Dudley Council’s Historic Environment Section has produced a Conservation Area Character Appraisal for Dudley Town Centre. It defines the special significance of this historic market town and puts forward proposals for future conservation and enhancement.
The Designation of a new Conservation Area
Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area was designated on 17th March 2005. At the same time the former Priory Street Conservation Area was superceded and the boundary of Castle Hill Conservation Area was revised. The plans can be downloaded from the conservation area download page
Select from the links below to download a copy of the Public Consultation Report or see a map showing the revised/new boundaries.
The Conservation Area Character Appraisal studies and analyses the character, appearance and special historic and architectural interest of the whole area of Dudley Town Centre. This included re-evaluating the boundaries of two existing conservation areas (the Castle Hill Conservation Area and Priory Street Conservation Area).
Conclusions
The Appraisal reached the conclusion that:
- a strong case can be made for a new conservation area designation to cover the whole of Dudley Town Centre;
- a slight amendment of the boundary of the Castle Hill Conservation Area should be made to follow that of the historic Castle Grounds, rather than taking in part of the town centre as at present.
The conclusions of the appraisal are fully in accordance with the Draft Area Development Framework for Dudley and the two initiatives will work in tandem.
How the Appraisal was Produced?
Public consultation on the Draft Appraisal took place between 27th September and 15th November 2004. The comments received have been collated and summarised in the Public Consultation Process report. The finalised document, which incorporates the results of the public consultation exercise, was approved by Development Control Committee on 20th December 2004.
Committee Recommendations
The Committee:
- Recommended to the Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration the designation of a new Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area and a revised Castle Hill Conservation Area.
- Approved the publication of the finalised Character Appraisal for Dudley Town Centre as supplementary planning guidance.
How might designation affect you?
The Council is well aware that conservation areas are home to many people and businesses, with needs that must also be considered and that the vitality of the Town Centre must also be sustained and improved. The Council is, however, also committed to ‘give priority and special attention to conservation areas”.
The Council will, therefore, apply certain criteria when assessing planning applications and other proposed changes in these areas:
- To be acceptable proposals will have to demonstrate that they either preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area.
- There are also some additional restrictions on what would otherwise be permitted development for commercial properties. Nevertheless this involves only a very limited increase in the circumstances in which there will be a need to apply for planning permission. Commercial buildings (unlike dwellings) have few permitted development rights and any material alteration will, in any case, already require an application to be made for planning permission.
- Demolition within a Conservation Area comes under planning control and there is a requirement in this respect for an application to be made for “Conservation Area Consent” before demolition can be authorised.
- All proposals for works to trees within a conservation area must also be referred to the local planning authority.
If you require any further information about the Appraisal or conservation areas in Dudley or please contact us as follows:
The Historic Environment Section
Address: Dudley MBC, 3 St James’s Road, Dudley , West Midlands DY1 1HZ
Email: The Historic Environment Team.
