Corporation Park Conservation Area

Supplementary Planning Document

August 2014

Part 1 Conservation Area Appraisal

Contents: Part 1 Conservation Area Appraisal.

1. Introduction.

2. Location and setting.

3. Historical Development and archaeology.

4. Character and relationship of Spaces.

5. Key views and vistas.

6. Contribution made by Green Spaces to the Character of the Area.

7. Historic buildings and features.

8. Prevalent and Traditional Building Materials

9. Extent of Intrusion and Damage.

10. Boundary Review.

11. Community Involvement.

Figure 1 map of Conservation Area 4

Figure 2 Aerial view of Corporation Park Area 5

1. Introduction.

The Corporation Park Conservation Area was designated in 1975, and Corporation Park 2 was designated as a separate Conservation Area in 1990. Both areas are combined here in one appraisal and referred to as the Corporation Park Conservation Area. The Corporation Park Conservation Area lies northwest of Blackburn town centre, on the north side of Preston New Road and covers approximately 18ha? The Conservation Area is focused upon Corporation Park itself which is an English Heritage designated Park and Garden of Special Historic Interest, and the surrounding high quality residential area which developed on its fringe in the mid-late C19th. The principal streets within the Conservation Area are West Park Road and East Park Road, Dukes Brow to the west and Shear Bank Road to the east. The extent of the area is shown on the map Fig 1.

1.2 Conservation Area Status

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires local planning authorities to determine which parts of their jurisdiction merit conservation area status. Section 69 of the Act defines conservation areas as: ‘ Areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.’ The special character of a conservation area is usually derived from a combination of features which include individual statutory listed buildings, historic street patterns, views and vistas, traditional building materials and areas of open space and greenery. The designation of a conservation area demonstrates a commitment by the local planning authority to protect and enhance the special character.

Conservation area status is not intended to stifle new development nor preserve as museum pieces, in fact conservation areas should evolve to meet changing demands. Local Planning Authorities are however legally obliged to ensure that the special architectural and historic characters of their conservation areas are not eroded when taking planning and development control decisions. They are assisted in this obligation by additional controls that are afforded to them by conservation area status. These are:

• Planning Permission is required for the demolition of buildings or structures (with certain exemptions) within conservation areas.

• Planning permission may be required for certain changes to buildings that would normally be permitted elsewhere. Changes requiring permission include cladding a building, erecting a satellite dish in a visible location, and material changes to commercial buildings. This list is not exhaustive and it is advisable to contact the Planning Authority prior to carrying out works on a property within the Conservation Area.

• All trees within a conservation area are protected and some trees have Tree Preservation Orders. Works to trees within a conservation area require consent from the Council. This enables the contribution that the tree makes to the character of the area to be assessed.

1.3 Planning Policy

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how they are expected to be applied. The Council is required to prepare a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment in their Local Plan. In doing so should take into account the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation; the wider social, cultural, economic, and environmental benefits that the conservation of the historic environment can bring; the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness; and opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of place. When considering the impact of a proposed development Local Planning Authorities should weigh the harm or loss to significance against the public benefits of a proposal (policies 133 and 134, NPPF). Policy 141 of the NPPF requires Local Planning Authorities to make information about the significance of the historic environment publicly accessible. Publishing this character appraisal will comply with this requirement.

The Core Strategy for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is the Local Strategic Planning Policy Document for the Borough and requires in Policy CS17 for new development to identify and take opportunities to integrate and promote the Borough’s cultural assets. More detailed policies relevant to development management decisions are set out in the saved policies from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Local Plan, and the Local Plan Part 2 Publication draft.

Saved policies from the Local Plan are;

• Policy HD 11 Development in and adjacent to conservation areas. • Policy HD12 Alterations to unlisted buildings in conservation areas. • Policy HD 13 Alterations to listed buildings. • Policy HD14 Demolition of listed and unlisted buildings in conservation areas.

Policy 39 is the relevant policy in the Local Plan Part 2 Publication draft. On Development affecting Heritage Assets and sets out how the Council will manage change affecting the historic environment. The policies can be viewed on the Council’s web site www.blackburn.gov.uk.

2.0 Location and Setting.

2.1 The area is laid out on rising land north west of Blackburn Town Centre and extends to the ridge marked by Revidge Road to the North. The land rises gradually from the entrance and the park itself is laid on sloping ground generally falling from northwest to southeast. The Park itself has an irregular outline defined by the surrounding roads of Park Crescent and West Park Road to the west, Brantfell Road and East Park Road to the East. Rear boundaries of properties along Revidge Road form the northern boundary to the Conservation Area, and rear boundaries of properties on the south side of Preston New Road form the southern boundary.

The area is predominantly residential comprising detached and semi-detached properties set in large plots with terraced properties to the fringes of the area. The Park forms a large central area of open, landscaped area with a narrow main entrance at the southern end, and broadens out to nearly extend across the full width of the conservation area at its northern end.

There are seven listed buildings within the Conservation Area, other than the park itself which is Grade II* designated Park and Garden. There are many unlisted buildings within the area which are historically and architecturally significant. The mature landscape and ancillary structures such as distinctive boundary walls are also of significance. The most dominant building is the grand entrance to the park which creates an important gateway to the area. The rising topography within the park and the conservation area gives rise to significant views across the whole of the town and beyond.

Figure 3 Entrance to Corporation Park 8

3. Historical Development and Archaeology.

3.1 Pre industrial.

The town of Blackburn was developed around the site of the Cathedral, and along the line of the existing Roman Road from Manchester to Ribchester. There is no known Roman settlement at Blackburn. Throughout the medieval period and beyond Blackburn was the administrative centre of the huge ‘hundred’ of Blackburn which extended across east Lancashire from the edge of Preston to the Yorkshire border.

Prior to the development of Corporation Park, the area was a sloping site on the east side of Billinge Hill, which was depicted as an area of irregular fields, wooded cloughs and a reservoir of the Blackburn Water Works. On the East side was a collection of buildings at Shear Bank. To the west was a lane Dukes Brow running northwest towards Revidge Four Lane Ends.

By the seventeenth century a number of folds existed in the area including Old Bank Fold whose principal building is Bank House which is said to be the oldest house in Blackburn and dates from the early seventeenth century. It was from here that during the Civil War the royalist Sir Gilbert Hoghton ineffectually bombarded the town using a small cannon around Christmas 1642. There is a plaque that commemorates this event on the gate post of the house at Adelaide Terrace. Blackburn was noted for textiles by 1750 and thereafter expanded rapidly with the growth in the cotton industry. Infrastructure was a key contributor to the expansion of Blackburn, including the turnpike roads, canals and railways. The turnpike roads were superseded in the early seventeenth century by new roads with easier gradients one of which was Preston New Road which ran from Preston through Salmesbury to Blackburn. The development of this new road facilitated development west of the Town.

Figure 4 Red Rake represents an early farming fold prior to the construction of the park. 9

Figure 5 Map of Blackburn 1849. 10

Figure 6 View from the battery when the Park first opened. Note how little developed the area was and the dominance of mill chimneys in the background.

3.2 Nineteenth Century Development.

The steep terrain from the top of Montague Street to Beardwood was mostly open terrain still by 1850 and the area was punctuated by quarries, individual homes and farms of cottages forming isolated cottages. This was all to change in the coming 100 years. The homes of the wealthy industrialists who had sought solitude in the area were to be surrounded and then supplanted by those of their managers and workmen and their housing which remains there today. The process began with the creation of Corporation Park.

