Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal

June 2012

Conservation Area Appraisals

The Council has prepared character appraisals for most of the Borough’s conservation areas. They provide a useful record of the particular architectural or historical characteristics of each conservation area, identify the buildings which are most important from a heritage point of view and are helpful guidance in determining planning applications which may affect the character of the area. They are also useful in recording change that has happened over time and for making alterations that may be necessary to the boundaries of the conservation area. The preparation of each character appraisal follows a similar format and all are subject to public consultation before being adopted by the Council.

Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area Map 1: Map of Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area

1 Definition and summary of special interest There are 10 listed buildings – all Grade II – within the boundary:, The Obelisk, The George and Dragon public Introduction house, the Nat West Bank, the War Memorial, the Boars Head public house, the former stables to the Boars Head, St Mary’s The Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area is located in the Church, St Mary’s Church boundary wall and the Yorkshire commercial heart of Leigh and was originally known as Market Bank. Street Conservation Area. It was designated on 24th June 1981. The Conservation Area was extended and re-named The Conservation Area includes the market place and St. as Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area on the 24 January Mary’s Parish Church, which are known to have existed in 1990. The boundary covers an area of 10.36 hectares and is some form since the 12th century. The historic routes running characterised as an historic town centre. north-south and east-west form the framework of the Conservation Area, and their orientation has changed little Photo1: Leigh’s Medieval Market Place 1893, showing throughout the centuries with the street pattern remaining obelisk erected in 1792 by Robert Vernon Atherton largely intact. Gwillym of Atherton Hall The character of Leigh town centre has been influenced by many different factors, from its agricultural beginnings, through industrialisation and more recently the decline of heavy industry in the town. However, despite the antiquity of the settlement, its character derives chiefly from the changes and developments that took place towards the end of the 19th century.

Key characteristics

The Conservation Area is characterised predominantly by Victorian properties dating from 1850 -1900 A key characteristic exhibited throughout the town centre, but more so along Market Street, is the eclectic richness and variety of

2 the architectural style and detail, including neo-classical,  Eclectic architectural styles baroque and Italianate.  The flamboyant use of terracotta ornamentation and detailing Earlier 19th century buildings within the Conservation Area  Grand 3 storey corner buildings tend to be smaller and more domestic in scale. Many exhibit  Dominance of red brick building material Georgian elements in their design, such as stone quoins,  Intricate and lively rooflines hipped roofs and classical features, including pedimented  Slate roofing materials entrances and pillasters. Although the Georgian period ended around 1830, the architectural style persisted well into the Justification for designation Victorian era. The Conservation Area is fairly large in size, and currently High quality buildings from the 20th century are also present, covers an area of 10.36 hectares. It has been characterised providing a contrast to the earlier architectural styles. as a historic town centre. It has a very distinctive character Unfortunately, there are also examples of later 20th century and many grand buildings of notable architectural quality and buildings which do not make such a positive contribution to presence. the townscape. There are many distinctive properties designed by the The buildings on the main thoroughfare are on a grand nationally significant architect JC Prestwich and Sons. commercial scale. These include the Town Hall, the Boars Leigh’s buildings exhibit a considerable range of architectural Head Public House, the National Westminster Bank and styles, remnants of late medieval ‘Gothic’ fabric exist within St Eddisons. Many of these have three storeys and an attic, and Mary’s church tower. Vernacular, or ‘local’ style brick cottages are further heightened by architectural features such as and farm buildings are more plentiful from the 17th century as chimneys and gables, which are a characteristic of later at King Street (the George and Dragon public house). Victorian buildings, substantially increasing their overall scale.

There are many key characteristics which stand out in the Conservation Area and contribute towards it being an area of special architectural and historic importance, including:

 Notable Prestwich buildings

3 In areas developed or redeveloped after 1875 buildings Shopping Centre allowed Bradshawgate to be partially display a number of the fashionable revival styles of the late pedestrianised in 1997. This is beneficial as it alleviates the Victorian and Edwardian periods. These include Gothic pressure of traffic coming through the narrow street, and Revival with pointed arches, Italianate, Renaissance (whether makes for a more relaxed shopping environment. Flemish, Italian or French), Baroque with classical details; Queen Anne, Tudor and Jacobean Vernacular Revival. These Photo 2: Boars Head, Bradshawgate revivals vary in the degree of scholarly approach and details were sometimes freely mixed. More independent styles included Arts and Crafts (1900-1915), Art Nouveau (1890- 1915) with graceful curving lines, and Art Deco (1920s/30s) with clear geometric shapes. Despite the variety of architectural styles, materials and scales in commercial and residential buildings, harmony usually prevails.

Activities and uses

As would be expected in a town centre, the Conservation Area is predominantly commercial in nature. A bustling urban character gives way to quieter areas at the edge. There is a range of public buildings which typify a small market town. These include the town hall, the library, places of worship and leisure/entertainment buildings. Residential properties exist in the more peripheral parts of the Conservation Area and the There are a number of public houses, many of which are side streets display remnants of the smaller scale industries buildings of fine architectural style. One example is the Grade that used to be very common in the town centre, including silk II listed Boar’s Head on Bradshawgate (photo 2), which weaving. existed as early as 1720, although the current building was remodelled in 1891. Retail, is now the main commercial activity, with a mixture of national and independent retailers, particularly along Bradshawgate. The construction of the Spinning Gate

4 Map 2: Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area: Building Uses

5 Map 3: Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area: Age of Buildings

6 Map 4: Key Buildings within Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area

7 A use that only began to appear in the second half of the 19th Map 4: Ordnance Survey Map showing building plots on century is the bank, reflecting the Victorian preoccupation with Bradshawgate commerce and financial success. Banks were intended to Plot sizes and widths vary within the Conservation Area and denote wealth, status and authority; hence their frequent the small, relatively narrow plots of earlier buildings are location at prominent corner sites on important thoroughfares, evident on Bradshawgate. such as what are now the Nat West Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland on Market Street and Barclays Bank on the corner of King Street and Railway Road.

Spatial structure – form and density

The conservation area is urban, with the majority of street frontages being continuously developed as terraces or rows of individual buildings. The variation in building forms and architectural treatments has come about through the development and redevelopment of individual plots over the years, creating a high degree of visual interest.

Map 5: Ordnance Survey Map showing grid iron street pattern around the War Memorial

The distinctive gridiron pattern of straight street lines, and strict geometric blocks of development is particularly evident on Church Street, Silk Street and there are later 19th century properties located around the War Memorial to the north of the town centre.

