SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council

 
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SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
G R EAT WES TON C ONSERVAT I O N A R E A

Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan

SEA FRO N T
                             This appraisal and mangement plan
                             addresses the Seafront Character Area
                             within the Great Weston Conservation
                             Area.
                              1 Introduction
                              2 A brief history
                              3 Special interest
                              4 Current condition
                              5 Views, landscape and open space
                              6 Character contributions
                              7 Uses and activity
                              8 Changes affecting the Seafront
                              9 Principles for managing change
                             10 Respecting character

                             Appendix
                             Street-by-street assessment

                             Adopted 04 December 2018
SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
ER
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                                                                                                                              CK
                                                                                                                                                                                                               HILLSIDE

                                                                                                                            BIRNBE
  1 I N T ROD UCI N G THE SEAFRONT
                                                                                                                                                                        SEAFRONT
                                                                                The Seafront character area is
                                                                                defined by the long sweep of                                    CRESC                                        TOWN
                                                                                                                                         NT             EN
                                                                                Weston Bay, extending from Royal                     O                                                       CENTRE

                                                                                                                              EM

                                                                                                                                                          T
                                                                                Sands in the south to Birnbeck

                                                                                                                            CL AR
                                                                                Pier in the north. It takes in all the
                                                                                buildings fronting Beach Road,
                                                                                Royal Parade, Knightstone Road
                                                                                and Birnbeck Road. The character
                                                                                area includes Knightstone Island,
                                                                                Marine Lake and Grand Pier.
                                                                                                                                          C O T TA G E
                                                                                                                                     ED                  R
                                                                                The Seafront shares its boundary

                                                                                                                              CH

                                                                                                                                                          ES
                                                                                with adjacent character areas to

                                                                                                                                                             TA
                                                                                                                            T H AT

                                                                                                                                                                URANT
                                                                                the east. Buildings of special note
                                                                                include Birnbeck Pier, Claremont
                                                                                Crescent, the Royal Hotel and the
                                                                                Thatched Cottage Restaurant.

                                                                                                                                              EL
What is a conservation                 Great Weston                             How to use this document                                 OT
                                                                                                                                     H                                                   WHITECROSS
area?                                  Conservation Area                        This document is interactive,

                                                                                                                              L
                                                                                                                            R OYA
A conservation area is "an             Weston-super-Mare is a special           allowing on-screen readers to
area of special architectural or       place with a strong architectural        follow links to other documents.
historic interest, the character and   identity and a distinctive history. In
appearance of which it is desirable    2018, a review of conservation           The document is accompanied by
to preserve or enhance" (Planning      areas in the town led to the merging     an 'Introduction' document, giving
(Listed Buildings and Conservation     of five former conservation areas        an overview of the conservation
                                       into one single area.                    area as a whole and an
Areas) Act 1990).
                                                                                explanation of key terms. This can                             L A NT I C H O
                                                                                                                                          AT
                                       The new Great Weston                     be found on the Council's website:

                                                                                                                                                             TE
                                                                                                                                     D
                                                                                                                                N

                                                                                                                                                                 L
                                       Conservation Area has been
                                                                                                                               GRA

                                       divided into four character areas        www.n-somerset.gov.uk/
                                       to assist the understanding of what      my-services/planning-
                                       makes the conservation area of           building-control/planning/
                                       special interest, and provides a         planning-advice/heritage/
                                       basis from which change can be           conservation-areas/
                                       positively managed. Each of the
                                       four character areas has its own
                                                                                                                                                                                   © Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey 100023397. You are not
                                       appraisal and management plan.                                                                                                               permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.

                                                                                                                               Great Weston Conservation Area

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SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
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    2 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SEAFRONT
                 1840                                      1867                                          1888                                    1933                             1967                               Today

                                           The Birnbeck Pier opened
                                          in 1867 and was the main                                                              Marine Parade in the 1930s      This photograph shows how               The restoration of Grand
  Only a few buildings are            attraction in the town. Further                                                                     ©Historic England     busy the seafront was in the        Pier, public realm investment
evident in 1840. Baths and            south, Ellenborough Park and                                                                                                    1960s ©Weston Mercury          and new uses for Tropicana
                                                                                       The 1888 map shows the
    lodgings were built on          Beach Lawns were laid out with                                                                                                                                 have helped to rejuvenate the
                                                                                       rapid growth since 1840.
Knightstone Island in 1838.        large villas fronting the seafront.                                                                                                                                                   seafront.
                                              Photo ©National Archives

