Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide June 2009 Part of the Blackburn Town Centre Heritage and Design Series Blackburn Town Centre Heritage and Design Series
This document is part of the Blackburn Town Centre Heritage and Design Series. The series has prepared on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to ensure that all development proposals in, or adjacent to, Blackburn town centre’s conservation areas are well-considered, of high quality and have regard to their historical context. Richmond Terrace The series is addressed to:
Residents and businesses; The local community; Northgate Ward members; Council departments, including planning, land and property and highways; Cathedral Potential public and private sector developers; Statutory service providers, and; Relevant professionals, including builders, architects and planners.
Documents in the series are: King Street Blackburn Town Centre Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Darwen Street
This assessment details each conservation area’s known archaeological signi cance and evaluates its potential for future nds
Cathedral Conservation Area Character Appraisal There are ve conservation areas within Blackburn’s town centre Darwen Street Conservation Area Character Appraisal King Street Conservation Area Character Appraisal Northgate Conservation Area Character Appraisal, and Richmond Terrace Conservation Area Character Appraisal
These character appraisals identify and explain each conservation area’s special historical and architectural character
Blackburn Town Centre Conservation Area Management Plan
This management plan programmes short, medium and long-term actions to preserve and enhance the conservation areas
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide Darwen Street Conservation Area Development Guide King Street Conservation Area Development Guide Northgate Conservation Area Development Guide Richmond Terrace Conservation Area Development Guide
These development guides indicate the degree and type of development that will be acceptable within each conservation area
Blackburn Town Centre Public Realm Strategy
This strategy provides guidance on the degree and type of surface materials and street structures that will be acceptable
2 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide Contents 1. Introduction
2. Historical Background
3. Built Form
3.1 Urban Grain 3.2 Density and Mix 3.3 Height and Massing 3.4 Façade and Interface 3.5 Details and Materials
Bibliography and Sources of Further Information
This document has been prepared by: OM ARCHITECTS
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 3 1. Introduction
1.1 Aims of the Development Guide fundamental aspect of the town’s evolution. It is therefore important that measures are in place to encourage the The purpose of this development guide is to outline how the advancement of the town whilst reinforcing the positive buildings, streets and places within Cathedral Conservation aspects that make it a special place. Area can be conserved, improved and developed to enhance the area’s special qualities. The publication of the Blackburn has succeeded in retaining much of its Georgian Supplementary Planning Document ‘Blackburn and Darwen and Victorian buildings and street patterns. Major changes to Design Guide’ in 2006 established a set of principles for the town in the twentieth century, such as The Mall shopping urban design in Blackburn and Darwen. These principles centre and the ring road, have unfortunately had a partially were informed by the recommendations contained within negative impact upon the street scene and compromised the publication ‘By Design: Urban design in the planning many of the views and vistas across the town. system: towards a better practice’ (CABE and DETR 2002). In this development guide these urban design principles are Since the Second World War redevelopment within the town reinforced by speci c guidance on the development form has, in general, fallen below the aspirations of its population. within the Cathedral Conservation Area. This development However, the town centre retains an intrinsic quality that, guide aims to give building owners and development with encouragement and sensitive restoration, conversion professionals an appreciation of the historic area and and redevelopment, can ensure Blackburn’s prominence as guidance on how it can be enhanced. an attractive, safe and diverse multicultural northern town is enhanced. To achieve these objectives there is a need to understand how the town has evolved and what is special about its 1.3 Assistance to Applicants buildings and places. Section 2 of this development guide outlines the history of Cathedral Conservation Area and It is essential that changes to the town’s conservation areas how its buildings and streets have changed over the years. are well-considered and of high-quality. Conservation Section 3 deals with those aspects of the built form that de ne Area Consent is required for material changes to buildings Cathedral Conservation Area’s special character and sets out and prospective applicants are encouraged to enter into a series of principles to be adopted in future developments. pre-application discussions with the Council’s planning This covers aspects of urban design such as urban grain, department as early as possible. This development guide density and uses, height and massing and façade and should assist applicants, gain an appreciation of Cathedral interface. It also deals with details and materials of the Conservation Area’s character and indicate the degree of development that would be supported by the Council. buildings. Fig 2: Cathedral Church of St. Mary the Virgin 1.2 Blackburn’s Past A number of publications provided by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council accompany this development guide dealing Blackburn is a modern, successful and multi-cultural town with speci c issues in more detail. They are as follows: that takes pride in its nineteenth century cotton manufacturing roots. The town was substantially transformed by the Cathedral Conservation Area Character Appraisal; industrial revolution, yet it also has a rich legacy of medieval Blackburn Town Centre Conservation Area Management and Romano-British history. Plan; Blackburn Town Centre Public Realm Strategy; The character of the town has been strongly in uenced by Blackburn Town Centre Archaeological Desk-Based the diversity of activities and functions that have occurred Assessment, and; within its boundaries. Change to the built form has been a Blackburn and Darwen Colour Study.