8 Detailed character analysis

To make the appraisal more manageable, the Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area is divided into three character areas. These should not be taken as rigidly defined, or mutually exclusive in terms of their characteristics. The following character areas have been identified:

1. King Street / Market Street / Market Place / The Avenue/part Railway Road

2. Lord St / War Memorial area

3. Bradshawgate / Queen Street

9 Map 5: Map showing the 3 character areas within Leigh Town Centre Conservation Area

10 Map 6: King Street, Market Street, Market Place and The Avenue /part Railway Road Character Area

11 King Street, Market Street, Market Place, The Avenue/part that it was indeed very narrow at the point where it curved into Railway Road Character Area the market place.

Definition of the character

King Street and Market Street are the principal thoroughfares within the Conservation Area, running more or less north/south from the junction of King Street with Twist Lane northwards through the centre of the town. The Avenue branches off north- eastwards close to the northern edge.

The character of the area is predominantly commercial, with grand 3-storey buildings such as the town Hall, the former Hippodrome Cinema and The Bull’s Head Public House. Market Street, which was the old turnpike road was the chief means of communication with other parts of the region. The presence of the church and market place made this area the focus of community life, the square was a natural gathering place for local people. The obelisk was also the location from which public announcements were made. Photo 3: Market Square, 1950s Market Street was the first area of the town to be developed, as is shown on the maps of 1762, 1825 (Leigh Town Trail) and the Architecturally, the character of the area has evolved through first Ordnance Survey Map of 1847. The map of 1825 shows the the gradual piece-meal development and redevelopment of unbroken frontages around the market place, and the Market individual sites. The scale of buildings increases markedly Street area. These frontages are still evident today and provide between the 17th and 19th centuries. Buildings of the 20th th an insight into the past. In the early 19 century there were century tend to reverse that trend and the average scale begins large areas of undeveloped land to the rear of the buildings. to reduce again. This was gradually developed as demand for space grew. Market Street was widened in or around 1898. Photo 4 shows

12 Photo 4: Market The map of 1890 (Map 6) shows the previous form of the street, Street – prior to with a frontage of Georgian houses and shops and a warren of widening in late courts and yards to the rear. Woolpack Court, for example, was 1890’s the location of a brew house, a slaughter house, stables and four cottages. The Goose pub (Photo 6) (formerly the Spinning Jenny) screens the bus station to a certain extent, but does not achieve the architectural presence or quality of the late Victorian corner buildings, such as Edisons opposite on Twist Lane and the National Westminster Bank on Market Street.

Left, photo 5: Leigh Bus Station

The most prevalent architectural styles in the character area are from the late Below, photo 6: The Victorian period, and particularly from the Goose, Spinning practice of the local architect, James Jenny Way Caldwell Prestwich. Born in Atherton in 1852, Prestwich trained in London, and practiced in Leigh from 1875 until 1930. His sons took over the practice, which continued well into the 20th century.

The townscape has suffered most where frontages and blocks have been cleared to make way for road widening schemes and latterly, open areas have been used for car-parking. Similarly, much of the east side of King Street, from the George and Dragon Inn southwards, was cleared in 1992 to make way for the current bus station, which lies just outside the Conservation Area boundary.

13 Map 7: Map of Leigh Town Centre in 1890

14 Map 8: Map of Leigh Town Centre in 1920

15 Buildings of Townscape Merit This corner also demonstrates the abrupt changes in building scale that occur frequently in the Conservation Area. King Street The Stella Café next door is single storey and approximately half its height. The Leigh Arms (photo 8) is styled in a similar At the southernmost end of King Street is a cluster of pubs vein as Edison’s but is much smaller in scale. Collectively, and clubs including The Goose Inn, Eddisons, The Leigh Arms and Stella Café. On the west side, Eddison’s (photo 7) these three buildings form a striking group. stands on the corner at the junction with Twist Lane.

Previously known as the Eagle and Child, it is a large public house standing at a full three storeys high. Built in 1895, the building displays themes and characteristics that typify the architectural endeavours of the time: strong corner treatment; interest and detailing at the roofline; tall storeys; and highly decorative door surrounds. The most notable feature is the corner chimney, with triangular vertical ribs rising to the height of at least one more storey above the main building.

Photo 7: Edisons on the corner of Twist Lane and Photo 8: The Leigh Arms, King Street Spinning Jenny Way

16 the most expensive materials are used on the most prominent public façade of a building, with lesser materials used elsewhere, in order to save on costs. Surprisingly, however, the elaborate and expensive design of this building is continued on the narrow street to the side of the bank.

Right: photo 10: The Manchester and Liverpool District Bank, King Street

Photo 9: Kingsleigh Methodist Church

On the opposite side of King Street is the Kingsleigh Methodist Church (photo 9). Built in 1974 it is a distinctive modern structure set back from the established building line of the street. Although markedly different in style to its neighbours, it nonetheless works well as an aesthetic contrast. There are grassed areas on three sides with small deciduous trees, providing relief from the densely built up townscape.

The Manchester and Liverpool District Bank (photo 10) on King Street is a flamboyant example of the French Renaissance revival style. Built in 1900, the building demonstrates the use of several materials including granite, sandstone, brick and terracotta. It is generally the case that

17 Below: photo 11: The George and Dragon Public House

Across the road on the eastern side of King Street, the th George and Dragon (photo 11) is a rare survival from the Photo 12: (20 Montague Burton Tailors building next to 17th century and is Grade II listed. It is likely that the building 2-storey Georgian building originated as a farmhouse. The building was recorded as a beer house in 1698. It seems that the original 17th century Adjacent to the north of the George and Dragon is no. 5, King building was re-fronted in the early 20th century with imitation Street which is a three storey Georgian building. Key timber framing. features of Georgian design are: proportion, order and symmetry. Buildings were flat-fronted with plain, undecorated facades and simple rooflines. Sash windows were small paned, and the smaller window openings to the top floor are a typical feature. It is unfortunate that the ground floor of the building has been so radically altered.

18 The building forming the corner with Bradshawgate is a striking 20th century inter-war design for Montague Burton Tailors (photo 12), whose architects developed distinctive, classical and Art Deco façades that were easily recognisable as their premises. The upper façade is classical, with a curved corner supported on two giant fluted columns with deeply recessed windows and giant pilasters to both side façades. The pilasters and columns have highly stylised Corinthian capitals with central palmettos, and a massive cornice finishes the façade. The metal windows are typical of the 1920/30s.

