must have regard to their impacts on the visual integrity of the building and local amenity. Such proposals should not seriously diminish the amount of operational space to the detriment of local amenity and safety.

26.17 Where properties have been constructed to the back of the pavement with no amenity space in front of the elevation facing the highway, extensions or alterations (including external thermal cladding) will technically fall outside the curtilage and will not be permitted in the interests of highway safety and maintenance of utility services.

Policy DM.26 - Landscaping and Boundary Treatment

Landscape Schemes and Boundary Treatments should be:

  • Specific to the place, recognise the context, reflect existing materials where these contribute to the character of the area and be demonstrably maintainable

Landscape schemes must demonstrate that they:

  • Are informed by the Landscape Character Assessment and/or Historic Landscape Characterisation, protecting existing trees, hedges and other landscape features where possible.
  • Provide adequate room for growth and acknowledge the importance of existing trees, hedges and plants when specifying their location
  • Predominantly use local native species to protect and improve biodiversity
  • Incorporate features to clearly mark desire lines, enhance or create views or vistas, and clearly define public and private spaces
  • Incorporate planting appropriate to the prevention of crime and vandalism
  • Provide imaginative, durable and porous hard landscaping solutions which add to a sense of place and local distinctiveness, meet policy requirements on water management integrating SUDS where possible
  • Utilise lighting and architectural features to give artistic effect where appropriate to the locality
  • Encourage walking and cycling and provide direct routes to relevant services
  • Have a sustainable management plan providing for maintenance and aftercare

Boundary Treatments must be designed to:

  • Reflect the local landscape or urban character and appearance of the area and protect existing trees, hedges or distinct landscape features to protect and improve biodiversity
  • Reinstate and include appropriate new vegetative boundaries wherever possible
  • Provide woodland planting where new development is proposed along transport corridors if this is appropriate to the existing landscape type or natural habitats

Reasoned Justification

26.18 Landscaping schemes and boundary treatments are an important aspect of design. When the topography of an area or the layout of the buildings is taken into account, a combination of good design and landscaping can dramatically reduce the impact of development.

26.19 Wyre Forest District has a wealth of native species which should be utilised in landscaping schemes to harmonise with the character of the wider area.

26.20 Insensitive landscaping schemes can harm the openness of the Green Belt and impact on historic views of the local towns and villages.

26.21 The definition of public and private spaces is important to facilitate future management of landscapes in both urban and rural settings. Landscape schemes require a clear and sustainable management plan to ensure that they do not degenerate over time into wasteland.

26.22 The use of certain plants (particularly those with spikes or thorns) can deter vandals, burglars and other criminal activity. Consideration should be given to how sensitive landscaping will contribute to a reduction in crime whilst being manageable and attractive.

26.23 The integration of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems into hard landscaping schemes can enrich biodiversity and ecology whilst contributing to a reduction in flood risk See Policy SP32.

26.24 Architectural and lighting features can enhance and contribute to an increase activity levels in and around landscaping schemes which can make these places better integrated into an urban environment.

26.25 It is important to be able to easily identify the boundary between public and private spaces. Walls, fences, railings, gates, archways, paving and signage can all be used and should form an integral part of the design solution.

26.26 Walling with or without timber infill panels, designed as an integral part of the overall development will enhance a housing development over the longer term, particularly when used in association with well-designed landscaping. Timber fencing along boundaries with the public domain is considered inappropriate due to its limited lifespan and vulnerability to damage.

26.27 The need for a secure perimeter around industrial, commercial, business and retail premises is recognised, especially where there are external storage areas or vehicle depots. It is important, however, that the choice of fencing and screening can harmonise well with the wider setting.

26.28 Where there is a requirement for screening, this can be designed as a work of art and this will be encouraged to mitigate adverse impacts where appropriate.

26.29 Landscaping is an important element of design and should augment good design rather than screening or hiding poor design.

26.30 Landscape schemes whether for residential or non-residential properties should have regards to the design principles set out within the Council’s Adopted Design Guidance SPD (2015, and subsequent revisions).

Policy DM.27 - Advertisements

Proposals for advertisements must:

  • Not have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the area or building in/on which they are displayed.
  • Not be prejudicial to public safety by reasons of their size, location or content.
  • Not obstruct a highway or public right of way either directly or through maintenance requirements.
  • Not confuse users of highways, navigable waterways and railways.

Proposals for large advertisement hoardings or groups of small hoardings will only be permitted within towns at the following locations:

  • Vacant plots in large commercial or industrial areas or to provide temporary screening of those areas whilst undergoing development.
  • Around sites identified by the Council as long-term eyesores where alternative screening will not adequately enhance the amenity of the area.

Proposals for advertisements within, on or adjacent to heritage assets must:

  • Meet the criteria contained in Policies SP.21 - Historic Environment and DM.23 - Safeguarding the Historic Environment
  • Reflect traditional signage compatible with the design and age of the heritage asset.
  • Avoid the use of internally illuminated signage or box fascias.
  • Avoid the use of non-traditional materials such as UPVC, Perspex and Plastics.
  • Be in scale and proportion to the heritage asset on which they are displayed.
  • Advance Warning Signs that would result in harm to the amenity of the townscape or landscape will not be permitted.

Freestanding signs, in addition to meeting the criteria set out in Section 1 above, must:

  • Relate well to the business of the site.
  • Not lead to a predominance of such signage.
  • Be sited within the forecourt or curtilage of the building to which they relate

Reasoned Justification

26.31 The display of advertisements is subject to a separate consent process within the planning system. (47)

26.32 In assessing applications to display advertisements the Planning Authority will have regard to the desirability of preserving the character and appearance of the general locality and the architectural quality or character of buildings when considering amenity issues.

