BWood Appraisal.indd - Burnley Borough Council

Landscaping, Open Spaces, Views and Trees3.4.13 In the first half of the 19th Century some gardens existed off Hufling Lanestraddling the railway at the rear of Organ Row. Bennett (III p261) states that these“pleasure gardens contained fruit, a labyrinth/ puzzle walk, and a small zoologicalcollection” The houses on Brooklands Road now occupy the site.3.4.14. Towneley Park lies to the east of Todmorden Road, just outside the boundary ofthe Nap area and is a designated Historic Park and Garden(See Plan A). It is verypossible that the park setting attracted the larger villadevelopments on Todmorden Road to the area. Thebuildings faced the park to take advantage of theviews to Towneley and countryside beyond as openspace did not exist within the dense urban core ofthe town. Today the views into the park have beenobstructed by development to the east of TodmordenRoad, but glimpses into the park can still be seen fromroad junctions.3.4.15. The ten Tree Preservation Orders(See Plan A & 3.3.1.17-25 & 27) in place withinBrooklands Road,Kingsland Road, and TodmordenRoad recognise the importance of trees to the historyand character of the area.Trees dominate the scene on Todmorden RoadTowneley Station [T]3.4.11 The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company completed the construction ofa line between Manchester and Leeds in 1841. This line was so successful that thecompany built a line between Burnley and Todmorden linking towns in north eastLancashire with this main Manchester- Leeds line (Bennett III, pg.161). Completed in1849, the Burnley to Todmorden line runs along the edge of Burnley Wood forming thewestern boundary of the NAP area. Towneley Station was situated at Hufling Laneand to the south of the station, mainly outside the NAP boundary, sidings developedto serve Towneley Colliery. Although the Station and sidings are no longer functioning,the line and signal box remain in use. Towneley Station house is now solely inresidential use.3.4.12 Little evidence remains of the traditional cobbledstreets of the 19th Century and parked cars now dominatemuch of the street space and are changing its urbanquality. There are areas of cobbles remaining between No1- 25 Brooklands Road (See Plan F, Cobbles). Theirretention appeals both aesthetically and in evokingmemories of days gone by. The properties on BrooklandsRoad have areas of modern ʻcobble effectʼ paviors at theirentrances. This detailing is sympathetic to the areashistoric context.Changes and Present Character3.4.16. The Brooklands Road and South Todmorden Road area has experienced verylimited change and retains its original character of low density, predominantlyresidential use in a private, well-treed environment. There is a sustained demand forthe properties for their original use, with a subsequent lack of vacancy or dereliction.Planning policies and conservation area and Listed Building regulations have servedto maintain this character, although present Government guidance for concentration ofnew residential development on brownfield sites could result in increased pressure fordevelopment of garden areas. Overall, this remains anattractive, well-maintained residential area3.4.17. The Todmorden Road area north of HuflingLane has experienced only limited change andremains, for the most part, in residential use. Somelarger properties have been converted tocommercial use, but this has not significantly affectedtheir external character and appearance. There is amodern retail development on Todmorden Road, whichdoes not contribute to the historic character but helpsto maintain the thriving street frontage.Todmorden Road Spar ShopBrooklands Road - Stone cobbles on the drivewaymeet modern setts at the pavement.13 heritage appraisalheritage appraisal 14