4 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide In addition to these the following publications are suggested This should include the following: as good reference resources in connection with development in the conservation area: Analysis of the context beyond the site; Photographs at street level, and aerial views; By Design- Urban Design in the planning System: Contextual street elevations indicating the adjacent Towards Better Practice (2002 DETR/CABE); building frontages; Safer Places – The Planning System and Crime A physical context model at an appropriate scale; Prevention (ODPM 2004); Written justi cation in support of the development and the Building for Life – Delivering Places to Live: 20 Questions proposed usage, and; You Need to Answer (CABE/HBF); Precedent illustrations. Planning and Access for Disabled People: A Good Practice Guide (ODPM 2003); 1.4 Design Principles East Lancashire Sustainable Development Framework (ELEVATE) found at www.elevate-eastlancs.co.uk The principles adopted by this development guide are as Streets for All (English Heritage 2005); follows: Start with the Park (CABE 2005); Urban Design Compendium and Compendium 2 (English To enhance the setting of existing buildings and spaces; Partnerships and the Housing Corporation, 2000, 2007 Ensure new developments sit comfortably within the respectively); established street pattern; Building in Context (English Heritage and CABE, 2002), To ensure new developments respect the scale and and; massing of neighbouring buildings; Car Parking – What Works Where (English Partnerships To exploit attractive views and vistas; 2006). To use materials and building methods that will last and age well and are at least as high in quality as Applicants are encouraged to take appropriate steps to neighbouring buildings; ensure design proposals involving buildings in, or adjacent to, To encourage high quality new developments and the conservation area are of a high quality and appropriate for discourage historical pastiche; their setting. The following points should be noted: To encourage mixed-usage and diversity; To provide attractive and active street frontages that , It is important to understand the character of the provide good natural surveillance; conservation area; To clearly de ne the edges of public and private space; , Applicants should de ne clearly the scope of their To reduce the negative visual impact of vehicles; development and the proposed usage; To promote particularly high design standards adjacent to , The commissioning of an architect with a good track important spaces or buildings; record of working is essential; To achieve sustainable development; , Applicants should consider how their proposals can To promote a safe and easy to understand network of enhance the conservation area and bring added value. streets that provide good connectivity, permeability and accessibility, and; During pre-application discussions with the Council’s planning To encourage the integration of art within the built form. department, prospective applicants will be required to provide suf cient supporting information to allow consideration of their proposals.
