St George’s Conservation Areas Appraisal Draft Feb 2007

1 Contents

1.0 Introduction 3

2.0 Policy Background 3

3.0 Summary of Special Interest 3

4.0 Assessing Special Interest 4

5.0 Extent of intrusion & damage 13

6.0 Community Involvement 14

7.0 Suggested boundary changes 14

8.0 Guidelines for development 15

9.0 References 17

Appendices

1 UDP Policies 18

2 Historic Maps 21

3 Conservation Area Appraisal Maps 25

2 ST GEORGE’S

CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL 2.0 Policy Background (draft) A Conservation Area is an “area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance” as set out in Section 69 of the Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. It is the duty of Local Authorities to designate such areas and to use planning powers to safeguard and enhance the special qualities of these areas within a framework of controlled and positive management of change. Designation automatically entails control over the demolition of unlisted buildings, strengthens controls over minor development and gives special protection to trees within an area.

Figure 1 St Georges Church The St George’s Conservation Area was originally designated in 1987 as 1.0 Introduction part of the Town Centre Conservation Area. This was broken down into three St George’s Conservation Area is smaller areas in 1996, namely St situated in the northern part of George’s, Deansgate and Town Hall. town centre just beyond the retail core. The boundary was extended in 1997 The Area is arranged around the main to include the former Elim Pentecostal east west thoroughfare of St George’s church and in 2005 to include the Road. To the east of Bridge St was western end of St George’s Road. formerly the original settlement of which was divided from Great 3.0 Summary of Special Interest Bolton by the . St George’s Road became the main street of the The conservation Area possesses a former Township of Little Bolton and strong linear built form and comprises was named after St George’s Church. groupings of continuous building It is also the site of the Little Bolton frontages. The area is dominated by Town Hall. early nineteenth century red brick terraced housing, interspersed with The purpose of the Conservation Area late nineteenth and early twentieth appraisal is to reassess the century prestigious buildings. It designated St George’s Conservation retains much of the character of an Area and to evaluate and record its early nineteenth century residential special interest. As part of this review district and includes some of the key extensions to the existing boundaries surviving buildings of Little Bolton. It are proposed. The appraisal will also has the largest concentration of provide a sound basis for development Georgian buildings in Bolton. control and for developing initiatives to improve the area. The area includes the impressive Grade II* St Georges Church, whose tower dominates the skyline and key

3 vistas into and out of the town centre. The terrace of properties at 44-80 St The central east-west axis of the Georges Road form a particularly Conservation Area is St George’s important visual set piece with the Road, which is a wide open church. thoroughfare, especially at its junction with Bridge Street, and is a major The stone built former Little Bolton route into the town centre from the Town Hall is also an important visual east and west. St George’s Church is and historic landmark at the gateway the main focal building along St of the town centre to the east, George’s Road. representing the former township of Little Bolton. The western section of St George’s Road extends as far as the dual The buildings are predominantly in carriageway of Topp Way which acts commercial use, with some of the as a physical barrier to the urban area larger buildings in community or beyond. Northern and southern leisure use. There have been a boundaries to the Conservation Area number of recent conversions of follow the rear property boundaries of buildings into residential use such as buildings. Spinners Hall and Lion Oil Works. The grid of streets to the east comprising All Saint’s Street, Bark Street East and Bridge Street represent the earlier settlement of Little Bolton and forms the eastern gateway to the town centre with direct access from St Peter’s Way. This part of the Conservation Area lies directly adjacent to the Deansgate Conservation Area. It is proposed to include properties along eastern side of Bridge St (currently in the Figure 2 View along St George's Rd Deansgate Conservation Area) within East the St George’s Conservation Area.

4. 0 Assessing Special Interest 4.2 Historic Development and Archaeology 4.1 Location and setting St. Georges was originally part of the The Conservation Area as extended is township of Little Bolton, which was located in the northern part of the town divided from Great Bolton by the River centre adjacent to the retail core on Croal. Prior to the regrading of the sloping land which would have river banks and the culverting of the originally constituted the northern river in the late eighteenth century it banks of the River Croal. The area is formed a more marked barrier bounded by major dual carriageways between the two communities. For on its northern and eastern edges much of its length it was crossed by which separate it from the rest of the narrow wooden bridges. The main urban area of Bolton. It comprises St road crossings linking George’s Street, St George’s Road the two townships were Bridge Street (western section recently extended), and Bank Street/Manor Street. eastern section of Bark Street, central section of All Saints Street and The original settlement of Little Bolton southern end of Bath and Palace was situated to the east of Bridge Streets. Street, bounded in the south by the