The land was acquired by the Blackburn Corporation from Lord of the Manor Joseph Feilden, who had reserved it for public use. An area of 50 acres was sold to the Corporation for £65 per acre with a condition of the contract being that the roads were made on either side, namely East and West Park Roads. The Park was opened in 1857, with a grand entrance off Preston New Road created in the form of a triumphal arch and lodges on East Park and West Park Road. The old reservoirs were made into ornamental lakes, terraces and carriageways were built, fountains installed and two Crimean war cannon were installed at the top of the hill. The opening of the park was a very grand affair attended by many thousands of citizens and much celebration and ceremony.

From the mid nineteenth century the area surrounding the Park became the focus of high class residential development. Prior to this the upper and mercantile classes resided in the Georgian terraces along Richmond Terrace and King Street. Prestigious housing development was concentrated along East and West Park Road, and Dukes Brow was also subsumed. Some of the building had commenced prior to the Park opening as is indicated by a date stone of 1856 on Park View Crescent opposite the Park entrance. A lithographic view of the Park in 1857 (Fig 4) demonstrates that development had only began to encroach beyond the town centre into the fields beyond, the view being dominated by mill chimneys.

An area of land which had been part of Red Rake farm was added to the northern end of the park shortly after the initial opening. This extension was used for a playground, a bowling green being constructed later as work for the unemployed. The Broad walk was laid out in the 1860s as part of the improvements undertaken by unemployed operatives, and forms the main axis of the park layout. Here on Sundays crowds of young men and maidens would walk four or five abreast, promenading from end to end between 3’oclock and 4.30.

Villas for the well to do, were scaled down copies of the mansions further out of town, with sweeping drives and landscaped gardens to complement the villas. The typical middle class villa was set back from the road with its own carriage drive, with twelve to fifteen rooms, some of which accommodated servants. The area benefited from the advent of tram travel in 1886 which would take passengers to Billinge End. By the end of the nineteenth century nearly all the former farms and cottages had been eradicated on the Brow and replaced by the new terraces of the respectable artisans or new houses of the lower middle class. The original names such as ‘The Dingle’ were replaced by streets bearing the names of such figures as Queen Adelaide (hence

Adelaide Terrace) consort to William IV in the 1830s, Princess Alexandra who married the future Edward VII in 1863 or Victorian statesmen such as Granville or Cranbourne.

By the 1880s there was an urgent need for more schools in the area. ‘Edmundson’s Academy’ with nearly 100 pupils expanded to its rear into the adjoining low building now used by Queen Elizabeth Grammar school. The Grammar school moved from premises in Freckleton Street to new premises in West Park Road which still is the nucleus of the school today. A number of small private schools also flourished including one ‘All Springs’ in Dukes Brow and a Methodist Sunday school at Dukes Hall on Alexandra Road.

Where school children had their work adults had their play and opportunities arose for this at East Lancashire cricket club which opened in Alexandra Meadows in 1863 and the Bowling Club on Shear Bank Road in 1867. For those less able to stump up the fee for such clubs, a more leisurely time could be had having a drink in any of the public houses that had sprung up in the area, to name a few the Dog Inn (Revidge Road), Alexandra Hotel on Dukes Brow, the Quarryman’s Arms also on Dukes Brow and the Gibraltar. Churches also sprang up though many are just outside the Conservation Area such as The Baptist Church in Leamington Road which was erected in 1893. The rapid expansion of the area in the few decades following the creation of the Park was remarkable and is clearly seen in the 1890 map in figure 7.

Figure 7 Bandstand in the park erected 1880

Figure 8 Map of Conservation Area 1890

3.3 Twentieth century to present day.

Further expansion of the area continued and the development of streets such as Brantfell Road was completed in the early twentieth century with its unique stepped highway. The Grammar school on West Park Road continued to expand and occupies many of the former villas along the West Park Road with some modern infill sections. Further development of the Park continued, the Conservatory was opened in 1900 and 10 new tennis courts were laid out in 1924 on the land adjacent to Revidge Road.

The late twentieth century saw little physical change which was largely a result in the decline of the textile industry. The Aviary next to the conservatory was erected in 1950.

Figure 9 Brantell Rd and its stepped highway.

There have been some small scale infill housing developments from the middle of the century, and the development of Barbara Castle Way to the south of the area cut through former terraces and businesses. Many of the villas especially along Preston New Road have more recently been converted to offices and or have been subdivided in to flats or bedsit homes. There has been significant investment in the Park itself in the twenty first century with a Heritage Lottery Grant to enhance its environment in 2004 and included the clearance of woodland and scrub, the restoration of terraces, walks and landscape features.

Figure 10 New Development in Park Crescent.

Figure 11 Townscape analysis map

4.0 Character and relationship to spaces.

The centre piece of the Conservation Area is undoubtedly the Park which forms a distinctive landscape setting to the streets surrounding it. It also dominates vistas from outside the conservation area. The prevailing townscape character of the area is of nineteenth century villas set in landscaped grounds bordering serpentine roads flanked by stone boundary walls as characterised by East and West Park, and Shear Brow. There are however variations to this predominant townscape characteristic and some distinct character areas are described below and shown on the map at the end of this section.

4.1 Character Areas.

1. Revidge Road.

This linear road at the northern edge of the Conservation Area has panoramic views across the park and is lined by red brick and stone terraces dating from the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Revidge Road forms the spine road to this area with the Park boundary on its southern side. Along its length are also clusters of earlier stone cottages which represent the former farming folds that existed prior to the development of the Park such as Red Rake. These are modest rows of two story cottages which contrast with the more elegant later larger terraces with stone window bays. The terraces are set back from the footway with small front gardens and dwarf boundary wall, the larger terraces have stone bay windows.

Figure 12 Terraces along Revidge Road

2. Brantfell Road.

This street was laid in the early twentieth century and is characterised by a stepped row of terraced properties descending down a steep slope on the eastern edge of the Park. The section of road that meets Revidge Road descends the slope in a series of stone shallow steps, 60 in total to accommodate the significant change in level resulting in a unique townscape character. Two storey red brick terraced houses front onto the eastern boundary of the Park. Dwarf front boundary walls enclose small front gardens, complemented by projecting bay ground floor windows that overlook the park. The original setted highway still remains today.

Figure 13 Brantfell Rd and its steps. 17

3. Mid Nineteenth century Villa development area.

This area forms the larger portion of the Conservation Area and includes the streets flanking the Park boundaries. This area includes East and West Park Road, and Shear Bank Road which are serpentine streets fronted by large detached stone and brick mid nineteenth century villas, interspersed with semi-detached properties. The dominant aspect is the mature landscape, tree lined roads, and only glimpses of the villas can be gained through gateposts and up sweeping drives. The villas and their gardens complement the setting of the Park and were developed at the same time as the Park. The serpentine roads climb steeply and afford views of Blackburn to the south. High stone walls flank many of the streets and contribute to the secluded suburban character. Dwellings are in the main detached or semi- detached set back from the road, behind stone boundary walls. Villa styles have classical and gothic influences such as the elegant gabled roof forms of the stone built Franciscan Figure 14 Typical villa in the area. Convent formerly Stoneleigh on East Park Road to the more modest semi-detached villas of Dukes Brow and Adelaide terrace.

Figure 15 Shear Bank House on Lilford Road.

4. Corporation Park 2, Preston New Road.

This section of the Conservation Area has a more urban feel and was designated as a separate area which formed the Corporation Park 2 Conservation Area. Plots are predominantly long and narrow and comprise- semi-detached buildings or groups of three. The buildings are set towards the front of the long deep plots with rear gardens behind. Landscape elements are less pronounced and many properties have been converted to offices or subdivided with garden areas being given over to hard standing. Styles vary but are mostly redbrick three storey buildings, with steeply gabled roofs. Front elevations have vertically proportioned window openings and projecting bays. Red brick or stone boundary walls with railings and gate posts form an attractive edge to the street.