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 5 2. Historical Background
2.1 Special Features
The special interest of Cathedral Conservation Area is derived primarily from its collection of nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings set around the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin. Within the conservation area is the site of Blackburn’s medieval market place which established the
Fig 4: Plan of listed buildings and features Fig 5: Yate’s plan, 1786
east-west axis, now Church Street/Higher Church Street, and Fig 3: Aerial view of the conservation area KEY it was around this junction that the settlement of Blackburn Grade 1 building/feature town as a focus for trade and commerce. began to form. In 1101 a market cross was erected at the The main focus for the conservation area is the Cathedral Grade II* building/feature Grade II building/feature junction and during the late eleventh or early twelfth centuries precinct – a large area of green space that occupies more Notable building/feature a church was constructed to the immediate northeast of the than half of all land within the conservation area and provides present cathedral. By the thirteenth century Blackburn had an important area of green space in the town centre. Clusters 2.2 Early Development become a settlement of some signi cance and is recorded as of mature trees help de ne the precinct’s boundaries and the third most important parish in Lancashire. contribute considerably to the streetscape quality of Dandy The character and distinct plan form of Cathedral Walk, The Boulevard, Railway Road and Darwen and Church Conservation Area has been strongly in uenced by the In the sixteenth century, a schoolhouse and vicarage streets. diversity of activities and functions that have occurred, and were constructed within the grounds of the church. The continue to occur, within its boundaries. The conservation schoolhouse was replaced after 1567 and renamed Queen There are approximately sixty buildings within the area incorporates much of the town’s earliest historic centre, Elizabeth Grammar School. It was further renovated conservation area, the most prominent of which is the including the course of a Roman road that historically ran between 1653 and 1660. The vicarage, originally located to Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin. Church Street, northwards between Manchester and Ribchester. The the immediate west of the present cathedral, was replaced road’s straight course is clearly visible to the north and Fleming Square and the northern section of Darwen Street in 1564 and rebuilt on the same site from a ruinous state south of Blackburn on many of the early plans of the town. are dominated by service and nancial uses and by small between 1677 and 1680. At this time, clusters of half-timbered Although the route disappears through the town centre, when independent retail and commercial properties. A number of extrapolated it is shown to follow the north-south route of and stone-built vernacular style buildings began to emerge buildings within the conservation area are listed, whilst others Darwen Street, to the immediate west of the Cathedral Church along Church Street and at the northern end of Darwen Street are unlisted yet historically and/or architecturally notable. of St Mary the Virgin. This road was later crossed by an and the southern end of Northgate. One such building was
6 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide the Old Bull Hotel which was located at the eastern corner retail use. By the 1820s, Church Street had established itself of Darwen Street and Church Street and helped enclose the as the town’s principal high status commercial street and in medieval church. 1835 the construction of Waterloo Buildings (now Waterloo Pavilions) further emphasised the street’s importance. The The conservation area experienced enormous change Waterloo Pavilions were originally constructed as nine two- during the mid-eighteenth century. Substantial development storey classical-style buildings with shops at ground oor level was established along Church Street and a small complex and living accommodation above, whilst gaps between them of buildings and narrow alleyways stretched between permitted views towards St Mary’s Parish Church. Three of Darwen Street, Back Lane (now Mincing Lane) and Astley these nine purpose-built pavilions survive today. Gate. These buildings typically accommodated low status domestic dwellings and small-scale workshops, whilst In contrast, Darwen Street accommodated lower status retail the development along Church Street was less dense and commercial enterprises during the early nineteenth and consisted predominately of individual, and probably century. By 1818 the street had established itself as a wealthier, residences. By 1786, as a result of a signi cant specialist centre for shoe and clog manufacturing. At this population expansion attributable to early industrialisation time, many of the shops on Darwen Street were located and a successful market place, the settlement had extended within earlier, adapted residential buildings. However, in along Darwen Street as far as Darwen Bridge. By 1800, the 1824 Fleming Square was constructed as the town’s rst sixteenth century grammar school was in a serious state purpose built shopping area. In 1819, immediately prior of disrepair, whilst the size of the medieval church was to the development of Fleming Square, a sh market was Fig 6: 1822 Plan rendered unsuitable by the town’s ever growing population. established adjacent to the market place at the junction of Consequently, the school building was demolished and Darwen and Church streets. Raised stone slabs used for in 1820 construction of the new St Mary’s Parish Church the display of fresh sh were incorporated into the design of commenced on the school’s vacant site. Following completion Fleming Square, before being removed to a new purpose of the new church, the medieval structure, with the exception built market hall constructed to the north of Church Street in of its tower which was retained as a detached bell tower until 1847 (and demolished in the late 1960s to accommodate the 1870, was demolished. The seventeenth century vicarage new shopping