4 River Croal and to the east by the At the beginning of the nineteenth River Tonge. St. George’s Road and century when both townships were Bark Street were laid out in the late developing industrially and their eighteenth century parallel to the River population was growing, this system of Croal as the town expanded. St. local government became inadequate Georges Road became the main street to deal with the various problems of of the town and was named after the the expanding town such as paving church built to serve the new and drainage. Local businessman population. It was also the site of the organised support for a charter of Town Hall. The north sides of these incorporation under the Municipal two streets were developed with Corporations Act of 1835. Following a terraces of houses in the early meeting held in Little Bolton Town Hall nineteenth century, those on St. in 1838 a successful petition was sent George’s Road adjacent to the church to the Queen and Bolton was granted being larger and grander than those a Borough Charter. However the on Bark Street. This street originally Trustees of both Great and Little continued across the site now Bolton were not finally abolished until occupied by the Market Place as can the Bolton Improvement Act of 1850 be seen on the 1890 map at the end of vested their powers in Bolton Borough this document. It was predominantly Council. industrial in character, particularly on its southern side adjacent to the River Croal. Industrial premises included flax and cotton mills, timber yards and a brewery.

Prior to the establishment of Bolton Corporation in 1839 the townships of Great and Little Bolton were administered as completely separate units and run by Improvement Trustees set up by the Bolton Enclosure and Improvement Act of Figure 3 Little Bolton Old Town Hall 1792. They were empowered to raise money for town improvements by A depression in the textile trade in the enclosing areas of common land and late 1830's caused great distress dividing them into small plots for among workers in the town and there development. The revenue paid for was much support for radical causes. civic improvements such as the Chartism, a movement demanding that regulation of markets and the provision all adult males be given the right to of a water supply. vote, gained popular support in Bolton. In 1839 a three day general strike was organised with public demonstrations and over 1,500 special constables were enrolled to keep the peace. Following a meeting at the New Market Place in Victoria Square attended by several hundred workers, three people were arrested. In retaliation a mob marched on Little Bolton Town Hall which was protected by a body of special constables. When they tried to arrest the ringleader the mob attacked and held a number of constables in the hall for

5 two hours until they were freed by a survive today, including St George’s troop of Grenadiers. A plaque on the Church, Church of St Andrew and St building records this event. George and All Saints Church.

Communications between the Little In the 1980's the site of a former flax Bolton area and the remainder of the mill on St. Georges Road was town were greatly improved following redeveloped by the Borough Council the redevelopment of a number of to provide a shopping centre followed courts and alleys to the north of by the development of the Crest Hotel Deansgate by the Town Council in the and Conference Centre opposite. The 1850's to build a new Market Hall. As St. Georges area has now been part of this scheme Bridge Street was assimilated into the commercial centre widened and Knowsley Street widened of Bolton although it retains a number and extended across the River Croal of reminders of its once separate to create a major thoroughfare. identity as part of the community of Little Bolton. From this time onwards the character of the St. Georges area began to 4.3 Open Spaces change and coincided with peak periods in the textile industry. St Georges has a compact linear Prestigious buildings were constructed emphasis, with a consistent building on the south side of St George’s Road, enclosure along St Georges Road in beginning with the Congregational the western section of the Church in 1863 followed by the Conservation Area. Open spaces and Spinners Hall in 1911 and the landscape are limited to front or side Congregational Sunday School in areas. Beyond the junction with 1914. A detached house on the Knowsley St there are varying degrees corner of St. Georges Road and of enclosure and set back and the Bridge Street was redeveloped for street has a more open aspect. By commercial premises. Houses on St. contrast the tight grid network of Bark Georges Road and Bark Street were Street, and All Saint’s St have terraced gradually converted into offices. buildings right up against the foot path which give a distinctive visual The St Georges area with its valley enclosure which frames the view to All side location was never particularly Saint’s Church. suited to the development of mill buildings with their need for larger Terraces are set back along St flatter sites. The only former industrial George’s Rd, formerly behind railings building within the area is the Lion Oil and small front gardens. Works which was developed on the flatter land to the eastern side of the Conservation Area. The building was once a foundry, from which the Founders Arms takes its name opposite, and more recently is undergoing redevelopment and conversion into residential accommodation.