Figure 16 Group of properties ,Preston New Rd.

5. Wellington Street St John.

This portion of the Conservation Area comprises two storey red brick nineteenth century terraces. There is a more urban character to this section of the Conservation Area, plots are narrow with small front areas or buildings fronting directly onto the footway. Property styles have classical references with stone dressings and columned entrances. Many of the properties have been converted to offices. Some of the terraced properties on the East side have square bays to the font and a dentil cornice, pitched roofs step up the slope. There is a small of group of early nineteenth century stone cottages along Limerick Rd on the eastern edge of the Conservation Area.

Figure 17 View north along Wellington Street St John. 19

6. Corporation Park.

The Park is the centre piece of the Conservation Area and has its own character as a significant public space comprising winding paths, lakes and fountains. From the arch at the principal entrance the main drive leads northwards up through a steep sided valley. A stream, broken with falls and pools forms a feature along the ornamentally planted western bank. The drive leads below the substantial dam of the main lake passing a little cascade over a rockery. Adjacent to this fall stands a statue of Flora by Thomas Allen of Liverpool. The main lake known as the big Can covers 1Ha has an irregular outline with a small island. It was formed from a pre-existing reservoir, Pemberton Clough created in 1772. To the west of the lake lies a second smaller piece of water with two islands and a restored fountain at its centre. Figure 18 View east along the d lk At the heart of the Park the drive forks, the western branch leading west along the Park and swinging round to the west end of the Broad Walk, the eastern branch leading between the two ponds then serpentining north eastwards to join with the east end of the Walk. The Broad Walk laid out in the 1860s at the northern end of the Park forms the main axis of the Park layout on higher land and from here there are panoramic views across the wider area, across the town and beyond to the hills to the south. A row of lime trees mark the southern end of the Walk. To the north walks cut into the rock lead between rocky outcrops up the steeply sloping ground to the top level of the Park. Figure 19 The main lake in Corporation Park.

The main path leads in front of an underground reservoir, the embankment of which juts into the northern end of the Park, to a stone built battery. This viewing platform stands 213.5 m above sea level which allows views of the Town below. The Park has one of 4 regional panopticans here. To the east a path leads from the Revidge Road entrance, tennis courts can be found here, terraced into the hillside. A further set of hard tennis courts lie below the eastern end of the Broad Walk above the three bowling greens.

Figure 20 Statue of Flora 20

Figure 21 Map showing character areas.

5.0 Key Views and Vistas

The mature trees and landscape along most routes within the Conservation Area generally obscure views especially when trees are in full foliage, however by virtue of the steeply rising topography there are glimpsed views of the distant hills and the town through openings in the canopy such as at the junction with Lilford Road and Shear Bank Road. The most important views are from high ground in the Park as along the Broad Walk, the view point at the battery, and from Revidge Road. The view of the Corporation Park Conservatory within the Park is also significant as it forms a focus along the main footpath northwards in the Park and can also be viewed from West Park Road. The main arched gateway to the Park on Preston New Road has a dominant presence in the Street and can be viewed from east and west approaches along Preston New Road.

Figure 22 View along Broadwalk (left), Along Preston New Rd (middle) and from steps down from Broadwalk in the Park (right).

6.0 Contribution made to the Character of the Area by Green spaces.

The generous gardens which are a characteristic of the area provide an opportunity for mature trees to emerge as dominant features in the Conservation Area and combined with the Park landscape give the area a wooded semi-rural character. The penetration of open space afforded by recreational spaces such as the East Lancashire cricket club on West Park Road opens out the townscape with a large expanse of green, and can be glimpsed through openings in the boundary walls.

The Bowling club on Shear Bank Road is also another formal space which is also enclosed by high walls but also opens out the townscape and affords views to buildings on higher ground beyond.

Sweeping drives, shrubs border and lawns are common elements of the Conservation Area that give the sense of an exclusive setting. The arrangement of dwellings accommodating setbacks from the street have allowed for gardens and mature landscape to dominate the street scene. The large walled front and side garden area to the Franciscan convent at the junction of West Park Road and Lilford Road is of particular note and provides an attractive landscape setting to this part of the area and the building.

Figure 23 Shear Bank Road Bowling Green and clubhouse.

7.0 Historic Buildings and Features.

There are seven listed buildings in the Conservation Area which are described below. There are also many individual buildings and groups of buildings which make a positive contribution to the area, the most notable are also described in the subsequent section. The Park itself is a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden. The heritage assets map of significance identifies the buildings from low to high significance, villa buildings constructed at the same period as the park generally have high to medium significance, listed building have the highest significance.

Bank House, 8 Adelaide Terrace. (map ref 1)

Bank House is a two storey stone cottage which probably dates from the seventeenth century as one of the window panes has a date of 1744. The front elevation has stone mullioned windows and a two storeyed centre gabled porch, with balls, and a round arched entrance. The wing at the rear is of constructed of old handmade brick with sash windows and a projecting chimney. Immediately in front of the house is a small garden with an eighteenth century fountain called the ‘spewing laddie’ consisting of a square stone column topped by a small naked boy blowing the water jet, a circular stone basin with urns, and 2 standing stone statues of Orpheus with a Lyre and Eurydice in chains. The building predates the opening of the Park and is one of few surviving buildings from the pre-industrial period. Figure 24

Entrance Gateway and Flanking Lodges, South Entrance, Corporation Park. (2)

The main entrance to the Park on Preston New Road is in the form of a triumphal arch built in 1855, and constructed in ashlar stone. The central tall round arch has fine mouldings flanked with by 2 tiers of smaller round arches. The arch is crowned by a rich cornice and the pediment ornamented by the Corporation coat of arms. The two small lodges at each side have round arched windows in pairs. It is a grand statement piece of architecture reflecting the wealthy aspirations of the Corporation when the Park was created .The entrance dominates this side of Preston New Road. Figure 25

Conservatory at West End of Park. (3)

On the northwest side of the Park is a large conservatory constructed of cast iron and erected in 1902. It replaced a former glass house that proved to be too small due to the popularity of viewing rare blooms in the nineteenth century. The chosen design was by Lockerbie and Wilkinson of Birmingham and comprises a central rectangular house, gabled at both ends with a clock in the pediment. The iron is richly ornamented with arches, pierced spandrels and columns. Lower flanking wings have curved ends. The building is a good example of a Victorian Conservatory.

Figure 26 42-46 Preston New Road (4).

This is a short terrace of three Victorian town houses constructed of red brick in the palazzo style, with stone dressings. They have hipped slate roof with eaves on deep stone brackets, rising as round arches over 4 half-dormers. The centre house is larger and slightly projecting, with a centre round-arched doorway in a shallow porch, and single round-arched sash window above; flanking double round-arched sashes on each floor, and 2 half-dormers at eaves level. Nos 42 and 46 are symmetrically placed at each side, with similar doorways and one double round- arched sash on each floor, and one half-dormer. A rear wing at each end is set back from front facade. The buildings represent a dignified and unified composition, relatively unaltered. The front area has a circular drive with a central shrubbery feature giving the buildings a landscape setting from the road.

Figure 27

Figure 28 Heritage Significance.

