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Public workshops to review Ripon Conservation Area
7SEPTEMBER 2007: PEOPLE
with an interest in protecting the unique character of Ripon
are being invited to attend two workshops being held by Harrogate
Borough Council's Heritage and Design Team, which will start the
process of an appraisal of the city's conservation
area.
The Harrogate district is proud of its natural and built
heritage and it depends on additional controls in conservation
areas to help protect these important elements.
Ripon City's Conservation Area was adopted in March 1969 and
was extended in 1976 and twice in the 1990s which included an
extension to preserve the character of the approaches into the city
encompassing North Street, the flood plain of the River Ure to
either side of North Bridge, and Boroughbridge Road together with
the Canal as far as the by-pass. Additionally
approaches on Studley Road, Clotherholme Road and Kirkby Road were
included for the same reason.
But it is now over 10 years since all of the district's 52
conservation areas were last reviewed.
Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and
Transport, says the time is right to evaluate the special interest
of conservation areas and to understand how the local community
values the special qualities of this small but important North
Yorkshire city. He said:
"Ripon's historic importance is everywhere you look - from John
Aislabie's 18th century Obelisk to the Grade I listed
cathedral and the Grade II* listed Wakeman's
House. As well as in its public parks and open
spaces. Ripon has undergone a recent renaissance
that continues today with the long awaited re-development of west
of the Market Place. But in the main new
developments have not impacted on the character of the city and we
want that to continue.
"Throughout the review of the conservation area, we want to
involve local people, whether they have a business or a home in the
city which is why we are holding these
workshops. The appraisal process will provide
the basis for the positive management of the conservation area for
the future."
The workshops will be held as follows:
Ripon north 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm on Monday, 24 September 2007 at
Community House, Allhallowgate
Ripon central and south 9.30am to 1.00 pm on Saturday, 29
September 2007 at Thorpe Prebend, St Marygate.
Numbers are limited so please book a place by emailing
tony.robinson@harrogate.gov.uk or by phone 01423-556589.
The findings of the workshops will help in preparing a draft
document for formal public consultation and, following this, a
final version will be used to assist in the planning of the
area.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The following is a list
of what those who attend the workshop will look at:
- How the town looks - size, layout, how buildings relate to the special nature of this historic town.
- How commercial activities have influenced building types and layout.
- Building forms and building materials, which influence building design. Significant local details. Particular buildings that are attractive landmarks. Those that contribute to the attractiveness of the area or are detrimental to it.
- Spaces around and between buildings. Larger open spaces that contribute to the character of the area such as greens, fields or large gardens.
- Hard (paving, walls, roads etc.) and soft (trees, planting, hedging etc) landscape, parks, woodland and the river.
- How existing activity in and around the Conservation Area impacts on its character.
- Significant changes, eg pvcu windows, dormers, loss of spaces about buildings, poor development in or just outside the Conservation Area. Particular problems, pressures and capacity for change.
- What needs to be improved? For example paving and wall repairs, or more tree planting.
If you would like a map of the current conservation area, this
can be forwarded to you