The religious life of Bolton was very rigorous during the early Victorian St George’s Church has a limited area period. The majority of religious of raised landscaped grounds buildings which developed to serve bounded by railings and provides little Bolton were built within the visual softening with trees and a Conservation Area many of which

6 grassed area. Other open spaces are former core of little Bolton (see map of mostly hard landscaped spaces, such 1824) and the industrial period around as the front forecourt and extensive about the later nineteenth century and parking area at the side of the former early twentieth century which saw the Wesleyan Chapel (now Stanley development of many of the Casino). This gives an open aspect to prestigious buildings and later this area of the Conservation Area and terraces. By this stage the area was affords views to the Little Bolton Town fully developed into a Victorian Hall. residential suburb.

4.4 Views and Vistas 4.6 Character areas Three sub character areas can be identified.

Figure 4 View from Knowsley St to Figure 5 St Georges Terrace St George's Church Tower a. St George’s Church cluster There are distant views westwards A central core of buildings grouped down St. George’s Road of Queen’s around St Georges Church, these from Park and views eastwards across the an attractive relatively unaltered Tonge Valley. Looking southwards streetscape on both sides of St down Bridge and Knowsley Streets Georges Road which frame the view to there are clear views of the town the church. The group of red brick centre. Eastwards along Bark Street terraced properties (44-80 St Georges the view is closed by All Saints Rd) create an important visual Church. This forms an interesting relationship in terms of scale and group with the former residential materials to the church. The strong terraces on either side of Bark Street. building enclosure on the south side of The tower of St. George’s Church is a the street formed by Spinners Hall, St local landmark looking eastwards Andrews Church and the United along St. George’s Road and Reformed Church also contribute to northwards up Knowsley Street. The the dramatic setting and views of St tower above the Spinners Hall is a George’s Church and give this area a local landmark looking westwards distinctive sense of place. along St. George’s Road. b. Little Bolton Town Hall Cluster Focused around Little Bolton Town 4.5 Character and Appearance Hall and All Saints Church a compact cluster of small scale red brick The character and appearance of the terraced buildings comprising Bark St George’s Conservation Area, arises Street East, and later properties along principally from two periods of St George’s road which have a more development, the early nineteenth modest appearance. This area echoes century which saw the establishment the characteristics of the former of the grid pattern of residential streets township of Little Bolton. Building lines and terraces in particular around the are close to the pavement of a regular

7 scale and form, windows and doors Key Historic Buildings have a vertical composition. The open space around the former Wesleyan Listed Buildings. Chapel (Stanley Casino) contributes to There are a number of buildings which the visual setting of little Bolton Town are listed as being of Special Hall and is clearly defined by a strong Architectural or Historic Interest within boundary wall and railings. the Conservation Area as follows:- c. Western cluster All Saints Church, All Saints Street. Western end of St Georges Road All Saints was built between 1869 and characterised by later nineteenth 1871 to the designs of the architect century terraces focused around George Edmund Street. It is in a Claremont Church. These continue the simple Early English style and consists consistent building line along St of a nave with lean-to aisles, a chancel George’s Road and comprise and a west doorway in a gabled porch. groupings of Victorian terraces. The church is built of squared rubble Groupings of terraces are relatively with a Welsh slate roof and has short, mostly three storeys with traceried windows. vertically proportioned window openings.

4.7 The Qualities of Buildings

The Conservation Area is dominated by domestic Georgian and Victorian red brick domestic buildings with pitched roofs and regular patterns of openings and narrow unit sizes. The terraces are punctuated in the street scene by public and commercial Figure 7 All Saints Church buildings of different architectural styles and materials which form 34 All Saints Street. landmarks or break up the continuity of This property was originally a house the terraces. Building styles vary from and dates from around 1840. It is simple Georgian to Classical and constructed of coursed and squared baroque. rubble with a stone flag roof, a hoodmould over the doorcase and three light mullioned windows with small panes and hoodmoulds.

