36 C O N T E X T 1 1 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 The whole of the Brierley Hill area was first assessed in relation to around 100 character areas identified by the Black Country HLC. As noted above, that study had relied mainly upon a desk-based assessment of historic mapping and did not set out to assess the relative significance of the historic assets. Through survey work and townscape appraisal on the ground in Brierley Hill, it proved possible for the Conservation Studio to identify nine larger character zones which held together in terms of date and general land use, and which had distinctive characteristics that distinguished them from each other. The UHLC contains maps of each individual character zone, showing buildings and spaces ranked in relation to the importance of the contribution they make or could in future make to local character and distinctiveness. The study identifies buildings to be proposed for statutory listing and local listing, and areas of particular archaeological importance. These were mapped. The designation of a new conservation area was recommended in order better to protect and enhance the historic Brierley Hill High Street. A further area of townscape to the west was newly identified as having conservation area potential. Urban design guidelines were produced to guide the provision of complementary new development in historic areas sensitively. It is intended to use the information provided by the UHLC to inform the development of the new town centre further through the preparation of a supplementary planning document on design. This information has informed and positively influenced the development strategy for the new town centre, guiding land use allocations and allowing the sensitive treatment of individual development blocks by directing major change towards the least historically sensitive locations, wherever possible. Through being spatially expressed, the results of the UHLC are very recognisable to the range of specialist practitioners inputting similarly spatial data to the area action plan process. This has encouraged constructive dialogue and allowed the furtherance of conservation objectives through proactive negotiation where necessary. Having fully mapped the historic environment, the potential exists to highlight opportunities for positive change by promoting locally responsive new development and enhancement schemes that contribute to the positive augmentation of local distinctiveness. In this regard the UHLC also underpins proposed area action plan historic environment policies that seek generally to safeguard and enhance local distinctiveness, promote and protect the area’s canals, positively manage the new conservation area and preserve archaeological priority areas. Within this policy context, the UHLC will be used to test planning applications with regard to their responsiveness to the locally distinctive characteristics of Brierley Hill. Intending developers are expected to make use of the framework provided. Design and access statements accompanying planning applications must be prepared with full reference to the UHLC. They must clearly show how the proposals have taken account of its findings in order to produce a locally responsive, high-quality design that, wherever appropriate, conserves significant heritage assets. Dudley has recently completed a further UHLC in support of a supplementary planning document for the borough’s Glass Quarter. This covers a number of townships that were at the heart of 18th and 19th century crystal glass production. Historic characterisation is currently being carried out in support of both the Stourbridge and Halesowen Area Action Plans, again resourced through the local development framework. Building on these initiatives, officers of the historic environment team are running a series of CPD sessions for our development control colleagues to encourage the active use of historic characterisation. Pete Boland is principal conservation officer and borough archaeologist for Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and convenor of the ALGAO Historic Buildings Committee. References Brierley Hill Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation Study: http://www.dudley.gov.uk/ environment--planning/planning/ historic-environment/historic-landscapecharacterisation-hlc/brierley-hillurban-historic-landscape-charac Brierley Hill Area Action Plan: www.dudley.gov.uk/ environment--planning/planning/ local-development-framework/bhill-aap Brierley Hill Town Centre: proposed designations (Image:The Conservation Studio) Brierley Hill Town Centre: development blocks (Image: David Lock Associates)
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