There is a clear progression in scale amongst these three buildings from the diminutive 17th century structure through to the substantially taller 1920s example.

Market Street Photo 13: Site of former Rope and Anchor The streetscape remains very dense along Market Street, although the architectural quality is somewhat marred by the Photo 14: Rope and Anchor in 1900 1960s block on the corner of Bradshawgate, which is not within the Conservation Area boundary. This building is of a plain design, and does not respond well to its context. (photo 13). Unfortunately, it replaced one of Leigh’s finest Victorian corner buildings, the Rope & Anchor Hotel (1897, Prestwich) (photo 13). A section of the building survives on Bradshawgate. It was originally occupied by the Union of London and Smith’s Bank and is now used as an office.

19 The west side of the street, however, boasts arguably the best architecture in the Conservation Area. Designed by Prestwich, the entire block is of considerable quality and interest.

Occupying the corner with Railway Road is the Nat West Bank (photo 16); originally Parr’s Bank and built in 1908. It is a fine building decorated with banded ashlar, with emphatic first-floor window surrounds with large keystones. It is a classical Italian Palazzo design, notable for the splayed corner and decorative details, such as the second floor circular window with arched cornice and carved festoon of fruit.

The Grade II listed Leigh Town Hall (photo 18) is located on Photo 15: Demolition of the Rope and Anchor 1965 Market Place to the north but its side elevation faces Market Street. Built by Prestwich in 1904-1907, the elevation features large gables with massive cornices at both ends, with four giant order pilasters and a small projecting oriel window at the centre. The Town Hall is an example of the Edwardian Baroque style, with classical architectural features used in a monumental manner. It is constructed of Darley Dale sandstone and Westmorland slate, a favoured roofing material of Prestwich. The Market Street elevation of the Town Hall is occupied on the ground floor by a row of nine shops, opening out onto the street. They are separated by massive rusticated piers. Some of the shops retain their original joinery, with fine detailing including classical and Art Nouveau carving. Also of note are the finely turned corner posts, or mullions. Despite the overall proportions of the town hall, the row of shops along Photo 16: Nat West Bank Building, Market Street

20 Market Street interestingly replicate the former older plot sizes, helping to accommodate the mass of the building.

Photo 17: Market Street elevation of Leigh Town Hall

21 Market Place queens were announced there; the populace were called on to support the war against Napoleon; the Town Crier cried out According to Pevsner (1966), the ‘architectural highlight [of the news during the general strike of 1926. At the turn of this Leigh]’ is the old market place (Photos 19 and 20), with the century it was made to serve a dual purpose. Two lamps were church and town hall facing each other across the open attached to it and it became part of the street lighting network space.’ Photo 19: Market Place, 1900 Photo 18: Market Place, with Grade II listed Obelisk

The obelisk was erected in 1762 and has been moved twice, in 1859 and again in 1986. It is thought that the base stones may be from the previous medieval market cross.

The obelisk has been an important feature in Leigh's history. From it announcements were made, even the Riot Act was read there by Squire Withington; the accessions of kings and

22 Below: photo 20: Old Market at Market Square, Leigh 1930s looking from The Avenue towards Market Place (the boundary wall of St. Mary’s visible to the right)

Right above: photo 21: Market Square, Leigh 1950’s

Right below: photo 22: Leigh Obelisk 1970

23 Old market place properties were demolished in order to build plain, forming a plinth to the façade. The first floor forms the the new library and Civic Square. In 1969 the obelisk was main order, framed by two characteristic giant order pilasters. taken down, block by block, and put into storage whilst the The heavy roof cornice completes the composition. Of the building work was done. Over the years it had become seven first floor windows, the two on the left light a committee blackened with soot from the smoke, so the opportunity was room, and the remainder light the Council Chamber. taken to clean the stone work. As the redevelopment work included widening the old St. Mary's Way, it was necessary to put the obelisk back ten yards from its original site.

Photo 24: Turnpike Centre, Market Place

On the west side of the square, the Turnpike Centre (photo Photo 23: Leigh Town Hall 24) constructed in 1971, is a ‘striking’ building with a reinforced concrete frame and prefabricated concrete The front elevation of the Town Hall facing the square is panelled walls. distinctly classical in its composition (photo 23). Apart from the elaborate entrance porch, the ground floor is relatively

24 In the opinion of Pevsner, the building “rather skulks”. Either way it presents a high level of three dimensional interest and texture. The deeply textured relief sculpture above the entrance was by a leading sculptor of the period, William Mitchell. Designed by Prestwich & Sons, it provides a very interesting contrast to the work of Prestwich himself.

Enclosing the square to the north, the Grade II listed St Mary’s Church (photo 25) by Paley and Austin dates mainly from 1873, although the inner structure of the tower survives from 1516 and the outer facing is from 1910. The church has a long, unbroken roof and clerestory. The aisle windows are characteristic of the Gothic Perpendicular style. The entrance has a finely detailed porch with an elaborate niche canopy and statue. The red sandstone is notable for its hammered texture. Photo 25: St Mary’s Parish Church by Paley & Austin

The churchyard provides an important area of open space On the west side of Market Street next to the parish church within the built up area. Trees are also key features in this the supermarket building is unremarkable but at least provides area, helping to soften the landscape and providing a relief to some enclosure at this point. the hard urban surroundings. The aforementioned Boar’s Head (photos 26 and 27) was Earlier Georgian and Victorian properties on Market Place built in 1900. It makes extensive use of highly decorative facing the Civic Square and the Turnpike Centre have been terracotta and is one of most flamboyant buildings in Leigh. lost to clearance over time, and a large surface car park now Decorative gables appear on all three elevations, as do occupies the block. South of the car park the Royal Bank of rounded ground floor windows. The building creates another Scotland and 5 Market Street hint at the street frontage that strong corner feature, a regular characteristic of the previously existed here, and the historic building line is picked Conservation Area. up again by the Boar’s Head Public House to the north.

25 Behind the Boar's Head in Market Street is another Grade II that it could be cleaned and drained easily and yet not be listed buildings, listed for the uniqueness of its historical use. slippery. The stalls themselves had an old type sink made It is one of the few examples left in the country of a double- from earthenware, whilst others had a wooden trough. There decker stable for the horses and carriages from the early days were rings so that a horse could be tethered facing in or out of of the railways. the stall. The only ventilation was by means of glazed windows.