Former Wesleyan Chapel, Higher Bridge Street. Now a casino, this former Wesleyan church was built in 1803 of brick with stone dressings and a slate roof. There is a pedimented front to St. George’s Street and the central pediment doorway is flanked by two other entrances with flat entablatures. There are round arched windows with margin lights and there is a date stone in the apex of the gable. A manse was

Figure 6 Typical elevation to St formerly attached to the east end. George's Terrace

8

Figure 8 Former Wesleyan Chapel (now Stanley Casino)

Figure 9 Fanlight and door, St Former Elim Pentecostal Church, George’s terrace Higher Bridge Street

This former chapel was built in 1844 Church of St. George, St. Georges as the New Jerusalem Church. It later Road became the Elim Pentecostal and is Now a craft centre. St. Georges now a carpet warehouse. It was Church was built in 1796 and altered designed by James Greenhalgh and is in the late 20th Century. It is constructed of brick with a slate roof. constructed of red brick, with stone The street frontage has a pedimented dressings and has a single span slate gable containing a date stone and a roof over a galleried nave. The central doorway in a Tuscan architrave shallow chancel and south chapel flanked by tall round arched windows were added or rebuilt in 1907 by with margin lights. James Simpson. There is a west

tower constructed in four stages Numbers 44 to 80 (even) St. Georges containing a pedimented doorway with Road a traceried fanlight, an iron framed Originally built as houses around 1820 ogee window above a clock inset in this terrace of nineteen properties is stone and a stone parapet with ball now mostly in commercial use. It is finials. The windows have round two storeys high constructed of brick arches with margin lights. The interior with a slate roof to a common layout has galleries with wood panelling but with variable details. encasing the supporting pillars, a

panelled parapet to the galleries and Numbers 62-80 (even) St. Georges Renaissance style chancel furniture. Road St. Georges is reputed to be the first These buildings have segmentally brick built church in Bolton. arched doorways with recessed architraves with fluted shafts and plain Old Town Hall, St. George’s Street. fanlights and canted bay windows with sashes. The first floor windows have This building dating from 1826 was splayed brick heads and twelve pane originally the Town Hall for Little sashes. Bolton before it was incorporated with

Great Bolton. Later on it was used as Numbers 44-60 (even) St. Georges a library and then a museum. It is two Road. storeys high built of dressed stone with These properties are shorter than the a slate roof. The entrance front facing other houses in the terrace. The St. George’s Street is divided by doorways have recessed architraves pilasters and has a central pediment with reeded pilasters and fanlights and bearing the Coat of Arms of Thomas the doors have eight fielded panels. Tipping who was Lord of the Manor of

Little Bolton. There is a six panelled

9 door with a modillion cornice and sash windows with small panes. The main entrance has a portico with coupled Tuscan piers.

Figure 11 Spinners Hall

Spinners Hall, St. George’s Road The Spinners Hall was built in 1911 for the Operative Cotton Spinners to the Figure 10 Little Bolton Old Town designs of the architects Potts and Hall Hammings of , Oldham and Bolton. It is constructed in a St. George’s Road Congregational Baroque style of brick with stone Church dressings and has a pitched slate roof. The Congregational Church dates There is a central entrance from 1863 and was designed by surmounted by a tower and a central Newcastle upon Tyne architects Oliver round arched doorway with panelled and Lamb. It is constructed of coursed pilasters carrying a shallow and squared stone with a slate roof balustraded balcony on scrolled and has a tower at the north east brackets. The windows have mullions angle formerly surmounted by a spire and transoms and there is a cartouche (demolished in 1960). The interior has in a raised stone panel beneath the a horse shoe gallery to the east, north pediment. and south which was remodelled in 1938. The chancel was refitted in Unlisted buildings 1936 with wood panelling; choir stalls pulpit and organ loft. Lord Leverhulme There are also a number of Non-Listed worshipped in the church and was Buildings which make an important married there in 1874. contribution to the character of the Conservation Area. St. Georges Road Congregational These include:- Church Sunday School, St. Georges Road 2, 4, 10-20 (even) 13-23 (odd) Bark Originally a Sunday School this Street East property was built in 1914 of These properties form three groups of rusticated, coursed and squared two and three storey Georgian town rubble in small blocks with ashlar houses. With the exception of number dressings and a Westmorland slate 13 they date from the early nineteenth roof. It is two storeys high with steep century. They are constructed of brick chamfered arches to the recessed with stone dressings and pitched slate doorway, with a hoodmould and a roofs. Short flights of steps lead to the shallow oriel window above. There is front entrances which have a panelled parapet with a coat of arms semicircular arched heads. A number in the centre and the roof has a steep of doorways incorporate recessed louvred turret in the centre. architraves with fluted columns. An original recessed fanlight and eight panelled door survive at number 18.

10 paned sash windows on the first floor facing All Saints Street.

