Send this page to a friend

Historic Buildings

Bridgnorth district has a rich heritage of historic buildings, towns and landscape and a wide range of rare and interesting plants, animals and other wildlife and geological and archaeological features.

These are important assets, which should not be forgotten or underestimated.

They help to provide an attractive environment for work and relaxation and offer wide ranging opportunities for tourism and employment.

However, landscapes and townscapes are constantly evolving and changing. Some changes can have a dramatic and adverse effect on these natural and manmade assets.

In examining what and how to conserve, we do not wish to halt or unreasonably obstruct new development. Conservation does not imply stagnation.

Change will be resisted if it would result in the loss of architectural, historic or natural heritage. The emphasis will be on control for the wider public benefit, rather than prevention. Indeed recognition of areas of value can itself sometimes encourage change and promote enhancement.

We will achieve long term conservation and enhancement of the built and natural environment in a number of ways.

(1) The promotion of high standards of design and the discouragement of the mediocre.

(2) Working with other agencies to facilitate achievement of its objectives.

(3) Encouraging community and volunteer groups to be involved in understanding protecting and enhancing the environment.

(4) Financial commitment and investment from public sources.

Buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest (Listed Buildings)

Many buildings in the district are 'listed' because of their architectural or historic interest.

The lists are compiled by the Department for Culture Media and Sport and anyone wishing to demolish, extend or alter a listed building must first obtain consent from the council.

We will draw to the attention of the Department of National Heritage individual buildings which are suitable for inclusion in the statutory list and which may be under threat of demolition, dereliction or adverse alteration.

Such buildings are irreplaceable assets which, apart from telling us about our past social and economic status and technological and architectural achievements, are an important part of the character of towns, villages and countryside. Often individually, or as groups, they are a delight to look at.

As at March 2007 there were 1491 listed buildings in the District of which 17 were Grade I, 83 were Grade II* and 1364 were Grade II.

Many listed buildings will face some direct change or threat during their lifetime, such as change in ownership, alteration, extension, conversion, renovation, demolition or neglect.

Others will face indirect change through developments which affect their setting, for example road widening, development in their grounds, loss of trees or demolition of out-buildings.

In cases of neglect, and where attempts at persuasion and offer of grant aid (where appropriate) have failed, we will not hesitate to use our statutory powers to serve notices on the owners of listed buildings to ensure that they carry out their responsibility to repair and maintain these buildings.

Government advice makes it clear that we must pay special regard to the desirability of preserving a listed building including its setting and any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

The number of listed buildings is limited and there should be a presumption in favour of preserving them.

The majority of listed buildings are still capable of beneficial use and with skill and understanding, new development and new uses can be accommodated satisfactorily.

In considering proposals for alteration or demolition we will have regard to:-

(a) the importance of the building, in its own right and in relation to its environment

(b) its architectural and historic interest, key features and detailing (both exterior and interior), its plan form and proportion, use of materials

(c) the condition of the building, the cost of repair in relation to its importance, the availability of grants and the economic value of the building when repaired

(d) the importance of any alternative use for the site and the opportunity to enhance the environment

(e) open spaces, landscaped or not, surrounding the building, existing trees and tree cover

(f) the relationship of the listed building to outbuildings.

The setting of a listed building is often an essential feature of its character not only in relation to its own grounds and outbuildings, but also in its appearance in a street scene or a rural landscape.

New development must take account of this and avoid obscuring important viewpoints or aspects of a listed building.

Planning policies relating to listed buildings can be found in the 'Conservation of the Built Environment' chapter of the Bridgnorth District Local Plan.

Conservation Officer
Development Services Department

Request advice about Historic Buildings online

Request Listed Building information and advice online.

Email: devpol@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk; or

Tel:01746 713148

For information on Historic Building Grant applications and to obtain an application form Click Here