                                               1841                                                                               Early 1900s                                                           1970s
   Beginnings                                                                                 1880s                                                                  1943

                                                The arrival of the railway                     The Sea Front Improvement          This photo shows the sands                                             Like many seaside towns,
                                                to Weston led to the rapid                     Scheme led to the creation         looking south from the                                                 Weston started to decline
                                                development of the town,                       of the sea walls and               Grand Pier, 1910 ©National                                             in popularity as foreign
    Weston began as a small                     as day visitors from Bristol                   promenade and day visitor          Archives. Grand Pier opened                                            holidays become cheaper.
    farming and fishing village.                and Bath increase. Birnbeck                    numbers soared. Weston             in 1904 and Tropicana was                                              Flats were built on the
    From the 1750s, doctors                     Road is laid out between                       was a fashionable seaside          a former open air pool                                                 seafront.
    recommended bathing                         1841 and 1853.                                 resort. This photo shows           which opened in 1927.
    in the sea for its health                   Photo ©National Archives                       the pier and promenade
    benefits, attracting people                                                                c. early 1900s ©National                                               By 1943, houses and hotels
    to Weston. The first hotel                                                                 Archives                                                               had been built the full
    opened in July 1810.                                                                                                                                              length of Beach Road.

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SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
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     3 SPECIAL
     I NT E RES T
                                                                                                                            The variation in building types and
      The special historic interest of the character                                                                        styles in the seafront area reflects
      area is in the traces of the early town and                                                                           two centuries of growth and
      in the expression of the various stages of                                                                            change. The success of the town
      growth of the 19th century resort.                                                                                    after the coming of the railway
                                                                                                                            in 1841 prompted development
                                                                                                                            inland from the seafront and south
      The seafront today is characterised by the long                                                                       towards Uphill and also resulted in
      sweep of Weston Bay, with hotels, residential                                                                         early renewal.
      homes and blocks of flats on Beach Road                   Key characteristics of the Seafront character
      facing the Bristol Channel across the expanse             area are:                                                   Examples include the Royal Hotel,
      of the lawns. From Marine Parade there are                • Seaward facing Victorian villas, stone                    opened in 1810 but refaced and         Prince Consort Gardens were laid out      Knightstone Island is historically
      long views north, west and south. Travelling                 terraces and Weston's earliest hotels;                   substantially enlarged in 1849.        at two levels in the 1860s in memory      important as an early focus for
      northwards beyond the Grand Pier the scale                • Formal Beach Lawns;                                       Claremont Crescent dates from          of Prince Albert. They overlook           development in the new resort, from
      reduces, with smaller buildings and terraces              • Panoramic views across the bay and                        the 1860s, on the site of the          Birnbeck Island. The Grade II* Listed     the 1820s onwards. Formerly used as a
      coming closer to the esplanade and providing                 towards the town;                                        former Claremont House, built          pier is now derelict but remains a        medicinal bath house with accompanying
      some containment.                                         • Contrast between open and enclosed                        in 1816. The villas on Kewstoke        major landmark.                           reading room and lodgings.
                                                                   spaces, formal and informal spaces;                      Road in the Tudor Gothic style are
      Knightstone Island provides a vantage point               • Changing seasonal character, bustling with                representative of the picturesque
      across the bay to the town centre. The headland              activity in the summer months;                           qualities sought in the 1840s.
      at Birnbeck Pier is craggier, less formal, with           • The enclave of Knightstone Island; and
      sinuous terraces responding to the topography.            • The contrasting form of the Birnbeck and                  The piers and the promenade were
      From their raised position Prince Consort                    Grand Piers.                                             the most obvious manifestations
      Gardens offer views across the bay and to the                                                                         of the seaside resort, but the
      islands and the South Wales coast.                                                                                    Beach Lawns, Winter Gardens and
                                                                                                                            bathing areas were also a key part
                                                                                                                            of the story. The development of
                                                                                                                            Knightstone Island was a further
                                                                                                                                                                   A small promenade of sorts was laid       Beach Lawns were created as part of
      M a t er ials and f eatu re s                                                                                         chapter in the promotion of Weston.
                                                                                                                                                                   down in the 1820s and substantially       the 1880s sea wall and esplanade.
                                                                                                                                                                   remodelled in the 1880s. The current      They opened to the public in 1910.
      Materials and features contribute to the essence of a place. They                                                                                            promenade was repaved and a               Their generous dimensions provide the
      range from road signs to architectural detailing to paving style.                                                                                            secondary wall was installed as part of   foreground for long views towards the
                                                                                                                                                                   flood protection measures in 2007-10.     town centre, or out to sea.

