S4 Heritage Assets

S4 Heritage Assets

The Borough’s heritage assets will be protected, conserved and where possible, enhanced through the direct action of the Council and through the support of the local community and environmental agencies. The Borough’s heritage assets include:

conservation areas and statutorily listed buildings;
canals;
locally important buildings and structures;
archaeological sites and remains; and
public art.

1.27 The Council recognises the need to safeguard the heritage of the Borough and so protect and enhance the special qualities and settings of both conservation areas and buildings statutorily listed as being of particular national historic or architectural merit.

1.28 Dudley’s extensive network of canals represent a major heritage asset in its own right. A Strategy for Dudley’s Canals has been approved by the Council, following extensive public consultation. The strategy sets down guidelines for future development on canalsides and identifies opportunities for new development and other environmental enhancements. The proposals contained in this strategy have been taken forward in the UDP.

1.29 However, Dudley Borough’s built heritage is by no means confined to conservation areas, nationally important buildings and canals. The distinctive character and interest of the Borough’s many individual settlements is often enhanced and given definition by ‘keynote’ buildings that may not meet national standards but nevertheless have a distinct local resonance, and make a highly valuable contribution to the locality. Such buildings are also worthy of an appropriate level of individual protection.

1.30 Dudley also has a rich archaeological heritage with sites and structures ranging in date from the Stone Age to the Industrial Revolution. Such remains include buildings of archaeological significance and a wide range of earthworks and buried deposits of different types and periods. In addition, semi-natural historic features such as hedgerows and fields, mill ponds and watercourses, woodland banks and boundary ditches, together constitute the man-made physical backdrop to the Borough’s countryside and open spaces.

1.31 The UDP recognises that the archaeological sites in the Borough comprise a fragile resource, which is both finite and diminishing. Preservation is therefore a key concern.

1.32 Public Art should continue to play a role in defining local distinctiveness, in assisting urban regeneration, promoting wellbeing and adding to the cultural character of the Borough.

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