East Suffolk Council
Proposed alterations to Conservation Areas in Southwold
East Suffolk Council is inviting people to have their say on a series of proposed changes to Conservation Areas in Southwold.
Under the proposals, the existing Southwold Conservation Area would be extended to become amalgamated with the northern part of the Southwold Harbour and Walberswick Quay Conservation Area.
The proposals also comprise a further six extensions to the existing Southwold Conservation Area.
East Suffolk Council has written to householders whose properties would be affected by the proposals, which follow fieldwork to assess the merit and feasibility of amalgamating existing areas.
Conservation Area status is granted to help preserve or enhance the unique character of an area with special architectural or historic interest, giving the local planning authority extra controls over demolition, minor development and alteration, and the protection of trees.
Cllr David Ritchie, East Suffolk Council cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management, said:
“Southwold is among the most picturesque and popular locations in the district and already has a Conservation Area that includes much of the historic town.
“Local planning authorities are required to periodically review which areas hold special architectural or historic interest and should be designated as Conservation Areas.
“The last review of Southwold was in 2008, so it’s timely for us to consider whether other parts of the town are also worthy of designation, or of being added to the existing Conservation Area.”
Under the proposals, the existing Southwold Conservation Area would be extended in a southerly direction, encompassing both the beach and the denes east of Ferry Road, to join the northern extension of the Southwold Harbour and Walberswick Quay Conservation Area.
The southern section of the Southwold Harbour and Walberswick Quay Conservation Area would remain independent of the Southwold Conservation Area, due to the distinction between the two shores, and would instead be amalgamated with the Walberswick Conservation Area due to its close proximity and shared character.
Meanwhile, a further six extensions to the existing Southwold Conservation Area would incorporate the following locations:
The Common – open space bordered by Godyll Road, developed around the turn of the century, and featuring a number of high quality late-19th century residences, as well as the Grade II listed Roman Catholic Church.
Nursemaid’s Park – containing along its northern boundary some high quality late-19th and early-20th century villas, all identified as positive unlisted buildings, as well as the recently constructed memorial to prominent 15th century merchant, William Godyll.
Southwold Business Centre – constructed on the site of the former Suffolk Regimental Drill Hall and parade ground. The drill hall itself remains, erected in the 1930s using an innovative prefabricated ‘lamella’ roof, and intended to form part of the country’s defence in the lead-up to the Second World War.
2-8 St Edmunds Road – constructed in the early-1930s as social housing, reflecting the town’s approach to improving living conditions during the period.
Town Farm Character Area – to the north of Field Stile Road, developed from the 1890s onwards, featuring a number of especially high quality arts and crafts dwellings, including several by the London architect, Edward Charles Homer. North Road also contains social housing constructed by the town corporation, reflecting its proactive approach to alleviating social problems in this period
Northern Extension – to incorporate the North Parade Car Park, as well as the adjacent section of beach. This is a sensitive area which affects the setting of the pier, and the extension is intended to provide greater planning control. This area is also within the setting of the positive unlisted buildings proposed for the eastern end of North Road.
The draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Draft Supplement can be found here.
This consultation is now closed.
Click here for more information on Conservation Areas in East Suffolk.