      Gothic            Bath stone       Sea walls        Stone boundary    Decorative        Ornamental
      ornament          and classical                     walls             stonework         gables
                        ornament

                                                                                                                            Views to the headland at Brean Down    Claremont Crescent (1865-7) with its      The terraces and hillside are seen to
                                                                                                                            and the two islands of Steep Holm      facades of limestone ashlar faces         advantage from Knightstone Island.
     Seafront shelter   Regency detail   Stucco           Rockery and       Street pattern    Sash windows
                                         mouldings        beaches           following the                                   and Flat Holm are an important asset   inland onto the winding Birnbeck          This photograph shows layers of
                                                                            landscape                                       of the seafront.                       Road, giving the area a more              Weston's seaward facing Victorian
                                                                                                                                                                   intimate character in contrast with       villas.
                                                                                                                                                                   the openness of the promenade and
                                                                                                                                                                   Beach Lawns.
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SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
Birnbeck
                                                                                                                                                           Pier

                                                                                                                                                                                  3

    L is t ed bu i ldi ngs

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Marine
    Listed buildings are buildings of special                                                                                                                                                                 Lake
    architectural or historic interest. There are                                                                                                                                                                                           2
    several in the character area, and range from                Coalbrookdale fountain        Former chapel of
                                                                                               Royal Hospital
    formal groups to seafront pavilions and a
    Victorian fountain. Birnbeck Pier is Grade II*
                                                                                                                                                                                                               Knightstone
    Listed and its associated buildings are Grade II                                                                                                                                                           Island
    Listed. The other Grade II Listed buildings are:

    •   Westcliff Villas (No.2-10 Upper Kewstoke
        Road)
    •   1 South Road
    •   Claremont Crescent (No. 1-19)                        Grand Pier              Westcliff Villas
    •   Dr Fox's Bathhouse and Cafe on Knightstone
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Grand Pier
        Island
    •   Former Knightstone Theatre
    •   Swimming Baths on Knightstone Island                                                                                       Su b - a re a s
    •   Sunningdale, 20 Knightstone Road
    •   18 Knightstone Road
    •   The Thatched Cottage Restaurant, 14                                                                                       The character area has been divided into three
        Knightstone Road                                                                                                          sub-areas to reflect the local variation. The sub-
    •   Royal Terrace, 1-13 Knightstone Road
                                                                     Claremont Crescent            Royal Hotel
                                                                                                                                  areas are:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1
    •   The Royal Hotel
    •   Beach Lawn with Coalbrookdale Fountain                                                                                    •       1 - Marine Parade from Royal Sands in the
    •   Three sea-front pavilions, Marine Parade                                                                                          south to Grand Pier in the north.
    •   Cafe, shop and public lavatories, Marine                                                                                  •       2 - Knightstone from Victoria Square in
        Parade                                                                                                                            the south to take in Knightstone Island and
                                                                                                                                          Marine Lake to the north.
    •   Former Chapel of the Royal Hospital, Uphill
                                                                                                                                  •       3 - Birnbeck Road from Claremont Crescent
        Road North                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Tropicana
                                                                                                                                          to Birnbeck Pier to take in Prince Consort
    •   Grand Pier                                       Seafront pavilion                18 Knightstone Road                             Gardens and the houses on Upper Kewstoke
                                                                                                                                          Road.

        Click on a building to find
                                                                                                                                  The following spread summarises the current
        out more information.
                                                                                                                                  condition of each sub-area by identifying their
                                                                                                                                  positive and negative features.

