Give us your views on an updated character statement designed to help preserve, protect and enhance the special character of the Brunswick Town Conservation Area.
The last character statement was published 25 years ago and needs refreshing. Consultants RSK Group have been commissioned to review the area and oversee the development of the new statement. This will help guide future development proposals, ensuring designs are sensitive to and retain the unique character of the area.
It will also help developers produce proposals which are more likely to be successful and support council officers in providing consistent advice.
The conservation area includes:
- Brunswick Town, Adelaide Crescent and Palmeira Square
- Hove Lawns
- the buildings on the north and south sides of Western Road, between Little Western Street in the east and First Avenue in the west; and
- the north-south aligned streets between Western Road and Lansdowne Road.
Historic development
The original development of Brunswick Town began in the 1820s and its street layout and buildings have largely survived intact since.
An 1830 Act of Parliament required all buildings in Brunswick Square, Brunswick Terrace and Brunswick Place (south) to be regularly repainted to a uniform colour, and this still applies today.
Brunswick Town was first designated as a conservation area in 1969. It contains over 100 Grade I, 40 Grade II* and nearly 450 grade II listed buildings.
Local businesses, amenity and resident groups were initially invited to put forward ideas in late 2021. As a result of this a draft character statement has now been produced for wider public consultation.
Stunning and unique appearance
Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “Brunswick Town Conservation Area is often described as one of the most important in the country, so it's incredibly important that we continue to take care of this beautiful area. The character statement helps to do just that.
“This area has a stunning and unique character and appearance. From the graceful Charles Augustin Busby designs of a new stand-alone town at Brunswick Square and Terrace to Decimus Burton's Adelaide Crescent, we want residents to give their views on how the conservation area is managed in the future.
“As well as preserving our historic buildings the consultation also looks to the future and how we manage the community’s public and open spaces in this neighbourhood. ”
You can read the draft character statement and give your views through our Consultation Portal or by e-mailing our Conservation Team.
The consultation opens on Wednesday 30 March and closes at 5pm on Wednesday 4 May.
