Conservation area character appraisals Holyhead beach area Adopted 3 March 2005 Copyright Maps in this document are based upon the Ordnance Survey mapping with permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Licence No LA09001L For further information contact the Built Environment and Landscape Section Old photographs © Archive Service, Isle of Anglesey County Council Permission must be sought from the Council before reproducing any part of the document. Contents Executive summary Location plan Original boundary Boundary review and recommendations 1. Introduction 2. Conservation area 3. Community 4. Date designated 5. Reason designated 6. Location 7. Area covered 8. Setting 9. Historical background Population change Archaeology 10. Open spaces Trees and hedgerows 11. Townscape Views 12. The local economy 13. Physical fabric 14. Principal buildings 15. Positive and negative elements 16. Appendices Executive Summary This Conservation Area Character Statement will become a working Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) upon adoption. It supports Ynys Môn Local Plan 1996 (Policy 40) and the emerging Unitary Development Plan (Policy EN13) which states that the character and appearance of all designated Conservation areas will be protected from unsympathetic development. Enhancement of their character will be achieved by carrying out improvements and permitting suitably designed new development. This document will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. Circular 61/96 (paragraph 20) states that the quality of place should be the prime consideration in identifying, protecting and enhancing Conservation areas. This depends on more than individual buildings. It is recognised that the special character of a place may derive from many factors, including: the grouping of buildings; their scale and relationship with outdoor spaces; architectural detailing; and so on. Planning Policy Wales 2002 (paragraph 6.5.15) states that if any proposed development would conflict with the objective of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of a Conservation area, or its setting, there will be a strong presumption against the granting of planning permission. Summarised below are elements that contribute to the character and appearance of the Holyhead Beach Conservation area requiring preservation or enhancement. History Nearby excavations on Holyhead Mountain have unearthed Mesolithic Age tools and circular huts dating back 500 years B.C. The remains of a Roman Fort at St Cybi's Church are only a short distance away. By the Mid 18th century the Moran's Hotel, Marine Square and Eagle and Child Hotel, Victoria Terrace were catering for the stagecoach traffic bound for the Packet Boats. From 1841 onwards the area was transformed as work began on the construction of the Great Breakwater. Marine buildings, including lifeboat and coastguard stations, soon took advantage of the new harbour. Setting There is an abundance of open spaces which allow a feeling of spaciousness. The Conservation area is extensive in size and can be subdivided both geographically and characteristically into three distinct Sub-Areas (See diagram 10. OPEN SPACES). There are many fine views deemed worthy of protection (See 11. TOWNSCAPE 'Views'). Architecture The architecture of the buildings varies considerably from the grand houses of Soldier's Point and Porthyfelin to the traditional simple terrace found at Hibernia Row. There are seven Listed Buildings within the Conservation area boundary which retain original architectural details. The former Crown Property boundary wall of lime mortared random rubble, with matching cock and hen coping, remains to most parts intact. The opportunity for new build is limited. Any proposal should take into consideration the existing; character, setting views and style. Where existing buildings do not positively contribute to the special character of the area then replacement buildings could be allowed providing they satisfy the necessary criteria. Many of the buildings within the Conservation area have a maritime theme. The buildings in the vicinity of Marine Square are predominantly terraces. Boundary Review and Recommendations (See Appendix I and II) In order to preserve or enhance the special character of the Conservation area every effort should be made to conserve the existing open spaces. Any future developments within or adjacent to the boundary should have regard to the setting and style so as to harmonise with the existing buildings and landscape. Careful consideration should also be given to the size and scale of any new developments so that they are sympathetic to their surroundings. Further re-evaluation of the historical importance of the former railway line would suggest that the boundary should be redrawn so as to follow the south west line of what is now the Breakwater Country Park access road. By doing so the boundary would encompass the quarry bridge by the Boathouse Hotel, a second bridge further along the road and railway line rock cuttings. At the far western end the boundary should return eastwards to follow the boundary wall opposite so as to include the small triangular shaped area that acts as a field enclosure entrance. It is recommended that the boundary be extended to include this part of the former railway track line and field enclosure entrance. Historical research has also highlighted the importance of Marine Square as being one of the oldest Town Squares in Holyhead. It is recommended that the boundary be extended to the south-west to include the whole of the Square up to and including South Stack Hotel. The historic maritime connections, setting and architectural merits of the area surrounding the old Coastguard Station, Sailor's Home and Beach Road terrace are deemed worthy of inclusion within the Conservation area. It is recommended that the boundary be amended to include the above. 1. Introduction Conservation areas were created by the Civic Amenities Act of 1967 when it was decided that listing historic buildings individually was not enough to protect groups of buildings, which although not individually listed contributed to the character of the place as a whole, and their setting. It was also realised that the spaces between buildings, and trees, were also important elements and it was decided to protect whole areas to be called Conservation Areas. The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires local authorities to designate as Conservation areas “Any area of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. It is the character of areas, rather than individual buildings that the Act seeks to preserve or enhance. Conservation area designation should be seen as the prime means of recognising, protecting and enhancing the identity of places with special character. Quality of place should be the prime consideration in identifying Conservation areas although there can be no standard specification for Conservation areas. Designating a Conservation area does not prevent future change to buildings and their surroundings. It does mean, however, that the local planning authority when considering planning applications, including those which are outside a Conservation area but would affect its setting, must pay special regard to whether the proposed changes “preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation area”. The designation should enable the character of the area to be retained and controlled, ensuring that any new development is sympathetic to both the special architectural and historic interest of the area, but without affecting its function or prosperity. If a proposal involves the total or substantial demolition of a structure or a building within the Conservation area then “Conservation Area Consent” from the local authority will be required. Otherwise development in Conservation areas is dealt with through the normal planning application process. Subject to some exceptions trees are protected in Conservation areas and anyone proposing to cut down, top or lop a tree is required to give 6 weeks written notice to the local planning authority. Under section 69 of the Act there is a duty on local authorities to review their areas from time to time and to consider whether further designation of Conservation areas is called for. It is only by understanding the elements that contribute to the character and appearance of an area can we aspire to “preserve or enhance” it. Anglesey County Council is producing a character appraisal for each of the islands Conservation areas. These character appraisal documents will form the basis, along with policies set out in the Ynys Môn Local Plan and emerging Unitary Development Plan, for aiding development control within Conservation areas. Guidance on general policies that are material considerations in the determination of all planning applications in Conservation areas are included in Policy 40 Ynys Môn Local Plan (and also Policy EN13 of the emerging Unitary Development Plan). 2. Conservation area Holyhead Beach 3. Community The Conservation area lies within the community of Holyhead. 4. Date designated Holyhead Beach Conservation area was originally designated in June 1971. 5. Reason designated Most of Newry Beach evolved from agricultural land to an enclosed working area established during the construction period of the Great Breakwater. Later after completion of