HISTORICAL LEEK
Protecting Leek’s historical
character...
ven more of Leek’s historic core and heritage
will now be protected thanks to an extension of
the town’s conservation area boundary.
For over 40 years the town centre has been
designated as a conservation area but its character
is still at risk from harmful alterations to some of
its buildings.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
agreed to extend the boundary and adopt the
Conservation Area Character Appraisal document
which sets out what is important about the area
and what it aims to protect.
The Council has also withdrawn some
permitted development rights which mainly affect
domestic properties and mean that a number of
minor alterations including changes to windows
and doors or installation of satellite dishes or solar
panels will now require planning permission if
they are visible on the front of properties.
Councillor Edwin Wain, cabinet member for
planning, development and property, told Leek
E
Life: “We’ve introduced these changes following
extensive public consultation in the summer. The
whole aim is to protect what is so special about the
town centre’s architectural and historic character.
“That’s why it’s important that we have
introduced the need for planning permission for
significant changes to properties as any alterations
not in keeping with the historic appearance can be
harmful to the character of the whole town centre.
It’s this character which gives Leek such unique
appeal and that’s what we want to preserve for this
and future generations.”
Leaflets have been distributed to every address
in the Leek conservation area detailing the
proposals and what they mean for affected
buildings.
Details on all the changes are available on the
Council’s website www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk.
Anyone wishing to discuss the changes can contact
the conservation section on Tel. 0345 605 3013 or
email [email protected]
Leek Life January/February 2014 47