NORTHWICH ` CONSERVATION AREA VOLUME 1: CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL UPDATED AUGUST 2018 NORTHWICH TOWN CENTRE – CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AUGUST 2018 Northwich Conservation Area Appraisal Latest Revision 2018 Revised in 2015 by: www.heritageregeneration.co.uk Original documentation in 2010 and 2013 by: Updated August 2018 Page 2 of 71 NORTHWICH TOWN CENTRE – CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AUGUST 2018 CONTENTS VOLUME 1 – CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL PREFACE . Revised edition of Conservation Area Appraisal, 2016 . Background to the Study . Scope and Structure of the Study . Existing Designations, Legal Framework for Conservation Areas and the Powers of the Local Authority 1.0 LOCATION 1.1 Geographic Location 1.2 Topography and Geology 1.3 General Usage (e.g. residential) 1.4 Conservation Area Boundary and Character Zones 2.0 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT 2.1 Early History and Origins 2.2 Industrial Development 2.3 20th Century Changes 2.4 21st Century Developments 2.5 Archaeology 2.6 Age Profile 3.0 TOWNSCAPE AND PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS 3.1 Grain, Scale, Repetition and Diversity 3.2 Principal Buildings and Features 3.3 Boundaries and Surfaces 4.0 ARCHITECTURE, MATERIALS AND DETAILS 4.1 Prominent Styles 4.2 Known Architects and Designers 4.3 Materials 4.4 Typical Features and Details 5.0 LANDSCAPE AND VISTAS 5.1 Setting and Relationship with the Surrounding Area 5.2 Character and Relationship of Spaces 5.3 Views and Vistas within the Area 5.4 Green Spaces and Planting 6.0 CHARACTER ZONES 6.1 Zone 1- Town Centre 6.2 Zone 2 - River Banks 6.3 Zone 3 – Verdin Park Area 6.4 Zone 4 – Castle Hill 6.5 Zone 5 - St Helen’s Church 6.6 Zone 6 – London Road/Leftwich Updated August 2018 Page 3 of 71 NORTHWICH TOWN CENTRE – CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AUGUST 2018 7.0 NEGATIVE FACTORS AND SCOPE FOR ENHANCEMENT 7.1 Overview 7.2 Effects of Recent Development on Townscape Character 7.3 Unsympathetic Alterations and Additions 7.4 Public Realm 7.5 Loss and Development Pressures 7.6 Repair and Maintenance 7.7 Consideration of Recently Approved Development Schemes 7.8 Opportunities for Enhancement VOLUME 2 – CONSERVATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN PREFACE . Background to the Study . Scope and Structure of the Study . Existing Designations, Legal Framework for Conservation Areas and the Powers of the Local Authority 1.0 ROLE OF MANAGEMENT PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION 2.0 SUMMARY OF SPECIAL CHARACTER 3.0 ISSUES, POLICIES AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOUNDARY AMENDMENTS AND PROVISION OF ARTICLE 4 DIRECTIONS APPENDICES Appendix A – Bibliography and Sources of Information Appendix B - Plan Showing Existing Boundary and Character Zones Appendix C - Plan Showing Relative Ages of Buildings within Zone 1 Appendix D - Plan Showing Relative Ages of Buildings within Zone 2 Appendix E - Plan Showing Location of Key Views and Landscaped Areas within Zone 1 Appendix F - Plan Showing Location of Key Views and Landscaped Areas within Zone 2 Appendix G - Plan Showing Contribution of Buildings within Zone 1 Appendix H - Plan Showing Contribution of Buildings within Zone 2 Appendix J – Building Descriptions Updated August 2018 Page 4 of 71 NORTHWICH TOWN CENTRE – CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AUGUST 2018 PREFACE Revised edition of Conservation Area Appraisal, 2016 Cheshire West and Chester was successful in a Stage 2 bid and activity plan for Townscape Heritage funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for Northwich and, as part of the supporting documentation, an updated version of the Conservation Area Appraisal is required. In August 2013, as part of the Stage 1 bid, Donald Insall Associates revised the document that had initially been prepared in 2010. This further revised document reflects additional changes ‘on the ground’ as at October 2016. Volume I: Conservation Area Appraisal has been reviewed and amended where appropriate. Associated maps have also been revised. Background to the Study This updated report has been prepared on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council. Its purpose is to clarify the designation of the Conservation Area, which will protect and enhance the character of the historic core of Northwich. Updated August 2018 Page 5 of 71 NORTHWICH TOWN CENTRE – CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AUGUST 2018 Scope and Structure of the Study The scope of this Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan is based on the guidelines published by Historic England: Conservation Area Designation Appraisal and Management, February 2016 (Historic