Residents’ views sought to enhance Hexham’s Heritage
01 Nov 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
The views of Hexham’s residents and business owners are being sought for the development of a plan that will help to protect and enhance the commercial heart of the town’s Conservation Area.
Views can be made either online via a questionnaire https://nland.cc/views, or at a special drop-in session at The Queen’s Hall on November 17th.
The views of local people will inform the development of a new Conservation Area Management Plan which is intended to help protect the investments made through the HSHAZ. These include the improvements underway to buildings and the public realm along Priestpopple, Cattle Market and Battle Hill, as well as guiding the future management of development in the central part of Hexham’s Conservation Area.
The work is part of the Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone - a multi- million-pound government-funded programme led by Historic England which aims to revitalise the town’s historic centre making it a more attractive and vibrant place.
The Management Plan is being funded by Northumberland County Council and Historic England and produced by specialist heritage consultants Donald Insall Associates with support from Hexham Community Partnership, Hexham Town Council and local residents. It focuses on the primary shopping area of the town.
The wider Conservation Area contains over 200 listed buildings, two Scheduled monuments and a Registered Park and Garden. Its heritage designation celebrates and protects the outstanding architectural and historic interest of the town.
In 2019, The Conservation Area status was identified as being at risk due to a decline in the condition of the buildings, public realm and the rise in vacant units within the main shopping area, particularly along Priestpopple, Cattle Market and Battle Hill.
Northumberland County Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for Supporting Business and Opportunities said:
“Local residents know Hexham best, so it is really important to us that they share their views to help shape new developments and investment opportunities in the centre of the town, that protect and enhance the unique heritage and streetscape.
“Hexham’s heritage is for everyone to experience and enjoy so please make a little time to speak up. Your views will be listened to and really do matter.”
Jules Brown, Historic Places Advisor at Historic England, said: “The Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone is all about making the Conservation Area a more attractive place to work and visit so it’s vital we get the views of the people who know it best. Local knowledge is invaluable so I’d urge people tell us how they think this part of town could continue to be improved in the future.”
A draft of the Management Plan will be published in Spring 2024 and there will be an opportunity to comment on the proposed recommendations.
There are a number of ways residents can make their views known:
Public Pop-Up!
11am to 4pm on 17th November, Queen’s Hall Foyer
Join the first public consultation event to share your views and ideas of how to better reveal and enhance what is important about the primary shopping area of Hexham. There will be other opportunities to contribute in early 2024.
Online Consultation
Wherever you are, and however you engage with the Conservation Area. Please fill this form and give your views on how the Priestpopple, Cattle Market and Battle Hill area of Hexham can be better managed in the future.