Photo 26: The Boar’s Head, 1890 Photo 27: The Boar’s Head, 2011

The railway working horses had to be near their work and the There is no separate room upstairs for keeping the harness, cab horses and traps had to be ready to meet the trains. The but downstairs there is a small room which could have been a stables in the Boar's Head yard had provision for feeding and harness room, at least for the downstairs horses. There was watering as well as a tack room for equipment and harnesses. room below for carts and coaches. The ground floor stables Access to the upper floor was by means of a wide ramp. were used as stables long after the railway use had gone. There were stalls for eight horses downstairs and twelve upstairs. The floor was of blue tiles or bricks and slotted so

26 The block of buildings northwards beyond the Boar’s Head on mullions are timber, as opposed to the stone mullions that the east side display many typical features of the character appear elsewhere in Leigh area. It is a row of individual buildings abutting the pavement with no gaps and varying heights and rooflines. Although none of the buildings stand out in their own right architecturally, as a group they make a positive contribution to Figure 1: the Conservation Area. Artist’s impression The Avenue of Atherton Hall which The Avenue forks off from Market Street to the north-east. was The first block forms the northern-most tip of the Conservation demolished Area. The map of 1893 (map 11) shows that the entrance to in 1823 The Avenue was considerably wider than the nearby streets at that time, befitting its status as the approach to the grand estate of Atherton Hall.

Houses were built on The Avenue during the extensive development of new residential areas at the end of the 19th century. The north side of the road is characterised by 3 storey buildings, many in a mellow red brick construction.

The houses are set back from the road with small front gardens enclosed by red brick walls with terracotta copings. The two storey dwellings are in red brick with fairly plain roofs, with the exception of the small gables over the first floor windows. The front doors are paired within symmetrical elevations. Only one house, 21 The Avenue (Photo 29), retains its original fenestration, which is the typical multi- paned smaller top sash over the larger plain lower sash. The

27 Map 9: Map of Leigh in 1893 showing The Avenue being wider than it is today

Photo 29: 21, The Avenue, Leigh

Photo 28: Entrance to ‘The Avenue’ from Leigh Road

The Avenue Public House (photo 28) is an important corner building constructed of red brick with which makes a positive contribution to the Conservation Area by virtue of its interesting architectural style with its tall banded ridge chimney stacks, decorative brick gables, sliding sash windows and curved front elevation at the junction of The Avenue and Market Street.

The terraced houses on The Avenue (photos 29 and 30) are late Victorian properties constructed of red brick with slate roofs and box bay windows to the ground floor. Many of the properties are characterised by timber gablets and 21, The Avenue displays original timber fenestration with sliding sashes to the ground and first floor. Photo 30: Terraced houses 19-25, The Avenue

The street trees and private gardens along The Avenue give it a pleasant, leafy sub-urban feel, despite its proximity to the town centre.

Located on Henrietta Street, to the south of The Avenue the chapel and Sunday school buildings form a dense cluster of red-brick buildings with a variety of roof shapes. The buildings are massed well and make a positive contribution right at the edge of the Conservation Area. The chapel is neoclassical in style with decorative stone hoodmoulds, window tracery and a stone pedimented principal entrance.

Photo 31: The Avenue, Leigh, showing street trees

Photo 32: School building on Henrietta Street Photo 33: Chapel and Sunday school buildings

Photo 35: Hippodrome Theatre – ground floor auditorium

Photo 34: The former Hippodrome

The former Grand Theatre & Hippodrome on Leigh Road (1908, J C Prestwich) dominates the corner, and dwarfs the adjacent buildings, displaying a tall façade of red brick and buff terracotta. The Hippodrome Theatre was built on the site of Walker's silk mill of 1827, this subsequently became a cinema, first the Odeon, later the Classic.

Key Views (b) Market Street westwards across Market Place

There are several key views within the character area, each This view from Market Street is along the breadth of one providing different focal points and aspects: Market Place, the civic square enclosed by Leigh Town Hall, the Turnpike Centre and St. Mary’s Church. All three (a) King Street towards Market Street properties are grand in style and form strong building lines on three sides of the square. This view is along the length of King Street, from the southern boundary of the Conservation Area. It includes the northern edge of the area with Barclays Bank, the Nat West Bank and Leigh Town Hall, and terminates towards the Boar’s Head in the distance. These are fine 3- storey buildings within the townscape and provide the main focal point to the east of this view. . Photo 36: View along King Street towards Market Street

Photo 37: View towards Market Place

This view is across Market Street from west to east at the Open Spaces northern edge of the Conservation Area boundary. The view encompasses several fine Victorian buildings There are few open spaces within this character area, the including The Boar’s Head and The Avenue, and the largest being Market Place. It is softened by street trees and tree-lined residential street of The Avenue and beyond into flower planters. It has historically been important as a public the distance. meeting space and markets place.

Focal Points

There are several key focal points within this character area, including key buildings, such as Leigh Town Hall, St Mary’s Church, The Boar’s Head, the Nat West Bank and Barclays Bank along King Street and Market Street. These buildings are fine examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture and represent an array of eclectic architectural styles which punctuate the townscape and are significant structures within the streetscape.

Landscaping

Apart from the civic square at Market Place, there are no other areas in the character area which have been subject to a planned landscaping scheme. The area is relatively dense

in character and apart from the grounds of St Mary’s and the Photo 38: View from Market Place eastwards front gardens to the residential properties on The Avenue, towards The Avenue there is no other landscaping present within this area.

Trees

Trees are important features within the conservation area as they help to soften the urban landscape and add variety to the area. There are several trees in Market Place, the war memorial garden and those adjacent to the George and Dragon public house, which are protected by a Tree Preservation Order.

All trees within the Conservation Area are subject to controls enabling the special character of the area to be protected.

Neutral or negative features

The most negative features affecting the town character area are the bus station at King Street and the 1960s block on

Market Street.

Photo 39: 1960s block on King Street Although these two buildings lie just outside the conservation area, they nonetheless have a negative impact on it due to the The car park close to Market Place detracts from the use of modern construction materials and architectural styles, established character of the Conservation Area. which do not complement nor related well to the fine architectural buildings along King Street and Market Street.