                                                                                                                                     Seafront character area boundary
                                                                Thatched cottage       Knightstone Island                            Rest of Great Weston Conservation Area

                                                                                                                                     Grade II* Listed (only Birnbeck Pier)
                                                                                                                                     Grade II Listed

                                                                                                                          © Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey 100023397. You are not                                 Royal
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                                                                                                                           permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.
                                               GREAT WESTON CAA AND MANAGEMENT PLAN - SEAFRONT Adopted 04 December 2018                                                                                                                     Sands
SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
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                                                    4 CURRENT C ONDITION
       OVERA L L H I S TO R I C A N D
       A RC H I T ECT U R AL I N T E GR I T Y
       RATIN G                                                                                                                                                                                         Overscaled development in
                                                                                                                                                                                                       prominent seafront position      Bulky development
                                                        The condition of the Seafront has been assessed using the results of a street-
                                                        by-street survey that identified positive and negative features and stakeholder
                                                        consultation. Using the findings from the survey, a level of integrity has been

               78%
                                                        assigned to each sub-area that summarises its current condition.

                                                             Po s i t i ve f e at u re s
                                                                                                                                                  N e g a t ive f e a t u re s
                                                    1        Marine Parade
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Poor extension damaging
                                                        •    Historic north-south route connecting Uphill with
                                                                                                                                          1       Marine Parade                                        Premier Inn                      the roofline
                                                             Weston town centre;                                                              •   Poor quality development fronting Beach              Marine Parade sub-area
        Level of historic and                           •    Beach Lawns is a fine example of a late Victorian                                    Lawns which disrupts the area's Victorian
        architectural integrity                              esplanade garden and the main contributor to the                                     character e.g. Carlton Mansions and
HIGH    Upper Kewstoke Road (100%)                           spacious seafront character;                                                         Etonhurst;
>80%
        Birkett Road (88%)                              •    Good examples of Victorian detached and paired villas                            •   Loss of historic features on buildings; and
        Knightstone Road (64%)                               fronting the lawns; and                                                          •   Unsympathetic alterations and extensions
        Manilla Crescent (64%)                          •    The Grand Pier and beach activities make this area                                   to historic buildings to provide hotel
LOW
        Birnbeck Road south (58%)                            vibrant in the summer.                                                               accommodation along Beach Road.
SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Worlebury Hill / Weston Woods

5 V I E WS, L AN DSC AP E AN D
                                                                                                                                                                  Birnbeck
                                                                                                                                                                  Pier
                                                                                                                                                                                              1

  O P EN SPACE                                                                                                                                                                                    2

Weston-super-Mare's setting of coastline and                 Views and vantage points                                                                                                                            3

hills provides impressive views into and out of              Views of the sea and across the bay can be experienced not
the conservation area. The map opposite shows                only from the seafront, but also from glimpses down roads
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            4
the open spaces, key views, listed buildings and             and between buildings in adjacent parts of the conservation
landmarks in the seafront area.                              area. Further north, the Prince Consort Gardens gives
                                                             panoramic views of the Severn Estuary, as well as Birnbeck
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Knightstone                       5
Landscape and open spaces                                    Pier. The entire conservation area can be viewed from
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Island
                                                             Knightstone Island, looking north towards Worlebury Hill /                                                                                                             6
•    Beach Lawns is a series of late Victorian public
     lawns, sheltered by the rockeries, a stone walled       Weston Woods, east towards the Town Centre and south
     bank topped with shrubs that is an integral part        along Beach Lawns. Beach Lawns can be seen in southern
     of the sea defences. The lawns are divided by           views from Royal Parade. Birnbeck Pier, whilst no longer                           Severn Estuary
     roads into several sections. They are of historic       publicly accessible, once afforded fine views towards the
     interest and provide the spacious setting of            town and across the bay.
     Marine Parade;                                                                                                                    Seafront character area boundary
                                                                                                                                       Grade II* Listed structure (only Birnbeck Pier)                                              Grand       8
•    Prince Consort Gardens is a peaceful                    Trees
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Pier
     landscaped public space that provides an open           There are few trees in the character area due to its coastal              Grade II Listed buildings                                                                                9                7
     setting for the listed buildings at Westcliff on        exposure, but the trees of Worlebury Hill / Weston Woods                  Green space
     Upper Kewstoke Road;                                    provide a green backdrop in views from the seafront and                   Great Weston Conservation Area
•    The seafront promenade is the largest public            Knightstone Island.
     space and contributes to the quality and
     distinctiveness of the conservation area. The                                                                                                                                                                                                         10