centre). The Exchange Arcade within Fleming was demolished in 1824. By the early nineteenth century, Square was added in1849. a new burial ground had been developed around St Mary’s Parish Church, further extending the church precinct towards 2.4 The Early Development of Church Street the River Blackwater (now Blakewater). In 1926 the church was elevated to Cathedral status and a new spire added to Church Street experienced substantial change during the re ect the building’s increased ecclesiastical importance and late nineteenth century. A number of its earlier nineteenth further augment its prominence in the town. and eighteenth century buildings were refurbished and more contemporary façades introduced. The White Bull Hotel at 2.3 The Boom in Trade the corner of Church Street and Railway Road was present in 1824, but underwent substantial alterations during the By 1800, the market place at the junction of Church and late nineteenth century and now displays architectural Darwen streets had become the most important within East characteristics typical of that period. The street also Fig 7: 1929 Plan Lancashire and the two radiating streets were redeveloped for experienced further change during the mid-twentieth century
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 7 when its northern side was redeveloped to accommodate The appraisal and archaeological desk-based assessment. Mall shopping centre. Until 2002, Church Street was a busy highway, it was then pedestrianised as part of the Blackburn Central Heritage Corridor Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). A half-timbered building is known to have existed at the eastern corner of Darwen and Church streets. Later named the Old Bull Hotel, this building was rebuilt in 1847, and was in use until 1950 until it was demolished. This opened up views from the junction of Higher Church Street and Darwen Street towards the Cathedral. Other buildings that historically lined the eastern side of Darwen Street and de ned the limit of the Cathedral precinct were demolished in the late twentieth century making the grounds of the Cathedral directly accessible from the northeastern side of Darwen Street. Elsewhere in Darwen Street, adapted residential buildings were demolished and replaced with purpose-built retail and commercial premises during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Fig 8: The conservation area today Mincing Lane (formally known as Back Lane) was little developed until the nineteenth century. The street was fully established as a main thoroughfare by the end of the nineteenth century. The recent re-routing of the vehicular traf c in the town centre has made Mincing Lane an important vehicular route into the town centre. Astley Gate and Higher Church Street also experienced signi cant change during the mid to late twentieth century. From at least the eighteenth century, both streets were lined with small domestic and retail properties, however the character of the northern side of the street altered dramatically with the construction of The Mall shopping centre during the 1960s. So now, whilst the southern side remains relatively active and accommodates a number of small retail and commercial properties and public houses within a collection of historic buildings, the northern side is dominated by the blank façade of the rear elevation of the Lord Street Mall.
Further details about the conservation area’s historical development can be found in the accompanying character
8 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 3. Built Form
Built form is the physical expression of the buildings and Façade and Interface 3.1 Urban Grain spaces that de ne the character of a place. The relationships, shape and size of buildings, structures and spaces within the The relationship of the building to the street. 3.1.1 Existing Condition conservation area all potentially in uence the users’ activity The rhythm, pattern and harmony of its openings relative and movement and consequently are fundamental to the to its enclosure. The Cathedral precinct is de ned by the imposing structure of success or otherwise of this part of the town centre. The nature of the setback, boundary treatment and its the Cathedral and its ancillary buildings set within expansive frontage condition at street level. grounds. The precinct is de ned on three sides by Darwen It is important these issues are taken into account when The architectural expression of its entrances, corners, Street, Dandy Walk and The Boulevard. The buildings on development in the conservation area is being considered. roofscape and projections. Church Street back onto the precinct and enclose the northern This development guide does not deal with individual sites perimeter. This is interrupted by glimpses into the precinct and the emphasis remains with the applicant to carry out Details and Materials from narrow ginnels. The openness of the precinct contrasts their own research and analysis speci c to the location of dramatically with the general density and subdivisions of their proposal. However, the information provided in this The appearance of the building in relation to the art, urban blocks within the rest of the town centre. development guide should allow applicants to appreciate the craftsmanship, building techniques and details of the general context in some detail. various building components. To the west of the precinct, between Darwen Street and The texture, colour, pattern, durability and treatment of its Mincing Lane, three urban blocks are de ned by Astley The aspects of the built form covered in this development materials. Gate, Fleming Square, Market Street and St Peter’s Street. guide are as follows: The lighting, signage and treatment of shopfronts, Previously these were densely developed blocks with small entrances and building security. backyards. Subsequent demolition has created a series of Urban Grain open plots mostly given over to surface car parking. The plot subdivision within the urban blocks varies considerably, , The nature and extent of the subdivision of the area into smaller development parcels which de ne the pattern, and scale of streets, blocks and plots and the rhythm of building frontages along the street as a re ection of the plot subdivision.
