NW CA cover:Layout 1 - North Norfolk District Council

North Walsham Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan8.2 Summary of issues - SWOT analysisStrengthsExcellent range of historic buildings dating mainly from the late 18th-early 19th centuries,giving a strong and distinctive identity to the town centre.Market Place.Good, well-defined space at centre of town, serving as the site for the weekly market.Good range of small & specialist shops.Moderate traffic through centre.Weekly market and fortnightly farmer’s market.Good facilities for surrounding area, including Paston College.Ease of parking near to centre.WeaknessesPoor surrounding townscape, including St Nicholas Court shopping arcade, car parksand large stores on periphery.Poor replacement shop fronts.Replacement of traditional features on unlisted buildings.Indifferent or poor siting and design for new houses.Condition of surfaces, particularly in courtyards adjoining Market Place/ Market St.Unappealing views out of centre, e.g. Vicarage St car park.OpportunitiesThreatsMarketing/promoting the strong Georgian character of the town centre.Possible redevelopment and/or landscaping of car parks, particularly Bank Loke carpark.Replacement of poor quality shop fronts.Redevelopment of St Nicholas Court.Possible redevelopment of Paston College Lawns site.Further enhancement of public realm, e.g. better street surfaces, lighting.Erosion of character through further inappropriate redevelopment.Loss of town centre shops due to large stores on outskirts.Lack of maintenance leading to town centre having run-down. Appearance.Continuing erosion of architectural character due to inappropriate changes to unlistedhistoric buildings.North Norfolk District Council67