Photo 40: Shop fronts, Town Hall, Market Street Photo 41: Town Hall shops on Market Street, 1970s Unsympathetic replacement shop fronts have eroded the architectural character of the area, for example, the altered shop fronts of the town hall building on Market Street (Photo 40). This is particularly unfortunate as these were designed as a row of matching shops.

35 Public Realm

An important element of the character area is the large civic The grounds of St. Mary’s church (Photo 43) provide a square on Market Street, which is enclosed by the Town Hall, pleasant setting, enclosed by a low stone boundary wall. The the Turnpike Centre and St. Mary’s Parish church. The area is grassed with several mature trees and a path around surfacing is red block paving and is populated by the obelisk the church. in the centre with benches, flower planters, decorative lighting columns, bollards and litter bins. All the street furniture is traditional in design and painted black, and is sympathetic to the character of the area. The expanse of hard landscaping is softened by the presence of street trees, which provide an attractive setting to the historic core of the town centre.

Photo 43: St. Mary’s church and grounds

Photo 42: Street trees on the civic square

36 Railway Road (including Back Salford and Newton Street):

Photo 44: Conservative Club, Railway Road

Westwards the Conservation Area takes in the first section of Railway Road, which only developed beyond Bengal Street after 1893. Off Railway Road, Back Salford Street was built as a residential street for workers in the late 18th century. It was a terrace of small, low two-storey houses with stone slate roofs and horizontal sliding sash windows. Their loss is unfortunate as few examples of weavers’ houses now remain in Leigh. The row was replaced in 1879 (J J Bradshaw) by a grand 3-storey building executed in an eclectic style, and is now the Leigh Conservative Club (photo 44). It was Leigh’s cinema between 1908 and 1963.

37 Map 9: Map showing Lord Street / War Memorial area Character Area

Definition of the Character Area Photos 45, 46 and 47: Grid iron street layout around the war memorial Situated to the east of Market Street, this character area is characterised by the block layout of the late Victorian grid-iron development and is predominantly commercial. Here the squares of development forming the grid layout are intact with several interesting buildings of architectural merit which contribute positively towards the character of the area, including the Post Office, Collins and Darwell Printers and Leigh Catholic Club. The Post Office building is neoclassical in style with hipped roof and a pedimented principal entrance to Lord Street. Collins and Darwell Printers is a red brick part three story building notable for its sliding sash fenestration. Leigh Catholic Club is a red brick (20th building with 6 pane arched fenestration to the first floor. The south frontage of Lord Street has been excluded from the conservation area due to its indifferent architectural quality.

Photo 50: Royal Bank of Scotland building Photo 48: Post Office building, Hope Street

Photo 49 (below): Club, Church Street The dense frontages step gradually down in scale from the tall three-storey Royal Bank of Scotland (photo 50) building on the corner, to the Musketeer pub, at a relatively small two storeys. It is less retail-orientated. The area is characterised by terraced housing; clubs; a church; a post office, and some small-scale industrial premises.

40 Buildings of townscape merit in the Lord Street Memorial twenty horses, with stable boy accommodation and tack Character Area rooms (photo 52). The long stable range fronts onto Church Street, with a shorter service wing at right angles forming an L-shape. The Grade II listed building is constructed of red brick with Accrington brick detailing and a Welsh slate roof. A long ramp with sett surfacing provided animal access to the upper stables. Such buildings were common in densely developed urban areas, with few examples surviving today.

Photo 51: The Musketeer Public House

The Musketeer Public House (photo 51) was formerly a cottage which was converted into a silk receiving warehouse. Here domestic silk weavers obtained yarn for weaving and were paid for their completed products. The 1840 Pennington Rate Book shows that four such warehouses were located between Union Street and Hope Street. Photo 52: Boars Head Stables

On the south side of Church Street is a 2 storey stable block, built adjacent to the Boar’s Head Public House to house

41 Neutral or negative factors

As with Market Street, this sub-area has suffered some loss of streetscape value due to the clearance of buildings to make way for the car park adjacent to the Boar’s Head and stables. However, the buildings which remain make a positive contribution to the character of the area by virtue of their architectural styles, materials and scale.

Within the Conservation Area, unsympathetic alterations such as shop frontages and advertisements detract from the character and appearance of the historic buildings. Unsympathetic infill also dilutes the character of the area. A key example is the modern pub building at 13 Lord Street (photo 54). Set against this, the street form remains intact throughout most of the character area. Photo 53: War Memorial and garden

The Grade II listed War Memorial (1922, Prestwich & Sons)

(photo 53) is a good example of a formally designed green space. It takes up a whole square of the grid pattern in this area. The cenotaph is built in Portland ashlar and the bronze plaques on either side are framed by engaged columns. The layout is fairly simple but is a welcome break in the historically compact built-up area. Photo 54: 13 Lord Street

‘The Litten Tree’

42 Map 10: Map showing the Bradshawgate / Queen Street Character Area

43 Bradshawgate / Queen Street / Railway Road The area beyond was heavily industrialised.

Definition of the character Little development had taken place in the first quarter of the 19th Century, except for a long row of weavers’ cottages and a Bradshawgate is a long, relatively narrow street running east- few other buildings present on the south side beyond Albion west at right angles to King Street and Market Street. Until Street. the end of the 18th century it was known as Windy Mill Lane. At this time the building frontages extended eastwards as far It was not until 1850-1875 that development gathered pace in as Union Street on the north side (one block), and Albion the area. From 1888 onwards, rebuilding occurred on the Street on the south side (two blocks). Albion Street was south side, as far as Albion Street. In 1898 a programme of known historically by the name of a large field to the south, road widening was undertaken which led to rebuilding on the ‘Downcroft’. The Golden Lion Inn was recorded here in 1695; north side near Market Street. The new buildings were taller, it became Leigh’s first theatre in 1770. wider and more elaborate, using gables to heighten their three storey facades. Photo 55 (below): Victorian corner building As a result the architectural character of Bradshawgate changed significantly during the course of the 19th century, corresponding to the changes brought by industrialisation and greater prosperity. There are several examples of the late Victorian principle of emphasis of street corners, as a means of punctuating the linear and geometric layouts they favoured. This principle resulted in a great variation of treatments and rich architectural detailing.

Moving eastwards along Bradshawgate (photo 56), the older character of the area becomes apparent. This can be seen in the smaller scale of buildings and their vernacular architecture.