Density and Mix
The amount of development and the range of uses. The intensity of activity relative to a place’s accessibility and the place’s vitality relative to the proximity and range of uses.
Height and Massing
The scale of a building in relation to the arrangement, volume and shape of a building or group of buildings in relation to other buildings and spaces. The size of the parts of a building and its details. The impact on views, vistas and skylines.
Fig 9: Plan of urban blocks
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 9 re ecting the degree of transition across the conservation 3.1.2 Principles to be adopted 3.2 Density and Mix area in the past 200 years. In many cases, smaller Georgian plots were amalgamated to facilitate the construction of larger a) Conserve, improve and enhance all listed and notable and grander Victorian hotels, banks and commercial buildings. buildings within the conservation area; 3.2.1 Existing Condition
The predominant plot subdivision presents relatively wide b) Conserve, improve and enhance (or replace with buildings The intensity of developed building plots has diminished building frontages to the street. These tend to be treated of equivalent or better quality) those buildings that currently signi cantly since Victorian times. This has had a dramatic as individually composed elevations marking the transition contribute to the character of the conservation area; effect upon the setting of the Cathedral and the streetscape of between the plots. The building rhythm therefore has considerable variety. c) Retain the size of the urban blocks. Do not amalgamate smaller blocks to form larger blocks. This would compromise the permeability of the area;
d) Gaps to the edges of the urban blocks should be repaired to present a de ned building line and mask low-grade rear elevations, and;
e) Enclosure of the Cathedral precinct to be reinforced on Darwen Street and Dandy Walk.
Fig 12: Strong street edge, Higher Church Street
Fig 10: Plan of building plots Fig 11: Variety of frontages, Church Street Fig 13: Figure ground plan
10 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide side streets such as Fleming Square and Market Street. Principal routes such as Astley Gate, Church Street, Railway Road and Darwen Street (western side) have retained a dense quality with a strong street edge. These streets accommodate active commercial retail and leisure uses and are important pedestrian thoroughfares.
The Cathedral’s proximity to the bus and train stations generates a high level of pedestrian movement on the east/ west axis.
The buildings on the perimeter of the Cathedral precinct generally present low-grade rear elevations onto this important space. There is potential here for improvements to surrounding sites to exploit the qualities of the precinct whilst adding to the character of the area as a whole.
Fig 15: Plan showing use categories Fig 16: Low grade rear elevations of buildings on Church Street visible from the Cathedral KEY
Residential Of ce Retail Transport Civic/Community Leisure 3.2.2 Principles to be adopted Vacant
Light Industrial (a) Retain and reinforce the activity along Astley Gate, Church Education Street, Railway Road and Darwen Street; Financial Institution Car Park (b) Encourage greater activity along streets by developing gap sites and encouraging appropriate ground oor uses that will enliven the public realm;
(c) Encourage re-use or conservation of vacant buildings, and;
(d) Improve the appearance of buildings facing onto the Cathedral precinct, particularly adjacent to pedestrian routes. Fig 14: Plan of building entrances
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 11 3.3 Height and Massing contrasting roof pro le.