     sea provides a changing character at low and
     high tides;                                                                                                               Views
•    Worlebury Hill / Weston Woods provides                                                                                    1. View from Prince Consort Gardens to Birnbeck Pier and sea
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                11
     an impressive backdrop to views out of the                                                                                2. Channelled view south towards Claremont Crescent
     character area to the north;                                                                                              3. Channelled view north-west towards Claremont Crescent
•    Water Adventure Play Park is a popular                                                                                    4. View from Birnbeck Road to Manilla Crescent and conservation area
     attraction for families and a breathing space
                                                                                                                               5. View north towards conservation area from Knightstone Causeway
     adjacent to the car park and promenade; and
                                                                                                                          5    6. Panorama from Knightstone Island to bay and conservation area
•    The garden at Madeira Cove, a unique                                                                                                                                                             Tropicana
                                                              View north to Claremont Crescent        North along promenade    7. View along Regent Street towards Grand Pier
     community space at the end of the promenade.
                                                                                                                               8. To conservation area north from Grand Pier
                                                                                                                               9. South towards conservation area and sea from Grand Pier
                                                                                                                               10. Views north along Marine Parade to town and Worlebury Hill /Weston Woods
                                                                                                                               11. Views south along Beach Road to Royal Court and Brean Down
                                                                                                                               12. Views north along Beach Road to town and conservation area

                                                                                                                                The grand sweep of the seafront has provided a prominent
View north from Knightstone Island                             View from Knightstone Island
                                                                                                                                setting for some of the town's most impressive buildings and
                                                                                                                                spaces. Buildings such as the Winter Gardens pavilion and
                                                                                                                                Knightstone make a very positive contribution to the seafront.
                                                                                                                                However, the exposure also means those buildings which are
                                                                                                                                not appropriately scaled or designed stand out more, and                                                              12
Prince Consort            Water adventure
Gardens                   play park          Beach Lawns       Anchor Head                                 Promenade
                                                                                                                                have significant harm on the area's overall character.

                                            Beach
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                                                                                                                                permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.
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6 C H A RACTER C ON TRIBUTION S                                                                                                                            7 USE S A ND ACT I V I T Y
  A N D S TR EET IN TEGRIT Y
                                                                                                     This plan shows buildings that contribute very
                                                                                                     positively or very negatively to the character
                                                                                                     area. The plan also shows the 'integrity rating'
                                                                                                     for each street, described on page 10. Roads
                                                                                                     which are shaded red are those which need
                                                                                                     significant attention.

                                                                                                                                                                Historic Landscape Character
                                                                                                                                                                Commerce
     Character contributions
                                                                                                                                                                Urban Settlement
     Grade II* Listed structure (only Birnbeck Pier)
                                                                                                                                                                Civic Provision
     Grade II Listed buildings
                                                                                                                                                                Woodland
     Very positive buildings
                                                                                                                                                                Recreation and Leisure
     Negative buildings
                                                                                                                                                                Industry
     Strong group value
                                                                                                                                                                Ornamentation
                                                                                                                                                                Rural settlement
     Overall street integrity
     Streets are shaded
                                                                                                                                                                Activity
     High
     Medium                                                                                                                                                     Very active vehicle routes
     Low
                                                                                                                                                                Active vehicle routes

     Green space                                                                                                                                                Very active pedestrian and cycling routes
     Great Weston Conservation Area
                                                                                                                                                                Active pedestrian and cycling routes

                                                                                                                                                        This plan brings together information on land use and
                                                                                                                                                        highlights those streets and spaces which are most heavily
                                                                                                                                                        used, both by pedestrians and vehicles. The seafront is
                                                                                                                                                        a focus for much of the activity in the town. The street
                                                                                                                                                        network is drawn together by the spine along the seafront
© Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey 100023397. You are not
                                                                                                                                                        making this a busy route. In the central section of the
 permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.                                                      seafront area commercial activities dominate, whilst to the
                                                                                                                                                        north and south, residential uses are prevalent.
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SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
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                                                                                                                  Evidence of issues
                                                                                                                                                                       Key
                                                                                                                  These graphs show the distribution
                                                                                                                  of results from the street-by-street                 0 - No examples, not an issue
                                                                                                                  survey (found in the Appendix) for                   1 - Minimal, not really an issue
                                                                                                                  the most prevalent issues facing                     2 - Some, issue could be monitored
                                                                                                                  the Seafront character area. The                     3 - Moderate - issue needs monitoring
                                                                                                                  numbers on the charts correspond                     4 - Significant - serious and requires action
                                                                                                                  to number of streets.

