Queen's Park removed from national 'conservation areas at risk' list
Historic England has removed the Queen’s Park Conservation Area from their ‘at risk’ register for 2022. This comes as a result of the measures taken following the adoption of a Conservation Area Statement by the council in 2018.
Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment.
It publishes its heritage at risk register annually each autumn. Conservation areas are assessed against Historic England’s criteria based upon information supplied by local planning authorities.
Responding to residents’ concerns
Queens Park was designated a conservation area in 1977. In 2020 residents were asked to comment on proposals to introduce stricter planning controls to preserve the unique character of properties in the area.
The proposals were drawn up in response to resident concerns identified in the Queen’s Park Conservation Area Statement. These highlighted how the loss of architectural details on the front of properties was having a detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the area.
Issues included the changing traditional sash windows to uPVC, the installation of modern doors, railings and gates, the loss of front boundary walls and the painting of previously unpainted brick features.
In 2021 an Article 4 Direction was approved for the area, requiring planning permission for works to house frontages and any street-facing side elevation to stem the loss of historic features. This came into force on 4 June 2022.
“At risk” register 2022
Queen’s Park is one of only 9 conservation areas nationally that have been removed from the register this year.
Five conservation areas in Brighton & Hove remain on the register for 2022:
• Benfield Barn
• East Cliff
• Old Town
• Sackville Gardens
• Valley Gardens
Clear progress in turning around “At risk” status
Queen’s Park Ward Councillor Clare Rainey said: “I am delighted that the work done with the local community over a number of years is protecting the heritage of the Queen’s Park area - and that this has now been recognised by Historic England.”
Councillor Martin Osborne, Co-chair of Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture committee, said: “We are lucky to have so much beautiful heritage in the city. But sadly, some of these areas remain at risk. We are committed to reducing the number of conservation areas at risk in Brighton & Hove, but some of these areas have faced complex challenges.
“As well as the successful work in Queen’s Park, there has also been clear progress in the Old Town and Valley Gardens conservation areas. These are also moving towards a point where we could recommend their removal from the ‘at risk’ register in future years.”