3.3.1 Existing Condition Views and vistas within the conservation focus upon the Cathedral as a centre piece of the townscape. A variety of The majority of the buildings within the conservation area are views are created, some are open vistas such as at Darwen three storeys in height and date from the late Victorian period. Street, others are intriguing glimpses from narrow side streets. Modest two storey buildings are found on Astley Gate and Darwen Street. Within the Cathedral precinct, the church and KEY its spires dramatically interrupt the skyline. Other buildings 1 Storey within the precinct are one or two storeys in height and are 2 Storey clearly subservient to the Cathedral’s principal role in the 3 Storey 4 Storey setting. 5 Storey plus
The town centre is located within a bowl surrounded by hills. Accordingly, distant views of the town centre place signi cant emphasis upon the roofscape. In general the roofscape is a collection of double-pitched dark slated roofs. Where at roofs have been introduced (often with roof mounted plant or lightly coloured roofs) the cohesive qualities of the town centre Fig 19: Plan of building heights are diminished.
In general, beyond the Cathedral, the buildings within the conservation area relate closely in height and mass to their neighbours creating relatively consistent street frontages that have similar eave or parapet heights. Changes in height between adjacent buildings tends to be no more than a single Fig 17: 18 - 26 Darwen Street storey height, often much less. Notable exceptions are at numbers 8 - 12 Higher Church Street where the building adds interest to the streetscape as it rises considerably above its neighbour.
By contrast, the relatively recent two storey BBC Lancashire building at 18 - 26 Darwen Street lacks appropriate height and massing and adds little to the street scene. Its important position, directly facing the Cathedral, is a missed opportunity for a building of appropriately high quality.
At principal street corners many of the buildings increase in height either by increasing the overall mass or creating a Fig 18: The Cathedral precinct from the junction of Church and Darwen Streets Fig 20: 8 - 12 Higher Church Street
12 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 3.4 Façade and Interface
3.4.1 Existing Condition
The majority of the buildings within the conservation area are of masonry construction with repetitive ‘punched hole’ window and door openings. In most cases, the proportion of opening to solid wall is less than 30%. The Cathedral is an obvious exception to this. Elsewhere, the original use of certain buildings or their construction creates a different façade treatment. The former Post Of ce on Darwen Street (now the Postal Order Public House) has a variety of window openings that would have been in response to the different activities taking place in the original building. The bank on the corner of Darwen Street and Higher Church Street presents a powerful masonry frontage in response to the banking hall interior. At 10 - 14 Darwen Street the framed construction has enabled large areas of glass to be used, albeit creating a somewhat curious building form. More successful is the in ll sections of Fig 23: Bank on corner of Darwen Street, Higher Church Street the Waterloo Pavilions on Church Street where fully glazed Fig 21: Views towards the Cathedral from Church Street facades has been used to good effect.
3.3.2 Principles to be adopted a) Reinforce the predominant three storey building height at street frontages; b) Encourage greater height and massing at street corners; c) Increases in building height may be accommodated back from the building line, however, these should not exceed incremental increases greater than a single storey; d) Retain and enhance existing views into the Cathedral precinct, and; e) Encourage adaptations and redevelopment that will frame discreet views towards the Cathedral. Fig 22: The former Post Of ce, Darwen Street Fig 24: 10 - 14 Darwen Street
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 13 3.4.2 Principles to be adopted
a) New developments to acknowledge the prevailing rhythm, pattern and proportion of the building façades within the conservation area.
b) Exploit opportunities to increase the diversity of the area with sensitive, high quality façade treatments.
c) The building line of new developments to extend to the rear of the footpath.
d) Enhances to new or converted buildings to be accessed directly off the street.
e) Repair and in ll missing or under-developed street frontages with good quality facades.