 8 C H A N GES A FFECTIN G THE                                                                                                                                                     Royal Parade
                                                                                                                                                                               Knightstone Road

   SEAFRONT
                                                                                                                                                                          Birnbeck Road (south)
                                                                                                          Knightstone Road
                                           The assessment of current condition of each                                                                                       Claremont Crescent
                                                                                                          Birnbeck Road (south)
                                                                                                                                                                          Birnbeck Road (north)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3
                                           sub-area alongside the mapping analysis has                    Manilla Crescent
                                           informed the overarching issues affecting the                  Claremont Crescent                                                                                           LOSS OF
                                                                                                                                                                   3
                                           Seafront which are summarised here.                                                                                                                                        HISTORIC
                                                                                                                                                                                                        5            FEATURES ON
                                                                                                                                               ALTERATIONS,
         BUI L D I N GS                                                                                                           4                                                                                   BUILDINGS
                                                                                                                                               EXTENSIONS &
         Inappropriate
                                                                                                                                                       OTHER
         alterations and                                                                                                                       ACCRETIONS
         extensions                                                        BU ILD IN G S
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2
         Many of the                                                       Loss of historic features
                                                                           Many buildings have lost                                                                             Birnbeck Road (north)
         properties in the
                                                                                                                                                               2
         seafront area have                                                their traditional features      Marine Parade                        1
         seen the introduction                                             such as sash windows
         of poorly designed                                                for replacement uPVC
                                                                           windows. Front doors and                                                                                     1
         extensions.
                                                                           gables are also at risk.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 3
                                                                                                                           1
         BUI L D I N GS                                                    NEGLECT AND                                                                                                   GENERAL
                                                                           VAC ANCY
                                                                                                                  1                                                                    MAINTENANCE
         Insensitive new                                                                                                                                                    3           OF LAND /
         development                                                       Poor maintenance of
                                                                                                                                                                                        BUILDINGS
         A number of modern                                                buildings                                   UNSYMPATHETIC
                                                                           There are a number of                           INFILL
         developments have not been                                                                                     DEVELOPMENT                                                                              1
                                                                           examples across the seafront
         sensitive to the character                                                                           2                                    6
         and setting of the seafront                                       area where buildings are
                                                                           not well maintained and                                                                                            2
         area, including large blocks
         of flats developed over the                                       outward showings of decay
         last 50 years, as well as                                         and disrepair are having
         more recent commercial                                            a negative impact on the                                                                        Manilla Crescent
         properties such as hotels.                                        streetscape.
                                                                                                                       Birnbeck Road (south)
                                                                                                                                                                                                             1
         STREETS, SPACES &
         ACTIVIT Y
                                                                                                                                               1
         Seaside town offer -                                              BUILDINGS
                                                                                                                                                                                              2                LOSS OF /          4
         challenge over what is                                            Loss of boundary
                                                                                                                                                                                                            INAPPROPRIATE
         appropriate                                                       treatments                                                                                                                         BOUNDARY
                                                                           The loss of front garden                               2                                4
         A variety of commercial                                                                                                               INTRUSIVE                                                      TREATMENTS
         uses along the seafront                                           walls is harming the                                            SIGNAGE AND /
         are aimed at tourists. The                                        character of the area.                                              OR ADVERTS                                         1
         quality of shopfronts and
         advertising can be over-                                                                                                                                                                                2
         assertive.
                                                                                                                                       2
                                                                                                                                                           1

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SEAFRONT Character Area Appraisal and Management Plan GREAT WESTON CONSERVATION AREA - North Somerset Council
9 P R I N CIPL ES FOR 				                                                                             SE A
                                                                                                       F RO N T
                                                                                                                                   Important attributes
                                                                                                                                   These street sections identify                       R ESPEC T IN G 10
  M A N AGI N G C HAN GE                                                                                                                                                                 C HA R AC T ER
                                                                                                                                   many of the key attributes
                                                                                                                                   evident at the Seafront today
                                                                                                                                   which interventions need to
                                                                                                                                   respect.