Unlisted Buildings of Note. The special character provided by the conservation area’s listed buildings and features is further enhanced by the numerous unlisted buildings, yet historically and or architecturally interesting buildings. These buildings are considered to be notable and make a positive contribution to the conservation area and include many of the detached and semi-detached villas. A few have been selected and described below:

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, QEGS, West Park Road.(5)

The main school building fronts West Park Road and is constructed in stone, was built in the 1880s. The school itself was granted a charter in 1567 and was first sited next to the parish church in Blackburn. The present site was acquired in the nineteenth century and included Horncliffe an Italianate mid C19th house and subsequently the main school building was developed in 1882-4 by Frederick Robinson of Derby in the Elizabethan style. The building is characterised by gables at roof level, a large perpendicular east window and stained glass windows to main hall. The principal window shows Elizabeth I granting the Charter to the school.

Figure 29 QEGS main building West Park Rd. Claremont house, Lilford Road. (6)

A large villa in the Italianate style built in the mid nineteenth century in red brick with stone ornamentation. The main entrance would have originally fronted East Park Road, and comprises a front stone porch flanked with ionic stone columns and two storey bays. The roof is hipped with stone slates finished at the eaves with a moulded stone cornice. The property was the home of Richard Coddington, a mill owner. The building has been extended and converted into apartments with much of the grounds accommodating car parking accessed from Lilford Road. The front of the plot has been developed into modern apartments.

Figure 30 Entrance elevation Claremont House

Franciscan Convent and coach house, East Park Road. (7)

At the junction of East Park Road and Shear Bank is a large stone house built in the gothic style, of mid to late nineteenth century date. The building is set back from West Park Road with a sweeping drive to the portico entrance. The roof is characterised by gables with ornate eaves details and turreted two storey bay windows on the south side. Windows are timber sliding sash with arched heads. The Coach house to the rear is also on a grand scale, gabled at both ends, with projecting half dormers to roof and topped by a pyramidal wind vane. The building was formerly a villa in the name of ‘Stoneleigh’ and the home of Mr James Hargreaves. The building is one of the few stone villas in the area which is virtually unaltered and has grounds which are relatively intact. It represents a good example of the grand villa in the gothic style built for the emerging Figure 31 Front Elevation Francisca Convent. mercantile class in the nineteenth century.

Shear bank House, Lilford Road. (8)

A two storey stone built detached house fronting Lilford Road, with its side boundary to Shear Bank Road. It has a modest frontage with a projecting porch flanked by single storey bays. The building is set within substantial grounds and may have formed part of an earlier farming complex that was later subsumed by the mid nineteenth century villa developments.

Figure 32 Shear Bank House The Coach House, Shear Bank Road.(9)

This single storey building is set at right angles to Shear Bank Road and was formerly the coaching house to Claremont House. It is the largest surviving coaching house in the area and has a long linear footprint set at right angles to Shear Bank Road with nine arched carriageway openings to the front elevation topped by a stone parapet. It has been converted into a children’s nursery and the former coaching doors have been replaced with modern windows. It is a good example of a large coach house which served the mercantile wealthy classes.

Figure 33 Coach House view from Shear Bank Rd 28

Netherleigh and Edgerton Shear Bank Road.(10)

A pair of semi-detached dwellings of late nineteenth century origin fronting Shear Bank Road and designed in an eclectic style with timbered gables, towering chimneys and stone window details. The houses are elevated from the road with sweeping drives and lawned front areas. They are a good example of the Arts and Craft style influences on wealthy residences which seek to emulate the grander mansions of the aristocracy.

Figure 34 Netherleigh and Edgerton

Gate Houses and Gates East and West Park Road.(11 and 12)

The gate house lodges at the East and West Park Road Entrances were constructed in 1857 and are similar but not identical stone built part single storey buildings. The buildings are good examples of gate houses designed in the gothic style and have gabled projecting bays and steeply pitched projecting porches to front with recessed entrances. Roof at East Park Lodge has fish tail slate detailing. The gate piers are substantial stone gate posts with dental detailing and large profiled stone head. Ornamental cast iron gates complement the gate posts. The gate houses were built as dwellings for park employees.

The Bowling Club, Shear Bank Road.(13) Figure 35 East Park Lodge Set behind high stone boundary walls at the junction of Shear Bank Road and Clarence St is a bowling green and single storey club house built in 1867. The site was gifted to the bowling club by Lord Fielden and moved to this site in the nineteenth century from its original site along St Peters Street. The Bowling club is a long low building set behind the bowling green to the rear of the site, and characterised by arched window openings with small panes, and a fish tail slate pattern to the roof. It is a good example of a recreational facility which was serving the emerging wealthy residents of this growing nineteenth century wealthy area.

29 Figure 36 Shear Bank Bowling Club.

66 Preston New Road (14)

A three storey stone built town house opposite the junction of Preston New Road with Montague Street. It is an elegant property built in the classical style with a columned front entrance portico. It is distinctly Georgian in character and predates the creation of the Park. The site was formerly known as Lower Bank as it lies on lower ground than Bank House and would have formed part of Bank Fold. The front elevation is constructed of smooth ashlar stone, and is three window bays wide with sliding sash windows to all three floors. Railings enclose the small front area.

Figure 37 66 Preston New Road

Nursery building Corporation Park (15) Originally built as a tea house between the wars, it then became an open air school due to the prevalence of TB. It is an elegant free style Pavilion form with double height space and clerestory lights sited on elevated ground. Has had some additions and infilling and is presently used as a nursery school.

Figure 38 Nursery building

Red Rake Tennis Pavilion (16) Corporation Park. The Tennis Pavilion was built at the same time as the tennis courts were laid out in 1924. It is an eclectic mix of styles, partly neo-classical elements and arts and crafts garden architectural style. It is located on a steep terrace and comprise a steel framed structure with stone cladding to corners and timber coverings to intermediate columns. A green slated hipped roof covers the tennis kiosk at upper level. The building is presently vacant and in a poor condition.

Figure 39 Tennis Pavilion 30

8.0 Prevalent and traditional building materials and the public realm.

Materials.

The majority of the buildings have been constructed in a red brick with stone dressings. The earlier villas have a red brick with a rich warm colour and variety of bonded constructions. Later nineteenth century buildings have a darker red brick or an Accrington engineered brick. Isolated stone built properties have used a buff yellow sandstone or a sandstone grit. The surface has either been tooled, or dressed and is regularly coursed. A warm sandstone is a common feature to window surrounds and on bays. It is also used to accentuate gutters and eaves. Segmental brick arches to windows are also prevalent. On some early twentieth century properties there can be found mock timbering and render such as at Netherleigh on East Park Road.

Figure 40 Red brick property

Windows.

Window openings and styles vary throughout the area and are important decorative features. The prevalent style are in the main square headed or arched with timber sliding sashes, some have been replaced with UPVC. The openings have a vertical proportion and sashes are split in the main in to two panes. Openings are quite often paired as on QEGS and dressed in stone, window bays are also a prevalent feature. Dormers feature on some buildings.

Figure 41 An original window 31

Roofs and chimneys.

Roofs are pitched and predominantly constructed in a blue grey slate and characterised by steep gables especially to front and side elevations. Tall chimney stacks are prevalent and often exaggerated and are either in red brick or stone with glazed clay chimney pots of varying styles. Ornamental timber fascias are a feature of gabled elevations and decoration is also common to the eaves and gutters.

Rooflines add visual interest and gable ends of dwellings can be glimpsed through the trees and can be dominant features on elevated sites.

Figure 39 tall stone chimney stack Boundaries.