Fig 25: Waterloo Pavillions, Church Street Fig 26: Parapets conceal the roof, Church Street The Cathedral and its ancillary buildings are set within a churchyard landscape. Elsewhere buildings reinforce the street edge and extend up to the rear of the public footpath. Entrances are generally via a single step above the pavement. Entrances are often positioned on street corners with either a faceted or curved form to the building.
Façades tend to have few projecting features such as bay windows. Roofscape is not given prominence and tends to be simple dual pitched roofs with few interruptions such as dormer windows. Prestigious buildings reduce the importance of the roof further by having parapets that all but obscure the roof
Many buildings on street intersections have turreted structures at the corners, often with elaborate roof forms.
Fig 27: Elaborate structures to street intersections, Darwen Street
14 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 3.5 Details and Materials
3.5.1 Existing Condition
Materials Red brick and buff ashlar stone are the predominant building materials found on the façades within the conservation area. The degree of importance placed upon any building is re ected in the amount of stone used in its façade. The level of decorative brickwork and stonework also generally increases in direct correlation with the perceived importance of the building. This is evident not only with the Cathedral, but also the bank buildings on Darwen Street and Church Street. A number of brick or stone-faced buildings have been subsequently rendered or painted (or both) which would suggest that the facing materials have aged badly. Low grade remedial measures have been employed in many cases, however these offer only short-term solutions and impinge upon the visual quality of the buildings. There are Fig 28: Brickwork facades with stone dressings, Railway Road Fig 30: Painted facades, Railway Road Fig 31: Non-indigenous brickwork, Higher Church Street also instances where low grade facing materials or non- indigenous brickwork have been used and this has also been unsuccessful.
Roofs are generally dual pitched with Welsh slate covering. Gutter details are generally simple junctions with a cornice de ning the eaves. Gables at roof level are predominantly simple verges with a ush mortar/slate detail. Although parapets are used on important buildings. Rainwater gutters and downpipes are in cast iron and exposed on the façade.
Much of the conservation area’s ornamental ironwork has been lost however where it has survived it adds signi cantly to the character of the area.
Openings Window and door openings are set back within masonry walls and are dressed in stone and/or brick mouldings. Window heads range from at stone lintels to fully rounded brick arches. Windows are generally single or double pane timber Fig 29: Stone facades, Church Street Fig 32: Ornamental ironwork, Cathedral precinct
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 15 sash and case frames, either original or replicas of varying Shopfronts quality. In many cases, the original sixteen-pane sashes The quality of the shopfronts and associated signage within have virtually disappeared resulting in a signi cant loss to the the conservation area is not particularly high. Successful overall detail and proportion of the façades. examples tend to have a well-proportioned shopfront that has an architectural relationship to the building above and Colour on either side. Where they exist, original shopfronts should The use of colour has been largely unchecked throughout be retained. If original shopfronts have been covered up the town centre and this has led to a number of inappropriate they should be restored and brought back into use. It is not examples. The most successful use of colour on façades acceptable for ‘corporate’ signage to overwhelm a shopfront tends to be warm, off-white earth or neutral colours. on a historic building. Most high street shops now recognise Contrasting, slightly darker ‘stone’ tones are best for the importance of a sensitively designed shopfront that architectural features such as stone dressings. Bold primary re ects the quality of the building they choose to trade from. colours are seldom successful, as they tend to increase The creation of a strong identity for an individual shop is the visual bulk of a building and make a façade look secondary to achieving an appropriate balance within the overwhelming. This creates an imbalance in the composition town’s street scene as a whole. Colour schemes should clarify of the townscape and detracts from the town’s character. the architectural form of the frontage and should not merely Where the elevations on adjacent properties are very similar, apply alien treatments and designs. Most successful colour the colours of the facades and their components should be schemes employ only one or two colours. The use of several consistent. colours requires a careful balancing of elements that can Fig 33: Good quality shopfront, Higher Church Street be dif cult to achieve. Dark colours generally work best for In many older buildings the windows might often have been timber or aluminium shopfronts. Stone shopfronts should be painted dark green, red or grained varnish. However it has left unpainted. become the norm to paint window frames white or off-white and this should be continued across the town centre. On Lighting of shop signs should be discrete and not non-domestic buildings alternative window colours may be overpowering. Neon or back-lit uorescent box signs should acceptable when part of an overall colour scheme for an not be used. Where security shutters are unavoidable they entire building. Black, rich dark or muted colours or grained should be open grilles set behind glazing allowing shop varnish are generally appropriate for entrance doors. displays to be visible out of trading hours.
