Abergele Conservation Area Appraisal

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17. PROBLEMS 17.1 One's impression of Abergele, at least from an outsider's viewpoint, is one of a pleasant town which serves the day to day needs of its residents and those who live in the countryside. It appears that Abergele compares well with some of the other towns in the County Borough. 17.2 For example, the number of vacant shops is low and there are no derelict sites in the centre requiring attention. There are, however, issues which need identifying and addressing. These can be listed as:- i) ii) iii) iv) Some poor quality shop fronts Some properties (commercial and residential) which require renovation and restoration of architectural detail. Poor state of back roads / service yards and footpaths Inappropriate door and window replacements and alteration fo window openings. v) vi) vii) viii) ix) Removal of front boundary walls to provide much needed off street car parking. Rendering resulting in loss of traditional detail and use of non-local materials Stained joinery on older properties Street clutter and poor quality of some road signs. Satellite dishes x) Reduction in height of chimney xi) Different door and window styles in terraces xii) Replacement of slate by concrete tiles xiii) Lack of attention to detail in repair work, e.g use of red sand for repointing limestone houses xiv) Inappropriate shop blinds xv) Disused public notice boards outside St Paul's Church xvi) Unsurfaced area by Citizens advice Bureau xvii) External clutter on buildings, eg cables xviii) Unsightly rear elevations of shops and other properties. 17.3 The “take-up” of grants (Commercial Renewal Area and the Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings) has been fairly low. Whilst a few worthwhile projects have been carried out under the Commercial Renewal Area Grant Scheme, perhaps public awareness of these grants is low and many people do not know that financial assistance may be available. 18. POLICIES FOR DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PURPOSES 18.1 The conservation area appraisal needs to provide a sound basis for development control and identify initiatives, which can be taken to promote the area in various ways. The framework for 13 ABERGELE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL
development control purposes is contained in the policies of the Colwyn Borough Local Plan. 18.2 In determining planning applications in the Abergele conservation area, the Council will have particular regard to the policies contained in the Colwyn Borough Local Plan. In addition, supplementary planning guidance will be relevant, in the emerging Council shop front design guide. 18.3 The Council should consider imposing an Article 4 Direction to control these elements of permitted development which can be demonstrated as having an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the conservation area. It has to be said that many houses have been modernised and changed, not always for the better, and whilst an Article 4 Direction may prevent further inappropriate changes, the imposition of planning control measures may be somewhat late. 18.4 The Conservation Area appraisal has identified a number of problems. Every type of problem cannot realistically be covered by policies in the U.D.P. and as such, supplementary planning guidance is required to be read in conjunction with the policies in the U.D.P. In more detail, the supplementary planning guidance relating specifically to the Abergele conservation area is listed below. It deals principally with shop front improvements and new shop front design, signage, building renovation (especially the canopies) boundary improvements, use of upper floor and other improvements. 1.There will be a presumption against the removal or demolition or substantial alteration of the remaining traditional shop fronts in the conservation area. 2.The Council will encourage the renovation and appropriate improvement of the traditional shop fronts through design guidance and advice and through the Council's grant schemes where funds permit. 3.A high standard of design will be expected for new shop fronts or alterations to existing shop fronts. 4. The Council will encourage and promote a high standard of design, detailing and use of appropriate materials in the design of new shop fronts or adaptation of existing shop fronts. The use of local materials, where appropriate, will be encouraged. The use of tropical, or other hardwoods, from non sustainable sources will be discouraged. 5. The Council will not accept planning applications for works for shop fronts unless they are accompanied by fully detailed and annotated drawings, to include half full size sections showing details of construction, decoration and the like. 6. There will be a presumption against the staining or varnishing of new joinery, unless it can be demonstrated that this type of finish is appropriate. 7. The Council will expect a high standard of design for advertisements. Advertisements / signage on shop fronts will normally only be permitted where they are confined to the fascia and respect both the character and overall appearance of the building on which they are displayed and the street scene in general. 8. The display of projecting signs will normally only be permitted where they are traditional hanging signs. 9. The Council will encourage the use of bilingual signs. 10. There will be a presumption against the use of Dutch style blinds/canopies. 11. The use of traditional fully retractable blends with an appropriate cover will normally be permitted where they do not obstruct vehicles or pedestrians. 12. The Council will encourage the renovation and improvements of the remaining canopies through design guidance and advice and through the Council's grant schemes where funds permit. The Council will encourage the use of traditional materials and designs and the reinstatement of missing details and decoration. 13.Demolition will only be permitted in exceptional cases and only where there are detailed ABERGELE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL 14
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Page 3 and 4: 2. ABERGELE CONSERVATION AREA BOUND
Page 5 and 6: 4. INTRODUCTION 4.1 Abergele Conser
Page 7 and 8: 7. STREET PATTERN 7.1 The main stre
Page 9 and 10: survive. Examples of pierced and fr
Page 11 and 12: listed below:- i) ii) iii) iv) v) v
Page 13: 15.8 The pine trees on the southern
Page 17 and 18: STREET PATTERN The main route throu
Page 19: BOUNDARY DESIGNATION The removal of

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