Wordsley Hospital Character Appraisal

Dudley Council's Historic Environment Section has produced a Conservation Area Character Appraisal for Wordsley Hospital.

The Conservation Area Character Appraisal can be downloaded below at the end of this page.

The Appraisal

In brief summary, the appraisal concluded that the special interest that justifies the designation of Wordsley Hospital Conservation Area derives from the following features:

• Its significance as part of the early 19th to early 20th century development of the Borough;

• The group value of surviving buildings and spaces related to the former use as both workhouse and hospital as a largely self contained complex;

• Its social significance as a tangible link to social attitudes, in light of national policy in dealing with the disadvantaged within the community and its importance as a historic record of the development of care in the Borough;

• The architectural and historic interest of the area's historic buildings, both locally and nationally.

• Local details that collectively and individually give the conservation area a distinctive identity i.e. the strong sense of enclosure, the quality of surviving historic buildings, the survival of intact detailing, the institutional character and the relationship to open space.

The appraisal also identified certain weaknesses that currently detract from the character and appearance of the area, for example:

• Negative buildings or sites.

• Weak streetscape

• Inappropriate alterations to buildings

• Condition of open spaces and green areas.

• Potential for loss of traditional boundary structure.

• Retention and opening of important views into and out of the conservation area.

How the Appraisal was produced

Public Consultation on the Draft Appraisal took place between 22nd January and 19th February 2007. The comments received were collated and summarised in the Public Consultation Report, which is included within the final Appraisal document. The Appraisal was approved for publication at the Development Control Committee on the 19th March 2007.

The effects of Designation

Designation as a conservation area brings a number of specific statutory provisions aimed at assisting the "preservation and enhancement" of the area. These controls include requiring Conservation Area Consent for the demolition of any unlisted building, fewer permitted development rights for alterations and extensions, restrictions on advertisements and requiring notice for proposed tree works.

Proposals for the Future Management of the Conservation Area

The appraisal sets out a set of management principles that the Council will adhere to when considering any new proposals. The following are proposed in order to achieve the preservation and enhancement of the Conservation Area's special character:

• Dudley Council will seek to ensure that all unlisted buildings and structures of a positive contribution to the area are protected from inappropriate alteration, extension or unjustified demolition.

• Dudley Council will seek to ensure that important views within, into and from the conservation area are respected and protected from inappropriate forms of development.

• Dudley Council will seek to resist proposals to remove traditional boundary walls or to promote new boundary treatments which fail to respect the form and materials of existing traditional boundary treatments in the area.

• Dudley Council will seek to work with partners to ensure that any new highway works will bring a positive improvement to the conservation area. All works should accord with English Heritage Guidance.

• Dudley Council will endeavour to ensure that areas of open space are managed and protected from development. It will explore landscape enhancements and provide information for the local history of the area and past use of the site.

Further Information

If you require any further information about the Appraisal or conservation areas in Dudley, please contact us using the details below.