The roofs in Blackburn are predominantly dark in colour Street Clutter creating a consistent and homogeneous effect. Consequently, In many cases, items such as ‘to let’ and ‘for sale’ signs, light or brightly coloured materials should be avoided. security alarms, satellite dishes, TV aerials, extract ventilation plant and grilles, meter enclosures and ood lighting have Rainwater goods should be painted either black or the colour been added to principal street façades. It is essential that of the background wall. Railings and ornamental ironwork the installation of these components is controlled and their would originally have been painted bronze green. However, positioning handled sensitively and discretely. In many cases most are now painted black, which generally is acceptable. planning permission may be required and buildings owners should consult with the planning department for general advice. Fig 34: Good quality shopfront, Church Street
16 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 3.5.2 Principles to be adopted j) Roofs to be low-key and dark in colour; a) Encourage sensitive repair and restoration of existing k) Avoid building materials that are alien to the character of buildings using local traditional building techniques and the town unless it is fully substantiated in urban design and materials; architectural terms and it does not detract from the overall street scene; b) Repair and retain natural brick and stone nishes; l) Items such as ‘to-let’ signs, security alarms, satellite dishes, c) Paint nish to brickwork or stone is not to be permitted; extract vents and meter enclosures to be discretely located and in accordance with planning guidance, and; d) Encourage brickwork and stone repairs using matching materials and detailing; m) Shopfronts should be of good quality, well proportioned and relate to the building above and to the side. They should also e) Where render is unavoidable this should be through- have an appropriate level of detail. Security screens should be coloured smooth render. Where applied colour is used, open grill type placed behind the glazing. adhere to a palette of warm white and buff stone; f) Encourage the use of crafted building techniques in new developments; g) Avoid obtrusive interruptions to the roofscape; h) Brickwork in new developments to be consistent in colour and texture to the established materials within the town centre; i) Where applied colour is used, adhere to the following:
, Use warm, buff, earth colours on render; Only use contrasting colours where there is an architectural justi cation (i.e. quoins, window cills etc.). The degree of contrast to be kept within a subtle range of warm-buff; Window frames to be white; Doors to be black, rich dark or muted colours or grained varnish; Rainwater goods to be black, and; Railings to be black or bronze green.
Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide 17 Bibliography and Sources of Further Information
Bibliography
Blackburn with Darwen Design Guide, Blackburn with Dar- wen Borough Council, 2006; By Design: Urban design in the planning system: towards a better practice, CABE and DETR, 2002; Safer Places – The Planning System and Crime Preven- tion (ODPM 2004); Building for Life – Delivering Places to Live: 20 Questions you Need to Answer (CABE/HBF); Planning and Access for Disabled People: A Good Prac- tice Guide (ODPM 2003); East Lancashire Sustainable Development Framework (ELEVATE) found at www.elevate-eastlancs.co.uk Street for All (English Heritage 2005); Start with the Park (CABE 2005); Urban Design Compendium and Compendium 2 (English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation, 2000, 2007 re- spectively); Building in Context (English Heritage and CABE, 2002); Car Parking – What Works Where (English Partnerships 2006).
Sources of Further Information
For further information about developing within or adjacent to Blackburn town centre’s conservation areas please contact:
Planning Service Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council King William Street Town Hall Blackburn BB1 7DY
Tel: (01254) 585585 Email: [email protected] Web: www.blackburn.gov.uk
18 Cathedral Conservation Area Development Guide