Town Hall Conservation Area - Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

which create visual clutter; excess poles could be removed. The first floor link built over
Exchange Street erodes this part of the street pattern and reduces linkages between the
Victoria Square and the Mawdsley Street conservation area.
Fig.24:The charity shelter at the north
end of Newport Street blocks views
down the street and has an unclear
function
5.2 Neutral areas
Some late 20 th century development has had a neutral impact on the character of the
conservation area due to an appropriate scale and compatible natural facing materials,
although the design quality is modest. The Wellsprings offices south of the Town Hall
and the Job Centre on Black Horse Street are examples of this. The 1960s retail
development on the east and north sides of Victoria Square are neutral in terms of their
scale and form.
5.3 General condition
The condition of historic buildings within the conservation area is generally good, with
most buildings appearing to be in active use and benefiting from regular maintenance.
Exceptions to this are the 1928 former co-op, Victoria Plaza, on Victoria Square/Oxford
Street, which is currently vacant, as is the retail property at No. 6 Oxford Street. This
report has not recorded the extent of upper floor vacancy.
The public realm is generally well maintained, although the paving on Oxford Street and
Newport Street is now in need of enhancement, due to the poor condition and quality of
materials. Traditional stone setts and paving on Le Mans Crescent appears in good
condition, although on one side roads the setts have been covered in tarmac.
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