Part Two: Centres and Site Allocations (Regulation 18)

Historic Environment

2.47 The historic environment and heritage assets are to be protected, conserved and enhanced as per Policies DLP55-DLP62. This section sets out those characteristics of the most importance to the Dudley Town Centre inset plan area and town centre specific policies.

Justification

2.48 The town of Dudley grew up around the foot of the castle and from the early medieval period up to the Civil War, Dudley changed little. In the 17^th Century, Dudley saw a steady expansion due to the growth of coal mining and iron working. The largest expansion of Dudley as a settlement is however mainly attributed to the 18^th and 19^th centuries during the Black Country's industrial heyday. Throughout this period of rapid expansion, Dudley kept its image as a bustling market town and today the marketplace is still a busy focal point located at the heart of the town centre.

2.49 Perhaps the most important aspect of Dudley's townscape lies in the survival of both the pattern of medieval streets and 'entries' and key landmarks such as the Castle and Zoo, Dudley Priory, the two town churches (both Grade II* listed) and the public monuments such as the Grade II* listed drinking fountain located in the centre of the Market Place.

2.50 Accordingly, the Dudley Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation (UHLC) and Conservation Area Character Appraisals for Castle Hill and Dudley Town Centre have been prepared and provide an up-to-date evidence base for managing the planning of the town centre from a historic perspective.

2.51 The historic importance of Dudley Town Centre is recognised as a major asset in delivering regeneration and enhancing the town centre as a tourist destination. Large parts of the inset plan area fall within either the Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area or the Castle Hill Conservation Area. In addition, there are three Scheduled Monuments (SMs) and the Priory Park (Registered Park and Garden).

2.52 Listed buildings, Conservation Areas and all other presently known sites of archaeological or historic interest in Dudley are recorded in detail within the Historic Buildings Sites and Monuments Record (HBSMR) held by the Council. Developers should always consult the Dudley HBSMR at the earliest possible planning stage and before considering any proposals for development which could adversely affect sites of archaeological or historic significance.

2.53 The UHLC provides the evidence base to inform an understanding of the town's historic character. This evidence should be used in considering how new development proposals and the enhancement of existing townscapes and landscapes should respect Dudley's character.

2.54 The study describes the historical development of Dudley and identifies eighteen Historic Townscape Character Zones within the Town Centre and beyond (see plan below). For each Character Zone, individual buildings and spaces have been identified, which contribute positively or otherwise to local character. Where physical evidence of historic character persists in the form of assets that make a positive contribution to local distinctiveness, such assets should be conserved and wherever possible enhanced. Locally significant areas of high historic townscape and landscape value have been identified alongside individual heritage assets of varying significance, including Archaeological Priority Areas.

2.55 In Dudley, it is considered that the whole extent of the medieval planned town should be an Archaeological Priority Area (APA) as identified on the Policies Map (and see Policy DLP59). In addition, there are also some specific sites associated with the glass industry such as the 18^th century remains of the cone belonging to the former Dudley Flint Glass Works, now located below Stone Street Square, that are also worthy of their own status as an APA.

2.56 The town centre has a high potential for the presence of significant archaeological remains dating from its medieval origins in the 12^th century right through its development during early modern periods to its growth and expansion during the Industrial revolution. Dudley Council's Historic Environment Record (HER) records sites in the inset plan area as having high potential for the survival of archaeological remains of regional or national importance but have yet to be designated. Dudley Council will consider the preservation of such archaeological remains when assessing planning applications, as well as identifying opportunities to make greater use of the archaeological resource in sustaining the area's character and distinctiveness (in accordance with Policy DLP59).

2.57 Areas of High Historic Townscape Value (AHHTV) have been identified through the Dudley Borough wide UHLC on the periphery of the inset plan boundary within residential areas around Priory and Wrens Nest, Churchfield Street, West Dudley, Blowers Green and Kate's Hill (as identified on the Policies Map and in Policy DLP56). The borough wide UHLC indicated that these areas exhibit a concentration of historic assets that make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness. As these areas represent historic settlement and suburban growth outside the town centre, it is important that routes are enhanced to these areas connecting with the town centre and new development (in accordance with Policy DLP56).