Stone and brick boundaries abound in the Conservation Area, with a scattering of original railings. Shear Brow is lined on much of its length with a stone boundary wall constructed from a rough textured grit stone but random coursed stone boundaries also prevail as on Dukes Brow. In some cases these may have formed former field boundaries. Gate posts of varying styles are a very distinctive element of the Conservation Area, the most significant are to the East and West entrances of the Park. Gate posts to properties often have the original house name engraved on them and can be very ornate. Many of the original cast iron and wrought iron railings have been lost. The railings around the park itself have been restored and reinstated and are characterised by a spear head detail. The ornate entrance gates to the park entrances have also been restored and are very distinctive incorporating the coat of arms.

Figure 40 Stone gate post

Street furniture

Footways would have been stone flagged and roads surfaced in granite setts. There are some stone flagged pavements in the area, but many have been tarmacked over. Setted streets are also evident such as can be found on Brantfell Road and Hope Terrace and are characterised by large granite setts. There are traditional style modern lamp posts in the area. Original surface treatments should be retained where possible or reinstated.

Ancillary Building features. Figure 41 Setted street Brantfell Rd Coach houses and conservatories would have been attached or erected within the grounds of the large wealthy houses. Carriage ownership was part of the affluent middle class lifestyle and houses and stables would thus have been very important and essential ancillary buildings to the larger houses in the area. Very few original conservatories survive today but are an important feature and should be retained if they are original.

A number of Coach houses are scattered within the grounds of the larger properties in the Conservation Area or have become separate dwellings in their own right. The largest is on Shear Bank Road, and formerly the coach house to Claremont House with numerous stone built arched bays for the carriages. At Beechwood there is a small red brick two storey coach house facing Shear Bank Road with a circular

Figure 42 Coach House window and double width carriage opening. Other coach houses are constructed either of stone or brick built double or single width with slate pitched roofs. A coach house within the QEGs site includes a carriage house, stable and hayloft survive with some original fittings. 33

Landscape Features and trees.

Trees within the conservation area are protected by conservation area designation and in the Corporation Park Conservation Area make a very important visual contribution. There are also numerous individual and group Tree Preservation Orders throughout the area where trees have also been specifically protected for their landscape value to the area and are sited within the front and rear garden areas of properties . Mixed tree groups soften the built up character of the area.

Within the Park itself there are formal and informal clusters of trees, all are significant to the character of the park. The most significant formal arrangements are the row of lime trees marking the southern edge of the Broad Walk and to the south of this a line of pine trees define Pine walk.

The streets are dominated by mature trees and shrubs, set within the generous front gardens of the plots and at the edges of the Park, and contribute to the leafy wooded landscape character of the area. From long distance views the tree canopy is the dominant visual characteristic that defines this area apart from the built up areas of surrounding terraced streets.

Figure 43 East Park Road

9.0 The extent of intrusion or damage. A number of large buildings have a negative impact on the conservation area. The derelict former YMCA building on Clarence Street and mosque in Wellington Street St Johns Street are inappropriate in terms of their scale, design and materials. These buildings have a horizontal emphasis with flat roofs and a large footprint. Many gardens have been given over to tarmac for car parking which detract from the setting of individual buildings and cars dominate the spaces.

Figure 44 Mosque Wellington Street St John

9.1 Key issues and pressures are:

• Loss of architectural features such as fenestration.

• Garden areas given over to parking.

• Changes of use and sub-division of properties into small units.

• Infill of gap sites by new development of inappropriate scale and design.

• Alterations and extensions inappropriate in terms of design, scale and materials.

• Proliferation of Signage?

• Poor maintenance of buildings.

• Loss of trees and landscape features. 35

9.2 Opportunities

It will be necessary to address issues and threats in order to secure the Conservation Area’s long term Character and viability as an important heritage asset. There is opportunity to:

• Address existing buildings which erode character and quality.

• Prevent the threat of unsympathetic development.

• Prevent the gradual erosion of special character.

• Encourage the reuse of vacant buildings.

• Protect key views and vistas.

• Enhance public realm with appropriate materials.

• Promote appropriate techniques of repair.

• Reduce dominance of in curtilage car parking.

• Enhance the interpretation of the historic interest in the area.

• Minimise the sub-division of properties.

• Promote appropriate landscape management.

10. Boundary Review.

10.1 Corporation Park 2 Conservation Area is a separate designation and includes properties on the south side of Preston New Road fronting onto the Park. This area has many similarities to the wider Corporation Park Conservation Area and can create confusion as a separate designation. It is proposed to combine both areas as one single Corporation Park Conservation Area designation to give greater clarity when making development management decisions and to promote consistent decision making. The status of properties would not be altered as a result of this change.

Figure 45 Pair of Semi-detached villas Preston New Road.

11. Community Consultation.

The residents and amenity societies were consulted by letter on May 2nd 2014 and invited to comment on the draft documents. A small display was also exhibited at the Corporation Park Gatehouse. In total twenty two responses were received and a summary table of comments has been produced in Appendix 2. The majority of respondents were fully supportive of the documents, and in favour of additional controls to avoid the incremental erosion of character of the conservation area.

References.

‘Blackburn’ A History by Derek Beattie. 2007 Carnegie

‘Blackburn A photographic History of your Town ‘; by Alan Duckworth 2002.

‘The New Corporation Park in 1857, Blackburn Times 25th July 1935.

Lancashire North, The Buildings or England; Clare Hartwell and Nikolas Pevsner 2009

Corporation Park 1857-2007 www.cottontown.

Contact.

Jackie Whelan

Strategic Planning Section,

Regeneration Department

Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Corporation Park Conservation Area. Part 2 Management Plan & Guidelines for Development

12.0 Introduction

Under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 Local Planning Authorities have a statutory duty to designate as a conservation Area any area of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ whose character or appearance is considered worthy of preservation or enhancement.

As such conservation area designation is the primary means by which Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council can safeguard valued distinctive places that help to define the individual historical, architectural and cultural identity of its communities. However designation alone will not secure the preservation and enhancement of these areas and active management is vital to ensure that they can adapt and develop in a positive way.

This report is called a ‘management plan’ and it has been produced in line with English Heritage Guidance. The primary aims are to:

• Provide the basis for the proactive management of the Corporation Park Conservation Area by informing future Council policy and decision making services for the next 5 years. • Act as a material consideration in the determination of applications for planning permission and Conservation Area consent. • Full fill the Councils statutory duty in regard to section 71 and section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. • Illustrate the Councils commitment to the provisions in the National Planning Policy Framework. • Support the development of the future local planning policy and the emerging Development Plan Document for the Local Development Framework.

12.2 National and Local Planning Policy Guidance.

When determining applications within the Conservation Area the Council will have regard to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, which provides the principal legislative policy base for the conservation of the historic environment and to the historic environment policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

12.3 Local policies

The Core Strategy 2011 is the established plan for the Borough and saved policies from the Local Plan are directly relevant to the preservation and enhancement of listed buildings and conservation areas. The relevant policies are;

• Policy HD11 Development in and adjacent to conservation areas • Policy HD 12 Alterations to unlisted buildings in conservation areas. • Policy HD 13 Alterations to listed buildings • Policy HD14 Demolition of listed and demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas.

12.4 Local Development Framework

The Core strategy of the LDF was adopted in 2010. It will be followed by a suite of documents which will include specific policies to promote and manage change.

13.0 Implications of Conservation Area Status.

Conservation area status is not intended to stifle new development nor preserve areas as museum pieces but rather conservation areas should evolve to meet changing demands. The Council however, is legally obliged to ensure that the special architectural and historic characters of their conservation areas are not eroded when taking planning and development control decisions. In addition to the above statutory obligation extra publicity must be given to planning applications affecting conservation areas by advertising in the local newspaper (s.73 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Conservation Area Consent is also required for the demolition of most buildings in a conservation area over 115 cubic metres. Trees are also protected within conservation areas and when carrying works to trees the Council should be consulted There are also more restrictions on the display of advertisements than elsewhere.