Former Church of St. Mary, Palace Street The former Church of St. Mary which is now part of the Crest Hotel dates from the turn of the century. It is constructed of coursed dressed stone and has a series of gables and steeply Figure 12 Fanlight on Bark Street pitched slate roofs. The windows have East pointed arches with hood moulds and there is a large rose window with Former Co-operative Society tracery in the gable fronting Palace Premises, Higher Bridge Street Street. There is also a pointed arched This imposing property on the corner entrance with a hood mould on Palace of Higher Bridge Street and St. Street. Georges Road was constructed in 1903/1904 as a drapery shop for the Former oil works St. George’s Road Bolton Co-operative Society. It was designed by the Bolton architectural This former oil works, previously a practice of Bradshaw and Gass. In brewery and a foundry was built later years it was the head office of the around 1800-1805 possibly as a textile Electricity Board and is now occupied mill. It is constructed of coursed and by the Prescription Pricing Authority. squared stone with slate roofs around a courtyard. The entrance range It is four storeys high with attics and is facing St. George’s Street is three constructed of brick and terracotta with storeys high with a tall segmented pitched plain tile roofs. The frontage is archway forming the main entrance. A divided into bays by pilasters which taller three storey building facing All terminate in finials and turrets above Saints Street adjoins this on the right the parapet. Window openings within and has loading doors on the first and the bays are divided by mullions and second floors. transoms, those above first floor level having semicircular heads. The frontage curves round the street junction and has a prominent gable flanked by two turrets directly above the corner, with a three storey bay beneath. At ground floor level the building has been altered.

The Founders Arms, St. Georges Street

This public house dates from the early Figure 13 Lion Oil Works Nineteenth Century and probably owes its name to the former existence Claremont Church of a foundry in the large stone building Formerly known as Claremont Baptist on the opposite site of All Saints Chapel, built in the middle of Street. It is two storeys high built of nineteenth century. It is a two storey red brick with a hipped slate roof building constructed of red brick with behind a stone parapet. The frontage detailed stone dressings and a has been rendered and painted and substantial stone entrance portico with has a wide semicircular arched Corinthian columns. It has a single entrance. There are original small

11 span slate roof with stone gable doorways and gauged flat arches to copings. The windows have stone windows on St George’s Terrace, to arched heads and surrounds with stone heads and dressings on other Corinthian pilasters. buildings.

Terrace at 120-128 St Georges Rd

The terraced group on the north side (120-128) resembles the typical Georgian design of St George’s Terrace to the east, but with wider units and simplified detailing. Buildings here are two storey plus a basement, red brick construction with pitched slate roofs and stone cills. The doorways are segmentally arched with recessed architraves and plain pilasters.

Terrace at 109-123 St Georges Rd

Figure 14 An original multipaned Once known as Regent Buildings, now sliding sash window occupied by a funeral service business. The terrace is three storeys 4.10 Public Realm with modified ground floor frontage of red brick construction, now painted. St George’s has limited open space Pitched slate roofs, stone cills, string and greenery, the public realm is course and ornate detailing to stone restricted to the streetscape and window heads. private and semi private spaces such as churchyards fronting onto the 4.9 Building materials street. The only area of green space is the graveyard around St George’s Traditional buildings are two or three Church. This is a raised area from the storeys high, built of red brick, stone or road bounded by stone walls and terracotta; the majority have pitched railings, with a modest tree which adds slate roofs but some have stone flags visual softening to the setting of the or red clay tiles. The majority of church. properties are built of brick with stone details. However All Saints Church, The Congregational Church, the former Church of St. Mary's (now part of the Holiday Inn), Former Lion Oil Works on St. Georges Road, the former Town Hall and 34 All Saints Street are constructed entirely of stone. A few brick properties have been rendered. Window openings throughout the area have strong vertical proportions and some have retained traditional multi paned sliding sash windows. Figure 15 Burial ground to St George's Church Brick colour is a warm red, predominantly laid in Flemish bond. The remainder of the Conservation Heads vary from segmentally arched Area is dominated by hard spaces.

