On 26 October 2017, Fleetwood Town Centre was listed on the National Heritage at Risk Register, published by Historic England.
Plan to invest in Fleetwood Conservation Area begins
Inclusion on the register will help to secure a future for the place and a number of its historic buildings. It marks the beginning of plans to invest in the area.
What are Conservation Areas?
Conservation areas are preserved or enhanced due to the special architectural or historical interest and character they possess.
The emphasis for Conservation Areas is on ensuring local character is strengthened by change, and not diminished.
Conservation Areas are provided for by the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Area) Act 1990.
National Heritage at Risk Register
The National Heritage at Risk Register records the overall condition and status of England’s heritage. The buildings, structures, monuments, landscapes and historic places which are most at risk are tracked.
The status will help to raise the town’s profile and make it eligible for assistance from Historic England. They dedicate time and resources to help to improve and so remove buildings and areas from the Register.
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Wyre Council will now get access to specialist advice. The local authority will also be able to bid for pots of potential funding to improve the area.
Repairs and work to enhance the local area will include revitalising and improving shop fronts and improving streets. Work will take place on squares and open spaces. Plus finding new uses for vacant buildings.
Heritage Action Zone
In 2018 consideration was also being given to applying for Fleetwood to become a ‘Heritage Action Zone’.
This programme, also run by Historic England, aims to help places which are rich in heritage to be revitalised. To the benefit of local residents and business owners.
Comment from Wyre Council
Councillor Pete Murphy, then Portfolio holder for Planning and Economic Development said:
“We are working closely with Historic England to realise the benefits that the ‘at risk’ status can bring. Through our work with partners we have been able to provide significant investment in sites across Fleetwood. We’re putting heritage at the heart of regeneration in the area. Now being added to the Register is about doing everything we can to further protect and preserve our heritage assets.
“Historic England has been supportive of our efforts throughout this process and their assistance will be invaluable. They understand the challenges facing historic buildings better than anyone and have an excellent track record of helping proactive partners to tackle them. This allows us to start accessing potential new specialist advice. It also gives us the status required for certain funding sources which would otherwise likely be out of reach.
“Through past and continued funding from Wyre Council in assets like Fleetwood Market, The Mount and Marine Hall we have demonstrated our commitment to protecting the heritage of Fleetwood. These fine structures are snapshots in the timeline of our history. We are keen to work with Historic England and private sector partners to explore all opportunities for further investment.”
Comment from Historic England
Darren Ratcliffe, then Historic Places Adviser at Historic England in the North West, said:
“Fleetwood’s historic and architectural significance derives from it being one of only a handful of purposefully planned settlements in the North West. The area has strong associations with eminent Victorian engineers. For example Decimus Burton who laid out the town based on a radiating pattern of streets emanating from the Mount. The plans were complete by 1835, and construction of the first buildings and the railway line began in 1836.
“Across the North West there are 65 conservation areas considered to be ‘at risk’ and so Fleetwood is not alone. Fleetwood has been placed on the Register in recognition of the areas conservation needs. Heritage led regeneration is an acknowledged way of unlocking an area’s potential for growth and investment.”
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I would like to know why Wyre council have allowed Fleetwood to become so run down. It’s local common knowledge that the council view Fleetwood as not important when in fact the history of Fleetwood is fascinating.