The Council or Secretary of State may be able to take steps to ensure that a building in a conservation area is kept is good repair through the use of urgent work notices and Amenity of land Notices (s54 and s76 of TCPA (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The Council is expected to adopt appropriate policies and commit adequate resources to support these statutory duties.

The Council should also ensure that local communities are informed about the implications of conservation area designation to encourage the collective benefits of conservation area designation by those who live, work and build in them. It is important that owners, residents and developers are well informed of the qualities of the conservation area and understand the need to take a contextual view of development proposals and not in isolation.

Some degree of change is inevitable in conservation areas and the issue is often not whether change should happen but how it is carried out. Owners and residents should employ skilled advisers when preparing development proposals to ensure that change is sympathetic to the character of the Conservation Area. The Council is one useful source of advice as are amenity societies and stakeholders.

Figure 46 Development in rear gardens, Adelaide T

13.1 Permitted development

Planning permission is usually required for material changes to buildings and changes of use. However there is permitted development to dwelling houses for some works of alteration, and extension and these works can be found on the Planning Portal Web site (include web site) There are more restrictions in conservation areas and it is advisable to contact the Local Planning Authority before commencing any works of development. Article 4 directions can be applied by the Council to remove permitted development rights and it is also worth checking if additional restrictions apply.

13.2 The Registered Park.

Corporation Park is a registered historic park on the National Register of Parks and Gardens and has been designated Grade II*. There are no extra controls on development within registered parks but there is a duty on the Local Authority to consult the Garden History Society when applications are submitted for development within the Park and to have regard on the conservation of the significance of the Heritage Asset.

14.0 Issues

The character appraisal for the Corporation Park Conservation Area identified a number of issues which detract from and/or are threatening to harm the town centres historical and architectural character and its important features.

• Buildings of little architectural merit mostly on later infill sites. • Changes of use from residential and associated impacts. • Unsympathetic development. • Inappropriate features and loss of architectural details. • Gradual erosion of special character. • Vacant and underused buildings. • Poor quality or inappropriate public realm. • Dominance of in curtilage parking. • Loss of trees and landscape features. • Subdivision of properties.

Figure 47 Original Windows replaced with inappropriate styles.

15.0 Opportunities for Protection and Enhancement.

15.1 Threats from changes of use.

A significant pressure on the Conservation Area is the change of use of residential properties to other uses such as offices, apartments or homes in multiple occupation and pressure. Changes of use can give rise to inappropriate alterations on buildings and increased pressure for parking within the curtilages. There is an article 4 Direction within this area which removes permitted development to convert small dwellings into houses in multiple occupation. Applications for changes of use to sub divide buildings should only be permitted where there is no unacceptable harm to the building and the conservation area. Principles in relation to this issue are set out in the Development Guidelines Section 6. The Council will continue to monitor changes of use will and how harm arising from them can be minimised.

Action: Harm arising from sub-division of properties and changes of use to be resisted and accord with principles set out in section 6.0 on Development Guidelines.

15.2 New development to be of sympathetic design and appropriate to the site context.

There have been a number of recent developments which have been constructed with little regard to the special historical and architectural character of Corporation Park Conservation Area. Careful consideration will need to be given to the treatment height, scale, massing form and quality of all future development, alterations and extensions within and adjoining the town’s conservation area. In particular a number of gap sites following the demolition of buildings visually undermine the special character and where opportunity arises to develop them the Council will only encourage the highest quality schemes. The development guide at the end of this section provides guidance on how new development can respond positively to the historic setting and fully accord with planning policy.

Action: Ensure that all new development within the Conservation Area will preserve and enhance the appearance of the Conservation Area have regard to principles in the development guidelines in the following sections.

15.3 Additional Control

Planning permission is usually required for alterations and extensions to buildings, although dwellings have some permitted development rights in conservation areas for certain works. These works include changes to doors, windows, roof materials and constructions of minor extensions. Given that the area is characterised by residential dwellings many alterations can be carried out without planning permission and can undermine the quality of the

area, such as loss of boundary walls, loss of original windows, and inappropriate extensions. It would thereby be beneficial to the area if additional controls were put in place in the form of an Article 4(2) direction to control works to frontages of building fronting the highway and ensure that changes are carried out in a sympathetic manner.

Action: It is recommended that the Council considers the application of an article 4 direction for alterations to dwellings within the conservation area to remove permitted development rights for minor works.

15.4 Dominance of parking within plots

The change of use of properties into offices or subdivision into apartments or bedsits can give rise to garden areas being taken over by car parking. This is more prevalent on properties on the south side of Preston New Road. Former garden areas have been covered with tarmac resulting in significant loss of landscape character and loss of boundary features. It is considered appropriate to reduce the visual impact of parking and it is recommended to resist proposals which have an adverse impact on landscape character and to ensure that developments are accompanied by an appropriate landscape scheme that reduces the dominance of car parking.

Action: Resist proposals that might require extensive hard surfacing of the garden areas from car parking and ensure that developments are supported by an appropriate landscape design.

Figure 48 front garden parking 15.5 Vacant and underused buildings.

There are a number of buildings that are vacant or deteriorating such as the listed conservatory in the Park, the tennis Pavilion,the former YMCA building on Clarence Street and The Corporation Park Hotel on Revidge Road. It will be important to engage with owners or public funding bodies to secure the reuse of empty buildings, and ensure buildings are maintained. There is scope to relook at the bid for the conservatory and resubmit in the next round of Heritage Lottery funding to secure the restoration of the Corporation Park Listed Conservatory.

Action: Contribute and support a bid to Heritage Lottery for the restoration and reuse of the Conservatory in Corporation Park.

15.6 Compliance and Monitoring.

The incremental erosion of character from inappropriate alterations is a significant threat to the Corporation Park Conservation Area. Effective monitoring and compliance is required to maintain standards and reduce harmful impacts form unauthorised works. Carrying out a photographic audit of the Conservation Area to form a baseline record for measuring change and a proactive enforcement strategy be adopted would be desirable. The council should also take steps to make use of Repairs Notices , Urgent Works Notices and Amenity of Land notices where applicable.

Action: Explore feasibility of carrying out a photographic audit of the area and adopt proactive enforcement strategy

15.7 Maintenance.

To ensure that buildings and spaces which currently contribute to the areas special interest, character and appearance are sustained in the future it will be necessary to create awareness of appropriate and regular maintenance regimes. Guidance on maintenance could be distributed or posted on the Council website for owners to access and could be launched seasonally to remind owners of the need to prepare for the winter months. Litter can also blight the area and the Council will seek to ensure that measures are in place to keep the area litter free and fly tipping is enforced against on empty sites.

Action: Raise awareness of the importance of regular maintenance and adopting appropriate repair techniques.

15.8 Public Realm and green spaces.

The Character Appraisal identified that only small elements of original floorscape, such as granite kerbs, paving slabs and grit stone setts surviving within isolated areas of the Conservation Area. There are also a few traditional lamp posts in the area. Retaining historic features within the public realm gives streets individuality and helps create a sense of place. Public realm works should generally have regard to the historic context of the area, and retain historic features where possible. There are also a number of important green spaces and in particular the public park is a valued recreational facility, retaining these spaces in good condition is essential to the character of the area. Figure 49 Original granite setts in Hope Street.

Action: The Council will seek to ensure that existing green spaces for recreational uses are retained and maintained in a good condition.