Buildings of Townscape Merit on Bradshawgate

Photo 56: Shops along Bradshawgate

Remnants of the earlier cottage industries can be found Photo 57: Bradshawgate circa 1910 providing a picture, albeit fragmented, of how Leigh appeared before the industrial revolution. The street retains its finer On Bradshawgate, the influence of the architect J C Prestwich grain of small, narrow plots. A notable exception is the Leigh is palpable. The south side of the street, as far as the Co- Co-operative building, whose footprint is similar in size to operative building, is very much characterised by his work. Leigh Town Hall and the Turnpike Centre. Prestwich’s offices located at 14-18 Bradshawgate were

designed and built for the practice, which remained here until

1989. The three-storey building displays many of Prestwich’s

trademark features: shop fronts are in dark red polished

granite on grey granite plinths; upper storeys are brick banded

with buff stone; continuous pilasters from ground level to the

45 parapet wall and windows are deeply recessed, with the Jacobean, with Queen Anne revival window frames. The left sliding sashes behind the horizontal stone transoms. hand pair has large windows, which are transomed and mullioned throughout. The central sections are pedimented with distinctive scrolls. The terrace of buildings at 54-64 Bradshawgate (1889-1890, Prestwich) is in the Flemish Renaissance style, with a rich, intricate roofline of Dutch gables. Each gable has a sculptured terracotta plaque with urns and plants, including sunflowers, which were favoured under the Queen Anne revival style. Windows are tall and grouped mainly in pairs.

Photo 58: Prestwich’s offices at 14-18 Bradshawgate

The former Bulls Head Hotel located at 20/20a Bradshawgate was an inn as early as 1720. It was rebuilt in 1891 with coach houses and stables for 20 horses at the rear. It had its own brewery and was one of the main places where farmers’ carts were parked on market day. A weighing machine was located outside on the street.

Further along at 34-40 Bradshawgate (built by Prestwich in 1899) (photo 59) is a row of four gabled shops built in two pairs. The gables of the right-hand pair are completely built in buff coal measures sandstone. The style is Arts & Crafts and Photo 59: 34-40 Bradshawgate

Photo 60: 24-28 Bradshawgate Photo 61: The Boulevard Arcade, Bradshawgate

Late 20th century interventions appear in the form of the The Leigh Co-operative building (1899, Prestwich) (photo Superdrug building at 24-28 Bradshawgate (photo 60). Built 62) physically dominates the street, and is one of the largest in the 1980s, this three storey red brick building replicates and grandest commercial building in Leigh town centre by traditional Victorian features, including window openings, virtue of its sheer size and architectural detailing. Another horizontal stone sill courses and stone lintels. Adjacent to the example of the Flemish Renaissance style, the ground floor Superdrug building is the Boulevard Arcade (Photo 55), a cast shop fronts are in stone, and the upper elevations are in iron and glass structure also built in the 1980s, it makes an Ruabon brick and terracotta. Gables occur at each end of the interesting addition to the streetscape. façades, and a corner tower sits on the junction of Bradshawgate and Albion Street. The detailing of each gable and wall below vary, reflecting the eclecticism that was the order of the day in architecture. With a footprint of 127 feet x 113 feet, the building is almost square.

47 although they have unfortunately undergone alteration. The buildings at 9-53 Bradshawgate are more domestic in scale. Due to piecemeal redevelopment over time, much of the rest of this row is unremarkable, with some unsympathetic 20th century infill.

Photo 63: 19 Bradshawgate

Photo 62: Co-op Building, Bradshawgate

The Co-operative Society came about due to the dire state of the silk trade and was registered in 1858. Over time, the 19 Bradshawgate (photo 63) is a small corner building on the society acquired and opened premises in the town. Between corner of Union Street. It has a splayed end and hipped roof, 1865 and 1895, a steady stream of additional shops opened giving recognition and emphasis to the corner. This feature in the town centre. was also used for advertising. The building was originally a house, dating from first half of 19th century. Typical features 9 - 53 Bradshawgate (north side): are: the late Georgian sash windows; the hand-made red bricks, in English Garden Wall Bond; and the deep moulded The north side of Bradshawgate was not as extensively cornice and gutter. redeveloped as the south, and the interest here lies in the buildings that have survived from earlier in the 19th century, Further to the west, 51-53 Bradshawgate (corner of Silk Street) (photo 64) has a distinctive first floor canted oriel

48 window with a canopy roof, which is a later addition to the 100-104 Bradshawgate (photo 65) comprises a low terrace of building. At three storeys, this building is notably higher than small shops which originated prior to 1825 as silk weavers’ its neighbours. cottages. The loom shops were located in cellars accessed via stone steps.

On the corner of Back Market Street is a red-brick building Photo 64: 51-53 dating from 1924 and notable for the Art Deco scalloped fans Bradshawgate in end pediments; the steel windows; and the more unusual arts and crafts inspired first floor window arches built in clay tiles. The Bradford & Bingley Building at 32 Bradshawgate side is very similar in style.

Immediately to the east of the Co-op building, the scale of the street drops considerably. This sudden change of scale is a common characteristic throughout the Conservation Area.

On the corner of Bradshawgate and Brown Street is an attractive group of late Georgian buildings with small paned sash windows on the upper floors. 2 Brown Street (photo Photo 65: 100-104 Bradshawgate 66) has in the centre of the elevation a taking-in door which extends down to floor level, indicating that the two upper floors were the warehouse and winding and warping shop producing muslin, and subsequently silk. This building became the Derby Arms Public House in 1885.

John Hilton the silk agent lived here with his wife and five children but no resident servants. Lawrence Ramsdale an overlooker of silk winders, lived next door with his extended family, which included his son Edward, a silk agent, and two silk winders.

55 - 123 Bradshawgate (north side)

The red sandstone corner bank building (1906, Prestwich & Son) was originally developed to accommodate a gentleman’s club and a number of shops. At only two storeys, this building is less grand than some other examples from this architect. Photo 66: 2 Brown Street However, it still displays key elements such as the splayed corner feature with a heavy stone canted oriel window. Although plain, the roof is of green Westmorland slate. As with many buildings in the Conservation Area, the front and side façades have been treated differently, and the building becomes plainer as we move further from Bradshawgate. However, these buildings generally contribute positively to the Conservation Area.