12 The other significant area of open 5.0 Extent of intrusion and damage space is the burial ground to the former Wesleyan Church (now Stanley 5.1 Negative aspects Casino) off Higher Bridge St, which is currently used as a car park. This area The area has suffered damage from is bounded by a stone wall and railings inappropriate alteration such as loss of which form a distinctive boundary to original railings and walls to front of the north side of the road. This is an terraces, inappropriate windows and important space which affords views to doors, rendering of some terraces, and Little Bolton Town Hall and provides a some recent developments. Ground break in the building line. floor shopfronts have been significantly altered and advertising An old photo of St George’s Terrace with large plastic fascias detracts from dated 1916 shows evidence of trees the vertical proportions of the street and shrubs to the front garden areas scene. of the terraces which would have been The office building Known as St in keeping with the residential Georges Court adjacent to the Little character of the suburb around this Bolton Town Hall is constructed in time. These have been paved over yellow brick which is an inappropriate and the original railings have material in colour and texture and disappeared. The overall appearance abuts adjacent to the town hall which has a more urban feel with the intrudes into its setting. tarmacadam carriageway of St Georges dominating views along the The Holiday Inn complex is of a street. The area would benefit from massing and design which intrudes more greenery to give visual softening and detracts form the overall character to the terraces. of St George’ Rd.

There is evidence of traditional stone 5.2 Neutral areas flags in some parts of the Conservation Area around Little Bolton The ear of the market hall is a Town Hall and all Saints Street. Stone substantial building which continues setts are evident below the the dominant building frontage on the tarmacadam along Bark Street East. south side of St Georges Road. However this has no openings and creates a dead frontage. More openings and activity to this frontage would benefit the Conservation Area.

5.3 General Condition

St George’s Rd lies adjacent to the civic core f Bolton but has many of the characteristics of a peripheral out of town centre location, with, values for commercial uses generally lower than in the town centre. Retail and leisure uses are limited with most being small independent traders. Upper floors have a high level of vacancy and deterioration is evident. Deterioration to buildings is most evident to the Figure 16 Setts visible under eastern and western edges of the tarmacadam in Bark St East Conservation Area which have to some extent been blighted by major

13 road building schemes. Key buildings groupings of terraces are later along such as the Little Bolton Town Hall this section and date from the late and Lion oil works have been vacant nineteenth century. Claremont Church for some time and show significant is a key unlisted building. deterioration although a new residential conversion of latter should help improve the overall appearance of this part of the Conservation Area.

The area would benefit from stringent enforcement of advertising and unsympathetic alteration such as loss of traditional windows.

5.4 Pressure for Change Figure 17 Terraced properties The most significant impact to the western end of St George's Rd Conservation Area has been inappropriate change, and neglected Further extensions to the boundary of empty sites. There is an impetus for the Conservation Area are currently more residential schemes in Bolton being considered. town centre which could benefit the Conservation Area and signs of this a) Bath street extension are evident from the conversion of It is proposed to extend the area along Spinners Hall and Lion Oil Works, this Bath Street to include the former would give the area more activity in grammar school. The land rises along the evening. Bath St and affords important views to St Georges Church and the St Georges Road is dominated by Conservation Area, as well as the heavy road and bus traffic with poorly Grammar School providing an accessible junctions. This makes the important vista. Buildings here are of area unattractive to pedestrians as more modest scale one to two storeys does inactive frontages and neglected high and are built right up to the sites. The development of key sites pavement. with appropriate buildings would benefit the area. (see map)

6.0 Community involvement

A public consultation event will be held on 10th January 2007 as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative for the area. Local residents and businesses will be requested to comment on the appraisal at this event.

7.0 Suggested Boundary Changes Figure 18 Bath St

The Conservation Area was recently (b) Bridge St (Deansgate CA) extended in 2005 to include the The narrow frontages and proportions western section of St George’s Road. of commercial buildings along Bridge The townscape character is St adjacent to bark Street east have a consistently similar to the remainder of character and visual relationship more the area following the strong building appropriate to the St George’s line along St George’s Road. The

