Great Weston Conservation Area
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GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 1. AN INTRODUCTION Allies and Morrison Adopted 04 December 2018 Urban Practitioners Click on the character area you are interested in and you will be redirected to its appraisal. How to find 1. 3. 5. An Introduction Character Area 1: Seafront Character Area 3: Hillside your way around Introduction and history Introduction and history HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT Summary of special character Summary of special character This document introduces Overview of current condition Overview of current condition the Great Weston Conservation Area, what Mapping character Mapping character makes it special and how it should be managed. The Changes affecting the area conservation area is divided THIS DOCUMENT Changes affecting the area into four character areas. This document can be read as a Managing change Managing change comprehensive overview and guide to the single conservation area, but if you would like to learn more about each 2. 4. 6. character area, there are individual appraisals which Management guidance Character Area 2: Town Centre Character Area 4: Whitecross can be viewed and accessed separately for ease. These can be found here: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ Introduction and history Introduction and history my-services/planning- building-control/planning/ Summary of special character Summary of special character planning-advice/heritage/ conservation-areas/ Overview of current condition Overview of current condition INTERACTIVE Mapping character Mapping character This document is intended to be Changes affecting the area read online. You can navigate Changes affecting the area through it using the interactive links on the contents page and Managing change Managing change throughout the report. GREAT WESTON CAA AND MANAGEMENT PLAN Adopted 04 December 2018 3 W E S T O N Background Statement of significance The Great Weston What is a and context Conservation Area conservation The Great Weston Conservation Area Weston-super-Mare has been a and Atlantic Terrace. There are also area? is a new conservation for Weston- place of human habitation for more many buildings of lesser individual super-Mare that amalgamates five than two thousand years, making it a merit but high group value, reflected Conservation areas were introduced former conservation areas and adds place of considerable historic value. in patterns of design, layout or the in the 1960s as a recognition of the a new part of the town around its Worlebury Camp, immediately to the consistency of materials. importance of the collective value of commercial and civic centre. The former north of the conservation area, is one old buildings and places. Designating conservation areas were: of England’s most important Iron Age There are few buildings by nationally a conservation area is a statement of sites, and Roman remains have been known figures other than the pier faith by the local planning authority • Birnbeck (designated 1984) found in the town centre. Disastrous engineer Eugenius Birch and the that a place is of special interest, and • Melrose / Grove Park (designated tidal flooding in the early 17th and Victorian church architect G F Bodley shows a commitment to seeking its 18th centuries almost destroyed although Hans Fowler Price, whose 1980/1989) preservation or enhancement. the old settlement, but it recovered best work is found in Weston, was a • Boulevard and Montpelier through employment in fishing, prolific and successful architect who The statutory definition of a (designated 1971) quarrying and zinc extraction. practised in the town for over 50 conservation area is an ‘area of • Beach Lawns (designated 1998) years from 1860 to 1911. Price’s special architectural or historic interest • Ellenborough Park (designated The turning point in the town’s history architectural legacy is central to the character or appearance of which 1985) came after 1800 when the health- Weston’s present-day character. is desirable to preserve or enhance’ giving properties of sea bathing (Section 69 of the Planning (Listed This new conservation area has were being promoted, drawing Great Weston’s aesthetic value is Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act been divided into four character visitors from Bath and Bristol. The reflected in the overall quality of 1990). areas to assist in our understanding first hotel opened in 1810 but the construction, alignment of buildings of what makes the conservation area new resort grew sporadically until on plots, consistency of materials in of special interest, and provides a the 1840s, when the new railway most streets. Variation of architectural basis from which change can be brought passengers in large numbers. language and styles reflect the positively managed. Each of the four Development was rapid, spreading eclecticism of the Victorian period character areas has its own appraisal inland and south towards Uphill. – Tudorbethan, Italianate, Gothic, What are and management plan which can be neoclassical, French Renaissance, viewed on the Council's website: The historic interest in the hillside area Arts and Crafts and various hybrids appraisals and www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ of Weston where the influence of create a rich and lively townscape. my-services/planning- early estate ownerships can be traced The twentieth century legacy is management building-control/planning/ to the 1830s and 40s. The survival also diverse with good examples planning-advice/heritage/ of terraces closer to the town centre, of, classical revival and moderne plans? conservation-areas/ such as Alfred Street are part of a (including the Centre on Walliscote once larger area of working class Road, 1933) as well as International The conservation area appraisal housing from the mid-19th century. Style and Festival of Britain influences No place stands still. Conservation is process has been informed by the in the High Street. an active process of maintenance and views of residents, business owners and Great Weston is of high aesthetic managing change. There is a requirement representatives of local groups. Four and architectural value. There are There have been fewer examples to review conservation areas from time to time. Appraisals provide an evidence workshops were held at all stages of numerous landmark buildings – of good contemporary architecture © Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey 100023397. You are not permitted the process, and people were invited Birnbeck Pier, Odeon Cinema, Town but there has been some exemplary to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form base for determining character and to comment on the emerging work at Hall, the Mercury Offices, the Grand conservation work and transformative context which is then used to develop the draft Appraisal stage. A summary of Pier, the former Library and several public realm projects. management guidance. The guidance is stakeholder involvement can be found fine churches. There are notable set intended to help planners, homeowners, in the Appendix. pieces of urban planning including residents and business owners to take Ellenborough Crescent, Oriel Terrace good care of their conservation area. The purpose of this introduction document is to outline the boundary of the Great Weston Conservation Area and to summarise its special interest. The document also introduces the GREAT WESTON CAA AND MANAGEMENT PLAN Adopted 04 December 2018 character areas. 5 Summary of special interest Setting and dimensions The impressive topography and seaside setting are a defining feature of the town, providing an ever changing landscape with frequent glimpses of the sea from across Weston. The hills allow long views of the sea from the north which are complex and layered. Worlebury Hill / Weston Woods provides a great backdrop to views from the beach towards the town, and a definition to the urban edge of the town. Weston-super-Mare has grown exceptionally from its humble beginnings as a fishing village to a town with over 80,000 residents. Despite parts of the town facing challenges of deprivation, Weston continues to be a popular place to live, work and visit. The richness of its heritage is a great asset and presents a valuable opportunity for renewal. The Great Weston Heritage Action Zone is an exciting initiative which will help the town's heritage to play a central part in its regeneration. Weston's story can be told through layers of its heritage, not only from historic buildings, but the layout of roads, paths Victorian architecture and the stone town Hidden gems and boundaries, the building and paving The Victorian housing boom led to a distinctively 'Weston' townscape, Weston's Victorian inheritance dominated by classical villas and limestone Gothic villas with elaborate is evident. Less well known is materials, and the special relationship detailing. Building and boundary materials were sourced locally; Weston the quality and variety of its 20th between the town and its seaside setting. Stone and Bath stone contribute enormously to the areas' built character. century buildings, including shops, The conservation area is unique and a The influential architect Hans Price made his eclectic mark on Weston's offices, churches and a Grade II product of geographical, social, economic buildings in the second half of the 19th century. listed cinema. and cultural processes that have shaped, and continue to shape its character today. 6 GREAT WESTON CAA AND MANAGEMENT PLAN Adopted 04 December 2018 7 Materials