Council Seeks Views on New Conservation Area Appraisal Plans

City of Wolverhampton Council is seeking views on proposed changes to further protect three existing conservation areas from harmful development.

A public consultation on Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans for Bushbury Hill, Vicarage Road (Penn) and Wightwick Bank will start on Monday (AUG 23) and run until October 11. 

The current appraisals for these three areas do not adequately support their designation, which means it is difficult to protect their special architectural and historic features when development is proposed. 

The new independent appraisals have been commissioned to provide strong, up-to-date evidence to better support and protect the three conservation areas. 

The appraisals recommend removing some land from the conservation area boundaries at Bushbury Hill and Vicarage Road (Penn) to create strong new conservation area boundaries, which can be robustly defended through the planning process.  None of the land suggested for removal from the Conservation Area boundaries is proposed for development in the Draft Black Country Plan, which is currently out for consultation (Black Country Plan (dudley.gov.uk). 

City of Wolverhampton Council deputy leader and cabinet member for city economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “We must follow Government criteria in setting out the boundaries of our conservation areas. 

“In line with that, these proposed changes will help us better protect the special architectural features or historic environment that make them unique and distinctive, so our citizens and future generations can continue to enjoy them. 

“We look forward to hearing people’s views and finalising robust plans to protect these precious spaces from harmful development.” 

The appraisals and details on how to respond will be available at https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/planning/conservation from Monday, August 23. 

Anyone who requires more information or would like a copy of any of the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans should call 01902 556026. 

There will also be an opportunity for local people to view the draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans and speak to Place Services and Council officers at drop in events at St Bartholomew’s Church Hall, Vicarage Road, on Monday, September 6 (2pm to 8pm) and St Mary’s Church Hall, Bushbury Lane, on Tuesday, September 7 (12pm to 6pm). 

Following the consultation period, all the comments submitted will be assessed and any necessary changes made to the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans before they are adopted for use in the planning process.