14 Conservation Area as opposed to the made bricks and sandstone Deansgate Conservation Area. It is dressings. proposed to thereby review the boundaries of these conservation Proposals should interpret the above areas and include this part of Bridge elements of character into good quality Street within the St George’s contemporary architectural styles, and Conservation Area. should also refer to guidance set out in ‘Building Bolton’. 8.0 Guidelines for Development Demolition New Development. Demolition will not usually be given to Opportunities for new development in demolish buildings which make a the Conservation Area are limited to a positive contribution to the character of few gap sites; new development the conservation area. should generally respect the character of existing buildings with respect to Street surfacing and furniture. siting, scale, proportions, materials and detailing. The relevant policies in Any original stone flags, setts and the Bolton UDP are set out in kerbs should be retained and re-laid appendix 1. Regard should also be where necessary. given to the following key aspects of character when considering proposals New paving should be in reclaimed or for new development: new stone. Concrete flags incorporating an appropriate • Buildings are generally two to aggregate may be acceptable in some three storeys, more storeys at locations. corners or landmark positions possible. Brick paving or black top should not be • Buildings directly adjacent to used as these materials are not in the footway or have a small set keeping with the character of the area. back, should follow adjacent building lines and provide Building Materials continuous building enclosure. • Long Narrow frontage plots Alterations should utilise traditional arranged in terraced groupings materials to match those used to are dominant, with occasional construct the building. These include individual buildings in landmark brick, stone, terracotta, slate, stone positions. Avoid large building flags and clay tiles, reclaimed local masses. stone, new stone or reconstituted • Horizontal emphasis of building stone. terraces is punctuated by regular vertically proportioned Strap or ribbon pointing should be window and door openings, avoided since this not only harms the multiple entrances from the appearance of the building but can street are an important feature. damage the stone or brick by • Rooflines are hipped with preventing the run off of water. gabled ends, skyline emphasis is from tower features such as External walls should not be painted, Spinners Hall, and views to St rendered or clad in modern materials. Georges Church tower should be protected. External cleaning should only be • Consistent palette of materials carried out to remove corrosive dirt. generally of orange/red hand Cleaning should be carried out by a specialist firm under close supervision.

15 Roof repairs or replacements should Decorative features including plaques, be in natural slate, stone flags or red mouldings and date stones should be clay tiles to match the existing retained. materials. Where ridge tiles need replacing these should be in stone or Windows and doors clay.

Stone window cills, lintels, door New rooflights may be acceptable but surrounds and stone steps should be these should be flush fitting and retained together with any original should not be on prominent roof windows and doors. slopes.

Any doorways or windows no longer in Rainwater Goods use should be retained and not blocked up. Replacement rainwater goods should be in cast iron or moulded aluminium Owners should be encouraged to use with a black coating. the following styles when replacing windows and doors. Boundary Walls and Gates

Eighteenth and early Nineteenth Brick and stone boundary walls, iron Century properties, vertical sliding railings and gates should be retained sash windows with glazing bars, six or and any repairs carried out using the eight fielded panelled doors. same materials and methods of workmanship. Late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century properties, vertical sliding Shop fronts and Advertisements sash windows, four panelled doors. The installation of traditional style Windows and doors should be made painted timber shop fronts will be of timber and should be painted. encouraged in appropriate buildings. Staining is not a traditional finish for This will include the use of stall risers, timber and should not be used. pilasters and cornices to frame the U.P.V.C. windows and doors are not shop window. Hand painted fascia acceptable as they are not in keeping signs and hanging signs will also be with the character of traditional encouraged. buildings. Advertisement consent will not be New windows and doors should be given for internally illuminated box recessed to the original depth and signs. The use of external lights and should not be fitted flush with the face concealed lighting will be encouraged. of the wall or project from it. Security shutters should preferably be Chimneys and Roofs fixed inside the shop windows and be of a perforated grille type to allow for a Chimney stacks should be retained. If view of the window display. If external rebuilding is necessary this should be shutters are unavoidable, they should in the same materials used to be incorporated into the overall design construct the remainder of the of the shop front with the shutter box building, this may be brick or stone concealed behind the fascia. The with clay pots. Where central heating shutter system should be colour flues are installed, these should be coated to match the colour of the shop contained within the original chimney front and the shutters should be pot or a traditional replacement. perforated.

16 Externally fixed shutter boxes which project from the facade of the shop, galvanised finishes and solid shutters are not in keeping with the character of the Conservation Area and are not acceptable.

Minor Fixtures

Standard external fixtures including satellite dishes, meter boxes, burglar alarms, central heating flues and security cameras should be sited in unobtrusive positions wherever possible. They should be colour coated to match the background materials i.e. walls or roofs.

Wheelie Bins

The layout of traditional properties can create difficulties for storing bins. Wherever possible they should be stored out of sight and not left out on the street or footway.

9.0 References

Bolton & District Civic Trust, Buildings of Bolton, 1983 Bolton Council UDP, April 2005 Bolton Council, Building Bolton November 2006. English Heritage, Streets For All, North West 2005. English Heritage, Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals, 2005 Hartwell, C, Hyde M, and Pevsner, N. The Buildings of England: : Manchester and the South East, 2004.