Photo 68 (left): HSBC Bank on Bradshawgate

Photo 67: 1930 2 Brown Street which was John Hilton’s House

50 Photo 69 (below): The former Globe Inn, Bradshawgate The terrace of white rendered 3-storey buildings at 99-101 Bradshawgate is a particularly unfortunate example of how The former Globe piecemeal alterations have eroded the character of these Inn Public House historic buildings. Dating from c.1870, they have lost the (photo 69) was built small paned windows, chimneys, historic roof materials and in 1854. This historic shop fronts. All of the frontages have been rendered, property has disguising the character of the brick façades. recently been altered and is now a retail premises. Many of its original features have been lost through alteration, including characteristic late Georgian style sash windows to the first floor, which have been replaced by upvc.

Photo 71: 111-113 Bradshawgate

An interesting terrace of earlier houses is to be found at 111113 Bradshawgate (photo 71). These two-storey Photo 70: The dwellings were built in the 1870s, again in the later Georgian former Globe tradition. They originally had small gardens in front, but these Inn were built over by the row of single-storey shops in the early (undergoing redevelopment)

51 1900s. Although the shop fronts are modern, the parapet wall above is a typical early 20th century feature.

The former Lilford Hotel at 115-123 Bradshawgate (photo 72) is an earlier design of Prestwich in the Gothic Revival. The hotel originally had domestic-type ground floor windows and the modern shop fronts detract from the character of this rather fine building. However, it makes a very interesting contrast with the plainer Georgian style buildings opposite on Brown Street. Behind the hotel, on Bedford Street, is Lilford Cottage, an attractive double-fronted dwelling built mainly in common bricks. Stepped projecting bricks form corbels at eaves level and small, ornate gables with arts and crafts patterning punctuate the roof. Photos 73: Lilford Hotel, 115-123 Bradshawgate 2011

Photo 72 (below): Former Lilford Hotel, Bradshawgate The Jackson’s Lilford Brewery buildings (photos 74, 75 & 76), built in 1895 and Grade II listed, are located in the yard to the north of Lilford Cottage and contribute positively to the character of the Conservation Area through their architectural detailing. Notable features are the blue brick details, especially those alternating with red bricks in the segmental arches above the windows and doors, and the tall doorway on the second floor which forms the taking-in door. The internal construction of the building incorporated floors made of concrete on steel girders, which was a precaution against fire. The two former brewery buildings are on the Council’s Local Buildings’ at Risk Register and are currently unoccupied premises and provide development opportunities for town centre uses.

52 Western end of Bradshawgate

Photos 74, 75and 76: Former Jackson’s Lilford Brewery Photo 77: Queen Street towards Bradshawgate, 1967 and Derby Brewery (right and below) The western end of the Conservation Area comprises Queen Street, Back Queen Street, Princess Street and Lord Street South.

Photo 78: Queen Street shops

Industrial uses are more prevalent to the western end of On Back Queen Street, the former Derby Brewery building Bradshawgate, including Travis and Perkins Timber and forms a striking piece of streetscape. With its main block Building Supplies premises on Lord Street South. A row of standing at five storeys high it towers over the surrounding modest terraced houses are located on Princess Street, terraces. Traditional breweries relied on gravity to assist adjacent to the estate agents on the corner. On Queen passage between the various stages and processes of Street, there are a number of businesses including a brewing and so towers are a characteristic feature. This is a hairdresser and a jeweller. Although altered, these terraces notable example, its height emphasised by the attached single make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area in terms storey building on Brown Street. of their scale, massing and remaining historic features. Leigh Jewellery, (photo 78) for example, retains a traditional shop To the right of the tower along Back Queen Street, is a long front, original window openings and a decorative brick cornice. two storey building typical of brewery stables, and coopers workshops; where timber was stored and prepared for the manufacture of barrels. The view of Back Queen Street from Princess Street is very interesting, with a range of different building masses and shapes and an attractive lane with stone setts, one of few left in Leigh.

Photo 78: Queen Street shops

Neutral or negative factors In 1986, the concrete flags in the market place were replaced with clay brick pavoirs in contrasting shades of red and There are many examples along Bradshawgate of charcoal. This public space would be further enhanced by a unsympathetic modern infill, for example, the Iceland building more sensitive design and re-surfacing in higher quality on the south side opposite Bedford Street. Of the remaining natural materials. historic buildings, many of the earlier examples have suffered badly from the loss of architectural features and historic Photo 79: Bradshawgate – pavement surface treatment materials. The painting over of brick façades also erodes the character of the area, as red brick is a strong unifying feature throughout the Conservation Area and town.

The main shopping street displays a proliferation of poor replacement shop fronts and signage, with unsympathetic sizing, poor materials, inappropriate colours and graphics, box signage, internal illumination, external roller shutters and shutter boxes. In some cases the historic shop front fabric has been covered over rather than removed.

Vacancy is a problem, particularly affecting the premises further east, away from the principal shopping area, and often the upper floors of otherwise occupied buildings.

Public realm On Bradshawgate extensive resurfacing was carried out in the

later 1980s and part of the street was pedestrianised. Within There are few examples of surviving historic floorscape in the the pedestrianised area there is no difference in levels town centre. Instead there is a range of different surface between the ‘road’ and the ‘footpath’. The footpath is surfaced treatments from the late 20th century. In the peripheral areas, in grey concrete flags with a narrow band of small clay blocks a common surfacing is plain tarmac with concrete kerbing. inlaid into the pavement to assist partially sighted people, and Red or buff tactile paving is used at crossings.

55 a band of blue-black setts forming the ‘kerb’. The road areas  Grand 3 storey corner buildings are laid with small reddish setts. Seating has been provided  Dominance of red brick building material on areas that are built out from the pavement.  Intricate and lively rooflines  High quality mix of (18th , (19th and (20th buildings which In the Market Street area and along Bradshawgate, the street make a positive contribution to the townscape lights include round lamps hanging from fairly elaborate  Ornate stone and stucco detailing on buildings, brackets of modern design. Aesthetically, these are particularly along Market Street successful and they respond well to the scale of the streets.  Slate roofing materials Elsewhere in the Conservation Area the more utilitarian ‘hockey stick’ style of lamp-post predominates.

The high level of street clutter detracts from the quality of the architecture. It includes, traffic signs, traffic lights, CCTV camera poles and bus stop poles; bollards and guard rails.

