Part Two: Centres and Site Allocations (Regulation 18)
Historic Environment
3.24 The historic environment and heritage assets are to be protected, conserved and enhanced as per Local Plan Policy DLP55 – DLP62. This section sets out those characteristics of the most importance to the Stourbridge Town Centre inset plan area.
Policy DLPS6 Conservation and Enhancement of Local Character and Distinctiveness in Stourbridge
- All development proposals should take account of the locally distinctive character of the area in which they are to be sited, including its historic character, and should respect and respond to its positive attributes. Physical assets (buildings, sites or areas together with their settings) whether man-made or natural that positively contribute to the local character and distinctiveness of Stourbridge's landscape and townscape should be retained and wherever possible enhanced and their settings be respected.
- New development in Stourbridge should be designed so as to reinforce and enhance local distinctiveness and full reference should be made in Design and Access Statements accompanying planning applications to the Stourbridge Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation. Design and Access Statements should clearly set out the steps that have been taken to achieve locally responsive outcomes through either traditional or more contemporary design solutions.
- In respect of major individual developments or in relation to particularly environmentally sensitive areas, developers may in future themselves be required to commission more detailed "Local Area Character Appraisals" (as defined in the councils latest Dudley Historic Environment SPD) in order to inform specific land use proposals more fully.
- In cases where changes of character or demolition are unavoidable Dudley Council will seek to ensure that provision is made for an appropriate level of archaeological recording to take place prior to the alteration of the features concerned.
- Proposed developments located within the High Street Stourbridge Town Centre Conservation Area and Stourbridge Branch Canal (Canal Street) Conservation Area will be determined with particular reference to the NPPF, Stourbridge Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation, adopted Conservation Area Character Appraisals and will need to meet the requirements set in Local Plan Policy DLP56
Justification
3.25 The Stourbridge 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 the towns character.
3.26 The study describes the historical development of Stourbridge and identifies 19 Historic Townscape Character Zones within the Town Centre and beyond (plan DLP S6). 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. In addition to the High Street Stourbridge Conservation Area and the Stourbridge Branch Canal (Canal Street) Conservation Area (designated heritage assets), locally significant areas of high historic townscape and landscape value have been identified alongside individual heritage assets of varying significance, including Archaeological Priority Areas (APAs).
Figure 3.3: Stourbridge UHLC Boundary and Character Zones
Stourbridge Ring Road
3.27 One of the greatest design challenges that faces Stourbridge is to improve and raise the profile of the routes into and out of the Town Centre from the surrounding areas across the ring road.
(1) Policy DLPS7 Stourbridge Ring Road
- Measures shall be encouraged which seek to reduce the visual impact of the ring road, including its dominance as a robustly urban and vehicle dominated space, and its sense of enclosure. Such measures should reduce the ring road's severing effect, which currently disassociates the Town Centre from its surrounding areas.
- Gateways shall be formed at the interface between the Town Centre and the ring road. These spaces shall be enhanced to function as entrance points to the town, with each named to provide a distinctive sense of place. Public art and hard and soft landscaping should be incorporated to emphasise their visual distinctiveness including the planting of new trees. New development which encroaches into these spaces or otherwise compromises their function will be resisted.
- Any development within the ring road corridor shall provide an active frontage onto it and therefore a 'welcoming face' to the town. Development comprising the conversion of existing buildings within the ring road corridor will be expected to remedy any dead frontages onto it.
- No new advertisement hoardings shall be granted express consent within 30 metres of the edge of the ring road corridor.
- The existing subways under the ring road will continue to be enhanced, in particular to provide a light, secure and safe environment.
Justification
3.28 The ring road functions effectively in channelling traffic, but it is the dominant infrastructure within the town and, as a result, constrains pedestrian movement, funnelling people into subways under the multi-lane highway.
3.29 The ring road also has had the effect of severing existing development blocks, leading to the exposure of the backs and sides of buildings and service areas, some of which are enclosed by advertisement hoardings (which serve to further reinforce the visual dominance of the ring road corridor). This gives rise to a fragmented environment. Potential improvements to the public realm of these areas could be achieved through the introduction of public art, such as green walls and murals.
3.30 It is vital that new development has an active frontage onto the ring road and improves permeability, giving preference to pedestrian and cycleway connections across the ring road, greening the fringes and redressing the entrances at the outward face of the Town Centre.