     Overarching principles               •   Context and setting – ensuring all proposed interventions                     Respect the predominant      Preserve              Retain    Retain stone             Maintain the      Preserve views to
     A series of principles have              demonstrate a clear and informed understanding of the wider                  materials of Weston Stone        gaps        architectural    boundary walls           spacious and      and from the sea
     been established to steer                context and special character of the Conservation Area, and that              with Bath stone dressings    between         details such    and gateposts            green sea front   along roads in
                                                                                                                                                        properties    as ornamental      and encourage            character of      Whitecross
     management across the                    the area’s distinctive topography and important views are fully
                                                                                                                                                                     gables and cast     the reinstatement        Beach Lawns
     whole of the Great Weston                recognised and used to inform change.                                                                                     iron railings    of front gardens
     Conservation Area.                   •   Streets – each street should be considered as a whole entity and
                                              any changes should take account of their effect on the whole
     These principles cover the               street.
     following topics:                    •   Public spaces and movement – an understanding of the
                                              existing public space assets of the Conservation Area should be
                                              the starting point as they are part of the area’s special character,
                                              with opportunities to enhance public space and the way the
                                              wider public realm is used taken at every opportunity.
                                          •   Buildings – opportunities to restore and revitalise historic
                                              buildings or reinstate architectural features should be
                                              maximised. Any new development must enhance the character
                                              and quality of the street.

     Character Area Objectives
     The special character and
     key features of the Seafront                                                                                              Marine Parade sub area
     are detailed earlier in this
     document.                                                                                                              Inappropriate            Maintain the          Seek to prevent     Prevent            Preserve the      Preserve
                                                                                                                          front extensions        group value of           future off-street   unsympathetic      views of the      architectural details
     The Seafront represents an                                                                                                  harm the        the buildings by          car parking         roof extensions    hillside          such as balconies,
                                       •• To restore the sense of grandeur and composition of the Seafront –             Victorian seaside         respecting the          and protect         that harm the                        doors and sash
     important area of focus for                                                                                                                                           stone boundary                                           windows
                                                                                                                                 character        scale and form                               architectural
     improvement and enhancement.         through restoring tired buildings and spaces.
                                                                                                                                                  of the Victorian         walls               integrity of the
     This management plan sets out     •• To respect the special space the bay, beach and lawns create and                                            architecture                             building
     some of the main priorities for      ensure this open quality is maintained for generations to come.
     the Seafront, informed by the     •• To recognise that the natural assets require balanced management
     following area-wide objectives:      to maintain and to encourage the sustainability of the seafront
                                          character.
                                       •• To breathe new life into the spaces along the seafront – exploring
                                          future enhancement to the Beach Lawns and the future role of the
                                          hard spaces along Marine Parade.
                                       •• To address insensitive additions, in particular to buildings fronting
                                          on to the seafront.
                                       •• To address the loss of boundary walls.
                                       •• To ensure that the grand sweep of the seafront develops in a
                                          positive manner.

                                                                                                                              Knightstone sub area

18                                            GREAT WESTON CAA AND MANAGEMENT PLAN - SEAFRONT Adopted 04 December 2018                                                                                                       HOME               19
APPENDIX

Preserve enclosed and
     winding character
   given by the curved
                         Preserve and
                         maintain Bath
                            stonework
                                                 Preserve
                                             architectural
                                           details such as
                                                                   Keep signs to the
                                                                   minimum and
                                                                   designed to respect
                                                                                          Retain or
                                                                                          when possible
                                                                                          reinstate
                                                                                                           Prevent further
                                                                                                           unsympathetic
                                                                                                           roof extensions
                                                                                                                                Street-by-street assessment
     terraces and high                   large pineapple           the architecture       original sash    that harm the
 stone boundary walls                          finials and                                windows          architectural
                                         gabled dormers                                                    integrity of the
                                                                                                           group

Birnbeck Road sub area

20                                                   GREAT WESTON CAA AND MANAGEMENT PLAN - SEAFRONT Adopted 04 December 2018                                 HOME   21
Key                                                                                                                                                                                           The street-by-street assessment has been adapted
  0 - No examples, not an issue                                                                                                                                                                 from the Civic Voice Conservation Area Audit
                                                                                                                                                                                                which is a method for assessing the condition of a
  1 - Minimal, not really an issue                                                                                                                                                              conservation area at a point in time. A link to the
  2 - Some, issue could be monitored                                                                                                                                                            Civic Voice audit can be found here:
  3 - Moderate - issue needs monitoring                                                                                                                                                         www.bigconservationconversation.com/
  4 - Significant - serious and requires action                                                                                                                                                 conservation-audit