Although there are some negative/neutral features, including inappropriate alterations/additions to buildings, for example within the Conservation Area as outlined above, there are many key characteristics which stand out in the Conservation Area. These, collectively, contribute towards it being an area of special architectural and historic importance, and include the following:

 Notable Prestwich buildings  10 Grade II listed properties  Medieval origins  Eclectic architectural styles  The flamboyant use of terracotta ornamentation and detailing

56 Opportunities

Opportunities for Enhancement Boundary Changes

The following list is drawn from the neutral and negative During the reappraisal of the Conservation Area, the current factors highlighted in the appraisal. It identifies areas and boundary was examined. At this point in time it is proposed methods by which the qualities providing the special interest that no amendments are made to the boundary. of the Conservation Area can be preserved and enhanced. Conservation Area boundary review  Proposals for new signage, particularly to shop fronts need to be carefully considered to ensure that they do The existing boundary is drawn quite tightly around properties not have a detrimental impact on the character and which make a positive contribution towards the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. appearance of the Conservation Area. Leigh Town Centre is a fairly densely built up area and characterised predominantly  There is little opportunity within the Conservation Area by commercial properties exhibiting a wide range and variety for future infill development. Should proposals be put of architectural styles and key landmark buildings designed by forward for any future development, care must be taken J C Prestwich. to ensure it is sympathetic and that it does not have a detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

 The full use of premises, encouraging sensitive conversions, would help to secure the future of the historic fabric. An issue within the town centre is vacant upper floor space above retail premises. The former brewery buildings on Back Queen Street present an excellent development opportunity for conversion to appropriate town centre uses.

Bibliography

Wigan Council Statement of Community Involvement (2006) National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012) www.communities.gov.uk Wigan Council Shop Front Design Guide (2005)

English Heritage (2010) PPS5 Practice Guide www.english-heritage.org.uk

English Heritage (2011) Understanding Place: Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management

Leigh History: www.leighlife.com

Greater Manchester Sites and Monuments Record

Pevsner. N & Pollard. R (2006): Buildings of England: Lancashire, Liverpool & the South West

Wigan Council Unitary Development Plan (2006)

58 Glossary of Terms Cornice: The top course of a wall or architectural member (such as a doorcase) which is sometimes moulded and/or Ancient Monument: "Any building, structure or work, whether projects from the wall. above or below the surface of the land, and any cave or excavation" or any site comprising the remains of such things Dutch gable: this term describes any gable which is curved. or comprising any "vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other movable structure or part thereof." A scheduled monument is any Eclectic: Architecture that combines elements and monument included in the schedule to the act. characteristics of a wide range of historic styles.

th th Arts and Crafts: Late 19 and early 20 Century architectural Edwardian: Is the style popular when King Edward VII was in style cased on the revival of traditional crafts (such as power; he reigned from 1901 to 1910, but the architecture style is generally considered to be indicative of the years 1901 carpentry, glassmaking etc) and natural materials. to 1914. Bay Window: A window which projects on the outside of a building. A canted bay window has a flat front and angled Façade: The face of a building, especially the principal face. sides. Fenestration: The layout of windows on an elevation. Cladding: a non load bearing or structural protective skin on a building, the purpose of which is to help keep the building Flemish Renaissance Style: is an all-encompassing wind and watertight. designation that covers many 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Grecian nor Gothic but which Classic architecture: Aesthetic attitudes and principles instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicizing manifested in the art, architecture, and literature of ancient Italian modes. Greece and Rome and characterized by emphasis on form, simplicity, proportion and restraint. Georgian: name given to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. Conservation Area: An area of special architectural interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to Italianate: A style of architecture which is an English preserve or enhance. romanticism of Italian architecture. Typical features are tall,

59 often round-headed openings; shallow pitch, frequently hipped Plinth: A block or slab on which a pedestal, column, or statue roofs to give the appearance of there being a flat roof. is placed.

th Jacobean: Victorian revival of the grand, sumptuous style Queen Anne Revival: A late Victorian revival of an 18 which appeared in the early 1600s. It is typified by Dutch century style influenced by the tall ornate houses of Dutch gables, mullioned windows, and ornate stonework. merchants. The style is typified by irregular and unsymmetrical facades and prominent gables. Listed Building: A building included on a list of buildings of architectural or historic interest, compiled by the Secretary of Quoin: The stone blocks on the outside corner of a building State. Listing covers any structure or erection or any part of a which are usually differentiated from the adjoining walls by building, or any building or structure falling within the curtilage material, texture, colour, size or projection. of a listed building and dating prior to 1948. Listed buildings are divided into three categories: I, II* & II in England. Render: A term used to describe any durable, protective coating applied to an external wall. Renders are not intended Mullion: A vertical member, as of stone or wood, dividing a to be decorative as such, and should not be confused with window or other opening. plasters such as stucco which are applied with the intention of imitating stone. Neo-classical: A revival in the 18th and 19th centuries in architecture and art, especially in the decorative arts, Ruabon Bricks: Red bricks produced by the Dennis Ruabon characterized by order, symmetry, and simplicity of style. Tile Factory in Wrexham.

Oriel: A bay window which projects from an upper floor only, Setts: Square blocks, usually of granite, forming a street normally carried on corbels. surface. Setts were set on edge, close together, and they tapered slightly towards the bottom. Sides were never quite Parapet: A wall which rises above another structure such as a smooth, and laying them to achieve a tight joint, is a very roof or terrace. skilful business.

Pillaster: The flat version of a column, consisting of a slim Sill: The horizontal feature at the bottom of a window or door rectangle projecting from a wall. Often used on shop which throws water away from the face of a building. frontages.

60 Stone String or Stringcourse: A shallow (usually stone) moulding continued across a whole facade which may be defined by its position e.g. sill or impost course.

Terracotta: A hard semi-fired waterproof ceramic clay used in pottery and building.

Transom: A horizontal bar of stone or wood which separates a window from a window below it or a fanlight from a door opening.

Tree Preservation Order: A direction made by a local authority which makes it an offence to cut, top, lop, uproot or wilfully damage a tree without first obtaining the permission of the local authority.

Vernacular: An indigenous building constructed of locally available materials, to local detail, usually without the benefit of an architect.

Victorian: Refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century.

61 Contacts

Conservation & Design Team Greater Manchester Archaeological Advisory Service Planning Policy Section School of the Built Environment Places Directorate, University of Salford Wigan Council Joule House PO Box 100 1 Acton Square Wigan Salford WN1 3DS M5 4NW Tel: 0161 295 5522 Tel: 01942 489233

Published June 2012