Action: The Council will seek to ensure that any surviving historic streetscape features are retained and any future highway works will bring a positive improvement to the character and appearance of the Conservation area.

15.9 Promotion and Engagement.

Engaging with the Local Community and key stakeholders to enable them to understand Corporation Park Conservation Area’s past and the value of its future is vital to secure a more sustainable approach to conservation area management. Through education and promotional events greater understanding of the value of the historic environment in securing sustainable growth can lead to increased sense of civic pride and stewardship. Regular events in collaboration with historic societies and schools should be considered to ensure that a lasting legacy is maintained and the promotion of a Blue Plaque scheme that signals the important persons that lived in the area. The council will explore options for improved communication.

Action: Explore opportunities for improving communication and promoting the heritage significance of the area, and liaise with educational establishments and historic societies to raise awareness of the area’s heritage.

Figure 50 Blue Plaque on property commemorates a historical association.

16.0 Development Guidelines

This section is intended to guide proposals for development within the area. Particular regard should be had to preserve or enhance the character of the Conservation Area as set out in Section 69 of the Planning (Listed building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out Government Policy on the historic environment and identifies Conservation Areas as designated assets. The relevant policies are: 133,134,137. Saved policies in the Local Plan HD 11-14 are also relevant and emerging policy 39 of the Local Plan part 2 (draft publication). Details of the policies can be found on the councils web site www.blackburn.gov.uk.

16.1 New Development

The Conservation area is unlikely to accommodate any other than the occasional infill development and extensions or alterations to properties. New development will be expected to comply with National and Local Planning Policies and should be accompanied by a Heritage Statement that assesses the impact of the development on the character of the Conservation Area and its significance. New development will be required to conserve or make a positive contribution to the character of the area.

As the area is characterised in the main by Victorian villas set in large landscaped plots and important consideration will be to retain the open landscape character of the area. More specific design responses will be required to reflect the distinctive characteristics of each character area as set out in 6.2 below. The following general principles will apply.

Figure 51 New Development Shear Bank Rd.

• The development should be of a high standard of design that makes a positive contribution to the character of the area. • Where buildings have a negative impact on the Conservation Area new development will be encouraged where it will enhance the character and setting of the conservation area. • Innovative design will be encouraged that respects the historic context. • Scale massing proportions and height of new development should be consistent with the existing built environment. • Layout, boundary treatments and landscape elements will be expected to make a visual reference to those found traditionally in the area. • External materials and finishes on new development within or affecting the setting of the Conservation Area should match the prevalent building materials and details. Where modern materials are proposed these should harmonise with the colours and textures of the built heritage. • Some alteration and enlargement to existing buildings may be possible, but should not over dominate the existing building or the site. • New development should respect the scale, proportions detailing and materials of the existing buildings. • The development must not lead to loss of open space or landscape features that contribute to the character of the area. • Particular regard should be had to the retention of trees within the area. • The development should preserve important views and vistas within, into and out of the area. • The development should not result in a dominance of parking within the curtilage.

Figure 52 An example of a new development, with steeply pitched gable features,

Stone ornamentation and tall vertical proportioned windows sympathetic to the character of the area.

16.2 Character areas.

New development should be designed with regard to local context and in particular to the distinctive characteristics of each of the character areas. Proposals which cause unacceptable harm to the character and or appearance of an area or to visual impact of historic buildings views or landmarks will not be permitted.

Figure 53 Brantfell Rd and its distinctive steps. 16.3 Architectural details

The Conservation Area’s rich architectural heritage, is reflected in the quality and diversity of the built fabric. The preservation of traditional architectural details contributes to the special interest of the area and adds interest to the street scene. Some key elements are outlined below:

• Roof profiles are fundamental to the architectural character of a building or group and contribute greatly to the character of the area. Alterations at roof level can have significant impact on individual buildings and the wider context and should be avoided. • Chimney Stacks and pots form striking features when seen against the skyline. Replacement, or removal of chimney stacks or pots will be discouraged. • Windows and doors are crucial to establishing the character of a buildings elevation. Original doors and windows including their detailing, materials and method of opening make a significant contribution to the character of the Conservation Area. Where wholesale replacement is required then they should match the originals in terms of glazing pattern, style, proportions, materials and method of opening. Figure 54 Original features such as windows and stone • Doors and their surrounds can be the most elaborately detailed element of the facades and should details. be retained, and only replaced if they are in a very poor condition and beyond repair. Replacement doors should match the original design.

16.4 Materials.

Characteristic building materials such as red brick, grit stone and natural grey slate are an important factor in contributing to the quality and interest of the Conservation Area and gives texture and visual interest to individual buildings.

New developments will be expected to adopt natural building materials of similar texture and coursing that is characteristic to the sub character area.

Figure 55 Red brick is the prevalent building material

16.5 Local Townscape details

The loss of private planting, the removal of boundary walls and railings, and introduction of car parking into garden areas can all adversely affect the character of the area and will not generally be acceptable where permission is required.

16.6 Demolition

Demolition of buildings that make a positive contribution to the character of the area and are of high or medium significance will not normally be permitted other than in very exceptional circumstances that comply with National and Local Policies.

50 Figure 56 Original spear head railings.

16.7 Historic Park.

Permission will not be granted for development that would cause harm to significance of the historic park. Regard should be had to the setting of the Park and the enhancement and preservation of features, groups of trees and important views.

Figure 57 View of the Park from Boardwalk.

16.8 Trees .

Trees are an important feature of the area and contribute to the leafy landscape character of the Corporation Park Conservation Area. Trees in garden areas help to soften and add interest in the street scene. Trees in conservation areas are protected and advice should be sought from the Arboricultural Officer of the Council prior to carrying out works or fell a tree. Many groups and individual trees are also protected by Tree Preservation Orders. Developments should be designed to allow for the retention of existing trees, any loss of trees is to be resisted, or where unavoidable be replaced by an appropriate replacement tree. Regard should be had to saved policy HD8 in the Local Plan.

Figure 58 East Park Road is dominated by mature trees and landscape features along its length.

Appendix 1.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Supplementary Planning Document: Corporation Park Conservation Area Appraisal, Management Plan and Development Guidelines.

Statement under the Town and Country Planning, (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012: Regulation 12

Introduction

This statement sets out the information required by Regulation 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 relating to Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs).

Regulation 12(a) requires local planning authorities to prepare a statement setting out:

i) who has been consulted during preparation of the SPD ii) the main issues raised by the consultees iii) how these issues have been addressed in the SPD

Regulation 12(b) requires that this statement is made available when the draft SPD is published for consultation. i. The persons the local planning authority consulted when preparing the supplementary planning document

The Council is carrying a Conservation Area Appraisal, Management Plan, and Development Guidelines to be adopted as SPD.

The draft SPD invited the following Stakeholders to inform the preparation of the SPD;

• English Heritage. • County Archaeologist, Lancashire County council. • Blackburn History Society • Margaret Keighley, Park Manager. • Victorian Society. • Garden History Society • Lancashire Gardens Trust.

53 ii. A summary of the main issues raised by those persons

• A meeting was arranged with the chair of the Blackburn History Society Ray Smith who gave some historical background to the area and expressed an interest in pursuing a blue plaque scheme for the area and preparing heritage trails. • Margaret Keighley the Park Manager expressed an interest in pursuing a heritage lottery bid to restore the Conservatory in the Park. • Comments were not received from the other stakeholders.

iii. How those issues have been addressed in the supplementary planning document

The SPD contains information relating to the two areas identified above.