SEAFRONT CA ISSUES '18                        Marine Parade                                                                 Knightstone                                                                                                         Birnbeck Road

                                                                              Royal Parade and Victoria Square

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Upper Kewstoke Road
                                                                                                                                                                        Birnbeck Road (south)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Birnbeck Road (north)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Claremont Crescent
                                                                                                                                             Knightstone Island
                                                                                                                     Knightstone Road

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Manilla Crescent
                                                          Marine Parade

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Brikett Road
Road name -->
Issue                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Issue total %
Historic character
Loss of historic features on buildings e.g.
                                                    3                     4                                      4                       0                          4                           3                      4                          4                           0                  0                          26         19
UPVC windows
Alterations, extensions and other
                                                    3                     2                                      4                       0                          4                           4                      4                          2                           0                  0                          23         16
accretions
Unsympathetic infill development                    4                     1                                      2                       0                          1                           0                      0                          0                           0                  0                           8             6
Loss of/inappropriate boundary
                                                    2                     1                                      0                       0                          3                           4                      1                          3                           0                  0                          14         10
treatments e.g. front garden walls
Neglect and decay
Vacant/derelict land or buildings                   1                     0                                      0                       0                          0                           0                      0                          0                           0                  0                           1             1
General maintenance of land/buildings               1                     2                                      3                       0                          3                           2                      3                          4                           0                  0                          18         13
Graffiti, vandalism or anti-social
                                                    0                     0                                      0                       0                          0                           0                      0                          0                           0                  0                           0             0
behaviour
Bin storage and/or fly-tipping                      0                     0                                      0                       0                          2                           1                      0                          0                           0                  0                           3             2
Litter on streets                                   0                     0                                      0                       0                          0                           0                      0                          0                           0                  0                           0             0
Public realm
Inappropriate car parking                           3                     0                                      0                       0                          0                           3                      0                          0                           3                  0                           9             6
Poor quality and consistency of highway
                                                    0                     0                                      1                       0                          2                           1                      1                          1                           3                  0                           9             6
/ footpath surfaces
Street clutter                                      0                     0                                      1                       0                          0                           0                      0                          0                           0                  0                           1             1
Intrusive signage and / or
                                                    0                     3                                      3                       0                          4                           1                      2                          0                           2                  0                          15         11
advertisements
Inappropriate shopfronts and / or roller
                                                    0                     0                                      3                       0                          0                           0                      0                          0                           0                  0                           3             2
shutters
Landscape and green spaces
Poor maintenance of public open spaces              0                     0                                      1                       0                          0                           0                      0                          0                           0                  0                           1             1
Loss of front gardens to hardstanding               0                     0                                      1                       0                          4                           4                      0                          0                           0                  0                           9             6
Loss of trees                                       0                     0                                      0                       0                          0                           0                      0                          0                           0                  0                           0             0
Other issues                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                140
1
2
3
TOTAL SCORE                                        17                     13                                     23                      0                         27                           23                     15                        14                           8                  0
TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE - 68

TOTAL SCORE % (n/68*100)                                 26.6              20.3                                   35.9                        0.0                   42.2                         35.9                  23.4                       21.9                        12.5                    0.0
HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL
INTEGRITY RATING (inverted Score %)                     73.4              79.7                                   64.1                    100.0                      57.8                        64.1                   76.6                       78.1    87.5                                   100.0                                         Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners is not responsible for nor shall be liable for the consequences of any use made of this
AVERAGE FOR SUB-AREA (%)                                73.4                                                                            73.1                                                                                                         85.5                                                                                      Report other than that for which it was prepared by Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners for the Client unless Allies and
AVERAGE FOR SEAFRONT (%)                                                                                                                                          78.1                                                                                                                                                                         Morrison Urban Practitioners provides prior written authorisation for such other use and confirms in writing that the Report is
Benchmark                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      suitable for it. It is acknowledged by the parties that this Report has been produced solely in accordance with the Client's
High street integrity = 80% and over                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           brief and instructions and without any knowledge of or reference to any other parties’ potential interests in or proposals for the
Medium = 61‐79%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Project.
Low = 60% and lower
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners accepts no responsibility for comments made by members of the community which
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               have been reflected in this report.

22                                                                                            GREAT WESTON CAA AND MANAGEMENT PLAN - SEAFRONT Adopted 04 December 2018                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     HOME                 23
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