England Advice Note 1): https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/conservation-area- designation-appraisal-management-advice-note-1/ and represents a factual and objective analysis. In accordance with the guidelines, the following framework has been used as the basis for this analysis:- . current and past land use . communication types and patterns . social and economic background . aspect, geology and relief . distribution, type and condition of designated and non-designated heritage assets . density, types and forms of buildings, gardens and green spaces . place names and earliest references The document has been structured to encompass these areas of study and concludes with recommendations for the Conservation Area boundary and other matters such as provision of Article 4 Directions. This report focuses on the Town Centre area and the area around the Weaver Navigation to the south. These areas forming the primary focus of the report are shown as the study area. The character and significance of the remainder of the Conservation Area is discussed briefly. The boundaries of the study area and the full Conservation Area are shown in Appendix A of this document. The character and relationship of the northern boundary of the Conservation Area and the regeneration of Northwich in the Barons Quay area is explained. Buildings have only been assessed from public areas. Updated August 2018 Page 6 of 71 NORTHWICH TOWN CENTRE – CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AUGUST 2018 Existing Designations, Legal Framework for Conservation Areas and the Powers of the Local Authority Since the 1967 Civic Amenities Act local authorities have been empowered to designate as Conservation Areas those areas within their districts which were considered 'special'. The subsequent Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act of 1990 consolidated those powers and defined Conservation Areas as:- "areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". Such areas are diverse. They may be large or small; residential or commercial; civic or industrial; old or relatively modern. They may represent social ideals or civic pride. They may be specifically designed or speculatively produced; modest or grand. They may contain Listed Buildings of architectural or historic interest or may simply have local historic association. However, common to all will be an identifiable environmental quality which should be protected from unsympathetic redevelopment or alteration. Cheshire West and Chester has 97 conservation areas, reflecting the variety of building styles and environments exhibited within its borders. These vary from small villages and hamlets to town centres, such as Northwich. Planning Policy Context National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) The NPPF of March 2012 streamlines planning legislation and, in relation to conservation and heritage matters, supersedes previous Planning and Policy Guidance notes (PPG 15 and 16) and the short lived Planning and Policy Statements (PPS 5). The NPPF outlines principles and policies for the implementation of the Act. Under Section 12 of the NPPF entitled Conserving the Historic Environment, paragraph 126 states: Local planning authorities should set out in their Local Plan a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats. In doing so they should recognise that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and conserve them in a manner appropriate to their significance. In developing this strategy local authorities should take into account: The desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation; Updated August 2018 Page 7 of 71 NORTHWICH TOWN CENTRE – CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AUGUST 2018 The wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring; The desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness; and Opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of the place. Para. 127 states: When considering the designation of conservation areas, local planning authorities should ensure that an area justifies such status because of its special architectural or historic interest, and that the concept of conservation is not devalued through the designation of areas that lack special interest. The NPPF is supported by Planning Practice Guidance (Conserving and enhancing the historic environment) published in April 2014. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/conserving-and-enhancing-the-historic- environment Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies The Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies is in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF and includes a strategic objective to ensure new development is of sustainable and high quality design that respects heritage