• The promotion of a Blue Plaque scheme is set out in section 9.5 of the Management Plan as raised by the Blackburn History Society. • Supporting and contributing to a Heritage Lottery bid for the restoration of the Conservatory in the Park is a key Action in Section 5.5 of the Management Plan.

Planning Policy

Regeneration Department

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

January 2013

Appendix 2 Summary table of Representations to Public Consultation

Consultee Summary of Representation Comment

1. Rita Kay Supportive of all the documents to protect area Noted from future spoilage.

Agree with combining two areas.

Support additional controls

2 Lesley Agree with points made in documents raised There is ongoing enforcement and discussions concerning Stephenson concern re inappropriate alterations to 48 Preston unauthorised works at 48 Preston New Road. New Road.

3 Claudia Lowe Agree with Q1,2 &3 on consultation leaflet. Support Noted

4 Sarah Gill Has recently moved into the area for its Victorian Noted comment on alleyways and explore scope to show as architecture, hidden lanes, trees and greenery. historically significant on Heritage Significance Plan.

Interested in how the area can enhance quality of With reference to contractors the Council cannot recommend life, the hilly character of the area has enhanced contractors. her own cardiovascular health. Would like to promote greater use of alleyways. Would like to see park promoted as an exercise venue for students at Blackburn College and use of conservatory as an indoor space in bad weather. Should promote better links to golf course either side of Revidge Road.

Agrees to points1-3 and suggests providing details

of contractors to replace original front doors and bay windows.

5 Jamie Fisher Agrees with Q 1,2&3 Support Noted.

Attention given to trees and Garden areas in Reference to Litter to be included under maintenance section of Brantfell Rd area. Management Plan.

Concern over litter and maintenance especially steps to Brantfell Road.

6. Shirley No mention of listed Victorian Pavilion and Wc Reference to Pavilion to be included in Appraisal document. Fitzmaurice facilities adjacent to tennis courts as in poor state of repair and not fit for purpose. Should be brought back to standard so they can be used fully.

7. Salim Hafeji Agrees with combining two conservation areas and Support Noted content of documents. Specific details will form part of a separate consultation once More specific detail as to what additional controls these have been agreed. on alterations to properties and what about properties that have been already been altered.

8. Janet Piper Agrees with Q1,2 & 3 Support noted

Pleased to see that empty properties are going to be brought back into use.

9. Rona Courtney Agrees with Q 1 & 2 Support Noted

Would support additional controls in the form of;

(a) Observing preservation of trees, green

space and garden frontages. (b) Ensuring preservation of characteristic stone retaining and boundary walls in the area. New buildings in the conservation area should be designed to fit with the character of the area as regards size, exterior treatment and landscaping.

10. J M Clunas Support Q 1,2 and 3. Support noted.

Concern re trees being cut down, and loss of boundary walls, and gateposts and poor workmanship.

Support photographic record.

Loss of original stone flags in many areas and setts may remain under tarmacadam.

11. Deirdre Allen Supports Q 1,2 and 3. Support noted

12. Ray Smith Supports proposals in the draft document and Support noted especially additional controls.

13 Peter Clegg Yes to Q1,2 and 3. Support noted

14 Carol Donnelly In support of joining two conservation areas and Noted with the document. Retrospective controls would not be made on owners, objection Not in favour of additional controls as can lead to to additional controls noted. unforeseen costs for owners who acquired their properties before the conservation area was in

existence.

15 Kirsten Barger Agrees with Q1,2 and 3 Support Noted

Concern about deterioration of fabric. Concerns re overall fabric and condition of the area to be monitored and options for better enforcement. Loss of flags on Adelaide terrace.

More Community pride and ownership required.

Wooden windows can deteriorate in wet north west climate, but plastic not appropriate.

Stalled building works can look unsightly and give rise to fly tipping.

Stone fall collapsing Adelaide terrace.

More garden tree retention and less paving of front gardens.

Park itself is a joy renovations have made it feel safe and valued.

16 Jackie Gilbert Agree with Q1,2 &3 Support noted

However public cannot comply with controls if not Comment re better communication to be considered as part of told about them. more proactive engagement.

More Communication between Council and residents.

How will controls be enforced?

17. Richard Slater In response to Questions; Conservation officer will discuss with Owner their plans to for their business premises. Additional controls does not imply a ban 1. Yes to combining two areas. just that planning application will be required, and each case 2. Mostly agree with content of documents. considered on their merits. 3. No to additional controls. 4. Have office premises in the park and would There is scope to target controls if felt this more appropriate. like to enhance them with new windows and a modest extension, not clear from documents how ambitions would be affected and would welcome opportunity to discuss. 18. Hayley Naylor Yes to Q1, 2 and 3 Support noted

Concern over unsympathetic alterations and eroding of gardens.

19. Inspire Response relates primarily to 28-30 Shear Bank Planning Road. solutions • Positive and negative designations of buildings too limited and should include • Neutral category is discouraged by EH as gives rise to and neutral category. ambiguity in decisions. • Pre C20th buildings score high or medium • Significance category relates to character and notable in significance category while C20th building features and is considered to have been buildings score low. Require a more appropriately appraised in historic and townscape and detailed understanding of significance. heritage terms. • Do not agree with 28-30 identified as a • No 28 has been identified as a positive building as it positive building feature, the property has demonstrates many attributes that are typical of the area been altered and in a deteriorating state. and represents a building type of the emerging middle • Development guideline 6.6 should allow class in the nineteenth century. It is accepted that it has for the demolition and replacement of deteriorated and has some unsympathetic additions and buildings of low significance. there is scope for enhancement. For this reason it is • Whilst additional controls may be justified scored as medium significance.

in relation to buildings need to recognise • Each case is dealt with on their merits and the quality of additional flexibility in order to ensure the replacement proposals. ongoing preservation of the area. • Comment noted as to size of plans and will seek to • Whilst reinstatement welcomed, past remedy when installed on the web site. alterations may have reduced significance of a heritage asset and would involve financial heritage deficit. • Finding new uses within the confines of existing buildings not always feasible. • Documents not based on sufficiently detailed analysis and need to recognise that economic and social context has changed. • Would benefit from larger plans as loose detail when enlarged. 20. Ansar Asraf Would advise taller perimeter fence put around Additional security fence would detract from the appearance of the park and security cameras for added security. the park. Security measures existing and proposed will be explored with Park manager.

21. English Support proposals to combine both conservation Noted. Heritage areas. • HLF bid for glass house has been submitted. HLF investment in the Park has made a difference • Scope for improved engagement will be explored as part but urgent repairs and investment needed for the of HLF bid for Conservatory. listed glasshouse in the Park. • Noted comment re precedent images and targeting new development where it will enhance and agree would give Suggest more engagement with the Muslim faith a more positive approach, scope for inclusion will be group to alter fortunes of conservation area. considered. • Grading high, medium and low of significance is Scope in the Management Plan to include considered to be appropriately considered. precedent images and sketches to show how • Targeting Article 4s is considered to be a useful approach and will be considered when preparing Article 4.

positive change and enhancement might occur to balance against planning controls. Could emphasise sites and buildings where demolition, new landscaping and development is desirable to demonstrate that Blackburn Council has a clear vision for the future.

Targeted new development should be embraced where it will enhance the area.

Grading of locally significant buildings can help set management policies according to local significance.

If resources are stretched suggest target Article 4 Direction to more architecturally complete buildings.

22 Revidge Road Verbally raised concern re Corporation Park Hotel Scope for targeting this site for positive enhancement to be Resident on Revidge Road which is disused and attracts highlighted as per comments above. criminal behaviour. Would like issue to be resolved.