26.33 Illuminated signage will only be permitted where lighting is unobtrusive or not considered to be harmful to the character and appearance of the site or surroundings. When internal illumination is proposed individual illuminated letters are preferred.

26.34 Advertisement hoardings may harm the visual integrity of buildings if they are placed without due regard for the building’s design and fenestration pattern. Proposals for externally mounted advertisement hoardings should demonstrate that the visual amenity of the building or area will not be compromised.

26.35 The maintenance of public safety will be of paramount concern when considering applications for advertisements adjacent to railways, navigable waterways and highways.

26.36 The placing of an advertisement on or close to listed buildings is unlikely to preserve their special interest and is best avoided. Proposals affecting a Conservation Area should demonstrate that its character will be preserved or enhanced.

26.37 Consent will be granted for outdoor advertisements (including poster hoardings) provided the display will not adversely affect the amenity of the area or impact on public safety. Large hoardings in rural areas are likely to be out of place because of their urbanising effect.

Policy DM.28 - Wyre Forest Waterways

River Severn

Within the towns of Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley developments and initiatives that make a positive contribution to the creation of a high quality riverside environment will be supported where these do not conflict or otherwise harm the character of the Conservation Areas or the wider landscape.

River Stour

The opening up and enhancement of the River Stour in Kidderminster town centre will be encouraged. Within the towns of Stourport-on-Severn and Kidderminster developments and initiatives that make a positive contribution to the creation of a high quality riverside environment will be supported where these do not conflict or otherwise harm the character of the Conservation Areas or the wider landscape.

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal

Developments and initiatives that make a positive contribution to the creation of an attractive and high quality canal-side environment will be supported.

Development adjacent to the canal should, where appropriate, provide a strong, active frontage onto the waterside providing natural surveillance and promoting high levels of activity during the day.

Development in proximity to the canal should promote its use as a sustainable pedestrian and cycle route with towpath surfacing appropriate to the area through which the canal passes and its likely use. Canal-side landscaping should be appropriate for the location, set back to allow for future growth, allow for safe navigation and feature robust barriers to ensure vehicles do not enter the waterway.

All development proposals affecting the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Conservation Area (a designated heritage asset) must comply with the requirements of Policy DM.23 Safeguarding the Historic Environment.

Reasoned Justification

26.38 The District’s two major rivers are fundamental to the history, heritage and future of the District.

River Severn

26.39 The River Severn shaped the historic development of Bewdley as an inland river port, later overtaken by Stourport-on-Severn, Britain’s first canal town. Although the industrial role of the river has ceased it remains an important dominant feature both culturally and economically.

26.40 Whilst the River Severn plays an important role in attracting tourism to both Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley, the potential for tourism associated with the River Stour and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal in Kidderminster has yet to be exploited.

River Stour

26.41 The River Stour, running north to south through the district powered medieval fulling mills and encouraged iron production at several semi-rural locations. Running through the centre of Kidderminster it was vital to the rapid industrial growth of the town, and, at a slightly later date, the industrialisation of Stourport. Unlike the navigable River Severn, the Stour ran through culverts in Kidderminster powering manufactories and serving dye-houses. Recent developments have exposed more of the river to view, however the town has yet to make the most of the opportunities this provides.

26.42 The River Stour enters the River Severn at Stourport-on-Severn. The potential of the river at this location has been largely over-looked in recent years; however, there is potential for sensitive development adjacent to the river on former industrial sites where flood risk assessment allows.

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal - Stourport-on-Severn

26.43 Stourport-on-Severn is unique as the only town in Britain built solely as a consequence of the construction of a canal. At one time only second to Birmingham as the Midlands' busiest inland port, despite the significant decline in industry in the town the canal remains crucial to the local tourism offer.

26.44 The historic and cultural significance of the canal to the development of Stourport-on-Severn and to the industrialisation of the wider District is explained within the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Conservation Area Appraisal.

26.45 Whilst Stourport Basins have benefited from successful restoration schemes, their potential as a visitor attraction remains secondary to that of the River Severn and the amusements lining its banks. Longer visitor stays could be encouraged by capitalising on heritage-based tourism.

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal – Kidderminster

26.46 The canal runs through the town centre and adjacent to several large retailers as well as places to eat and drink, however the potential of the canal has yet to be fulfilled.

26.47 There is great economic potential yet to be unlocked in Kidderminster provided by canal-based tourism. Anecdotal evidence, however, suggests that a fear of anti-social behaviour and a perceived remoteness from the town centre deter all but brief stops. The canal does not benefit from much natural surveillance and litter, graffiti and poorly surfaced and signposted pedestrian routes contribute to a perception that the town does not relate well to the canal. Given the close proximity to the canal of supermarkets and restaurants easily accessible by car consideration must be given to supporting development which forges stronger links between the canal and the town, whilst providing activity throughout the day.

Nature

26.48 The District’s waterways present an opportunity to provide essential green infrastructure and biodiversity corridors and habitats. This policy should be read in conjunction with policies SP.23 - Protecting and Enhancing Biodiversity, SP.24 Protecting and Enhancing Geodiversity and SP.28 Green Infrastructure.

Relevant Supplementary Planning Documents

Historic England Publications

Other documents

Let us know your views

We would like to know your views on the Stourport No.1 & No.2 Conservation Area Character Appraisals. We would also like your thoughts on the suggested boundary amendments and what other issues you believe should be reflected in the management plans.

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