Stafford Road Corridor Area Action Plan

management recommendations that can be consideredin the context of the AAP. These are as follows:• The appraisal makes recommendations for anextension to the boundary of the Conservation Areaand additions to the Local List of heritage assets. Theproposed extension would bring the remains ofcoaling stages, platforms and a railway engineturntable located adjacent to the canal in FowlersPlaying Fields into the conservation area boundary.The proposed additions to the Local List are theremains of covered loading bays at the former CeresWorks and the archaeological remains in FowlersPlaying Fields open space described above.• Design guidelines are given for new development thatwould affect the setting of the Conservation Area andthis has relevance for the several of the developmentopportunity sites adjacent to the canal.• Suggestions for future management andenhancement of the Conservation Area itself are alsoincluded.The Conservation Area Appraisal also contained asuggested policy approach to be incorporated into theAAP. Canalside design guidance would ensure theprotection and enhancement of the setting of theConservation Area in the context new developmenthappening in the area.Preferred Policy ApproachIt is important that any new development shouldenhance the setting of the existing Conservation Area,provide active attractive frontages to the canal and,where feasible, allow both visual and physical access tothis important heritage asset to the wider community.The Conservation Area Appraisal provides a clearjustification for the designation and articulates thespecial architectural and historic qualities of the area thatcan be used as a framework for planning decisions. Wedo not feel there is more than one option for this policyand that the Conservation Area Appraisal should formthe basis of the preferred policy approach.The policy could provide:• Guidelines for development of sites adjacent to thecanal should make specific reference to the heritagesignificance of the Conservation Area and its setting.• Give consideration to providing opportunities for newresidential moorings and canal related businesses inthe context of any new canalside developments.• Identify the circumstances where the council wouldseek to encourage improvements to existingcanalside boundary treatments where these aredetrimental to the character and appearance of theConservation Area, either voluntarily or by use of itsstatutory powers.If Housing Option 3 is included in the final AAP, then anydevelopment proposals would need to have clear regardto the proposed Conservation Area extension and willhave a strong influence on the scale and level ofdevelopment which will be acceptable in this location.QuestionsConserving and Enhancing theHistoric EnvironmentDo you agree that the areas and buildingsidentified by the HLC have significance that needto be taken into account when planningdecisions are being made?Do you agree with the preferred policy approach(Option 2)?Creating a Higher Quality More DistinctivePublic RealmDo you agree with the preferred policy approachto promote public realm improvements and highquality design at key locations?Are there any other gateways, focal points andfrontages that should be prioritised forimprovement in the area?Encouraging Distinctive New Developmentin Key LocationsDo you agree with the preferred policy approach(Option 2)?Are there any sites / areas that the AAP shouldidentify in relation to this?Wolverhampton Locks Conservation AreaDo you agree/disagree with the proposedextension to the Wolverhampton LocksConservation Area?Do you agree with the proposal to add theremaining wall associated with the coveredloading bays of the former Ceres Works to theWolverhampton Local List?Do you agree with the preferred policy approachto provide guidance for development within theConservation Area?DeliveryThe delivery of these policy areas will be strongly linkedto the development of sites and areas in the AAP. Thepolicy approaches will provide certainty and guidance todevelopers on what is considered acceptable, and thishas been prioritised to ensure important locations arehighlighted. Where appropriate the Council will prioritiseresources to deliver improvements, as well asencouraging the private landowners / developers to helpdeliver the successful regeneration of the area. TheCouncil has statutory powers to seek improvements toexisting canalside boundary treatments where these aredetrimental to the character and appearance of theConservation Area,30Options Report for the Development of the Stafford Road Corridor