Figure 2.4: Dudley Town UHLC Boundary and Character Zones

Justification

2.58 Dudley Town Centre was designated as a Conservation Area in 2005. An updated Conservation Area Appraisal was adopted in 2015 and a Conservation Area Management Plan was adopted in 2017.

2.59 A Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme (THI) for the Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area has been in operation since 2008 (funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund). Phase 1 of the scheme (2009-2015) saw an investment of £4million towards the repair and reuse of 17 properties such as The Crown Public House, the Old Co-op, Baylies Hall and the Old Glass House (which in 2017 received a finalists Award from the RTPI National Award for Excellence). Phase 2 of the scheme has funded repairs to several other buildings, including Plaza Malls and Fountain Arcade and 203/204 Wolverhampton Street (the former Merlin's Bar).

2.60 In combination with other strategic regeneration initiatives, such as the public realm work in Stone Street, Coronation Gardens, Castle Street and the Market Place, plus the work undertaken by Dudley College with the creation of the town centre campus, they have collectively led to a demonstrable improvement in the quality of the Town Centre Conservation Area. There are however elements within the Conservation Area that do not preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. These have been identified in the Conservation Area Character Appraisal.

2.61 The Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal sets out the historic development of the Conservation Area and highlights those elements of the built or natural environment that contribute to its character and appearance. It also sets out the issues that currently negatively impact on the Conservation Area and which need to be addressed. The Appraisal identified eight-character areas, each with their own individual and definable character which collectively creates a sense of place within the Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area.

2.62 The Town Centre Conservation Area reflects the medieval extent of the town and includes the marketplace and the 18^th and 19^th century expansion to the north including the civic quarter, St James's Road and Ednam Road high quality housing. The relationship with the castle can still be appreciated in views from the town centre, although addressing connectivity between the two is a key objective. Buildings range in date from the 18th century to the present day and vary widely in style. Located throughout the Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area are a number of statutorily listed, locally listed buildings and non-listed historic buildings which have heritage value.

Justification

2.63 Castle Hill Conservation Area is an important area of townscape and landscape: an area of high historical, archaeological, geological, ecological, landscape, tourist and leisure value. It is primarily an area of open space and woodland stretching north to south and is located upon a large outcrop of Much Wenlock Limestone Formation strata deposited in the Silurian Period some 428 to 429 million years ago. The hill is a prominent geomorphological feature and icon of Dudley and the borough. The north of the Castle Hill is woodland which contains rock face exposures and ravines and provides a potentially valuable recreational resource as well as evidence of the Earl of Dudley's network of carriage drives developed over the earlier mineral railways associated with the late 18^th century limestone workings. It is the starting point for the borough's 'Limestone Way' which starts at Castle Hill and runs to Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve and Sedgley Beacon. It is also where Dudley Canal Trust provides access to the 18^th century canal system which runs under Castle Hill.

2.64 The imposing ruins and earthworks of the medieval castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I Listed Structure dominate the southern end of the hill, which is surrounded by the landscape and buildings of Dudley Zoological Gardens. This contains the listed collection of early 20^th century Zoo buildings by the Tecton Partnership. The geological interest of Castle Hill is internationally renowned and there is a unique legacy of a well-preserved limestone quarrying landscape of national significance, designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 2004. It displays evidence of both surface and underground limestone working with associated canals, limekilns, caverns and other structures dating from the late medieval period throughout the Industrial Revolution until the modern era. Additionally, the hill possesses a wealth of important ecological features.

2.65 The area of Castle Hill has been the subject of a 'Vision' (as outlined above) which have brought about a range of improvements to the Conservation Area; future developments associated with the Vision will need to continue to protect and enhance its historic features.

The Dudley Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation (UHLC) and the Castle Hill Conservation Area Appraisal (2015), in conjunction with the design information held in Dudley Council's Historic Environment Record (HER), should be used to inform proposals for future development and enhancement. The purpose of the following policy is to ensure the protection and enhancement of the very special and diverse components of Castle Hill so that they can co-exist without detriment to each other.