Contacts

Jackie Whelan Design and Conservation officer 01204 336051 Diane Vaughton Design and Conservation Officer 01204 336269

17 The desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or Appendix 1 appearance of Conservation Areas is prescribed by the Planning (Listed Unitary Development Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Conservation Areas represent a Plan significant element of Bolton's architectural and historical heritage and contribute to local distinctiveness. The Council will preserve or enhance Conservation Areas these areas through the control of development and through positive Conservation Areas represent a schemes of enhancement. The significant element of Bolton's number and extent of Conservation architectural and historical heritage. Areas in the Borough has been The council will preserve and enhance recently reviewed, with a total of 25 these areas through the control of Conservation Areas within the plan development and through positive area (Appendix 3). However, it is schemes of enhancement. possible that further Conservation Development which is allowed should Areas might be proposed during the contribute positively to the quality of life of the plan or the boundaries of the environment. The Council is existing Conservation Areas reviewed. empowered to designate further This policy outlines some of the Conservation Areas and will consider elements which the Council will take designating them as appropriate. into account when considering applications in Conservation Areas. D7. The Council will permit development proposals that D8. The Council will permit preserve or enhance the development proposals - character or appearance of involving the demolition of an conservation areas. They unlisted building or feature should: within a conservation area that (i) be of appropriate contribute to its character or height, size, design, appearance - provided that the materials, roofscape applicant can demonstrate that: and plot width; (i) rehabilitation is (ii) retain materials, impractical and there features, trees and is no viable new use open spaces that for the building; and contribute to the character or (ii) redevelopment would appearance of the produce substantial conservation area; benefits for the community that (iii) utilize appropriate would outweigh the materials for highway loss resulting from and footpath demolition; and surfacing; and (iii) detailed proposals (iv) not adversely affect for the reuse of the important views into, site, including any and across, a replacement building conservation area. or other structure, have been approved by the Council which

18 incorporates the character of the area within agreements made to a reasonable timescale. Before ensure that the demolition, the Council will replacement works require an assessment to will be carried out establish whether the building within a specified contains a protected species, timescale. such as bats (policy N9).

07.23 Conservation area consent 07.25 D9. The Council will require procedures for the demolition proposals for new or of most buildings within a replacement shopfronts in conservation area are dealt Conservation Areas to: with under Section 74 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and (i) respect the period Conservation Areas) Act 1990. and style of the Under the consent procedures, building and relate to the Royal Commission on the it as a whole; Historical Monuments of (ii) be of a high standard England must be notified of all of design, and use proposals to demolish listed appropriate buildings, and allowed access materials; to buildings that it wishes to (iii) avoid the use of record before demolition takes large expanses of place. For unlisted buildings undivided glass; within a conservation area, in (iv) include historically the case of a demolition accurate detailing; proposal the Council will in where the proposal is specific instances condition of traditional any consent, requiring character; and recording. There is a general (v) retain any features of presumption in favour of architectural or retaining buildings and features historic interest. which make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the 07.26 Shopfronts can play an Conservation Area. Applicants important part in establishing the should refer the Conservation unique character of town centres. The Area Character Assessments Council will endeavour, through control which identify buildings and of development and design advice, to features of particular interest improve the standard of shopfronts in and note. the Conservation Areas in particular. Where the building involved is ‘listed’, 07.24 Demolition of buildings in the introduction of a new shopfront or Conservation Areas may lead changes to an existing one will almost to the creation of ‘gap sites’, always require Listed Building which can remain vacant for Consent. Because of the historic and long periods before architectural interest of these areas it redevelopment takes place, will be essential that shopfronts should damaging the appearance of not conflict with the style or period of the area. It is therefore the building, weakening its character important that consent should and its contribution to the area as a not be given for demolition whole. Equally the quality of the unless it is clear that the site design must be high: poorly will be redeveloped in a way proportioned shopfronts, for example, which will preserve or enhance will detract from the visual quality of

19 the area. Large expanses of undivided glass are a feature of modern shopfronts, and conflict with the historic character of these areas, as well as reducing the interest of the building in order to let the displayed goods predominate.

Applicants should refer to Planning Control Policy Note 4 – Shopfronts.

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Appendix 2: Historic Maps

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Appendix 3: Conservation Area Appraisal Maps

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