Conservation Areas

Bollington & Kerridge Conservation Area Appraisal

Macclesfield Borough Council have published a draft report into the Bollington and Kerridge Conservation Areas. It will shortly be available to the public. If you live in these Conservation Areas or are especially interested in conservation matters then please check out the documents which can be found on the MBC web site:

- Draft Bollington and Kerridge Conservation Areas Appraisal (PDF, 60 pages, 5126k)

- Draft Supplementary Planning Document for Bollington (PDF, 10 pages, 86k)

Introduction

Bollington and Kerridge developed as industrial townships which grew rapidly in the early 19th century when a series of cotton mills were established in the valley of the River Dean.

Kerridge, the smaller of the two settlements, lies on the fringe of the Peak National Park to the west of a prominent sandstone hill, 'Key Ridge', from which it takes its name. in the past, the village was dependant upon stone quarrying and coal mining for its livelihood. Some open shafts are still in evidence in the area, including a ventilation shaft topped with a round castellated tower on Windmill Lane. The steep hill site has produced interesting changes of level and winding road pattern, which link stone cottages, some scattered in isolation with large, steep gardens. The essential character of the village is one of tightly knit terraced cottages following the contours of Kerridge Hill - an almost parkland setting with the wooded slopes of the hill acting as a backcloth to the houses.

Bollington sits in and around a deep, narrow valley at the start of the Pennine chain. For centuries the hills supplied water power for mill machinery and soft water for textile manufacturing processes. Before the late 18th century the Bollington area was only a string of hamlets and the main activity was farming. In the late 18th century a number of water-powered mills for cotton cloth manufacture were built in the area.

The Conservation Areas

Ingersley Vale Mill was one of the first to be built and acquired by the Swindells family, who later went on to build two much larger mills by the canal, the Clarence Mill and the Adelphi Mill, which were between them the principal employers of labour in Bollington until recently.

Most of the buildings in the old town of Bollington date from the period of rapid industrialisation and population growth between 1800 and 1850. Local sandstone from Kerridge and other quarries was available as a building material, which was not only attractive and weathered well, but which split into thin sheets for roofing and paving.

The beginning of the 20th century saw construction of many of the surviving cottages, such as those along Queen Street and the lower part of Church Street and Lord Street. Many other buildings belong to the same period and owe their great visual cohesion to the consistent quality of the local building stone. Cottages, houses and shops are usually stone-built, and often have Kerridge stone slates on low pitched roofs. The character of the area is reinforced by the sash windows, timber paneled and boarded doors, stone cills, lintels and door surrounds.

In recognition of the quality of Bollington and Kerridge the areas were designated as Conservation Areas in the early 1970's and the Council has pursued policies to preserve and enhance their special character.

Article 4 Direction

In the past some buildings suffered from unsympathetic alterations and modification, which had begun to affect the overall architectural character of the area. In order to protect and improve the character of the area, the Secretary of State of the Environment has granted the Council additional planning controls over some properties within the Conservation Area under the Borough of Macclesfield (Bollington and Kerridge, Macclesfield) Article 4 Direction 1992. The schedule and map will tell you if the property you own or occupy is covered. If it is, you should contact the Planning Department if you are intending to carry out any building work which will affect the external appearance of the property as planning permission may be required. The Conservation Officer will be able to advise you if you need to make an application and how to go about submitting it.

The properties affected by Article 4 Direction are listed on the relevant Conservation Area pages.

Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Grant Aid

The Council and English Heritage will operate a scheme of grant aid to help towards the cost of carrying out works of improvement or repair to a conservation standard. These can include repair to roofs, chimneys, rainwater goods, stonework, the replacement of doors and windows to the original design. Normal maintenance, extensions or modernisation would not be eligible for grant aid. The Conservation Officer will be able to advise you on the availability of these grants and whether your property would qualify.

Guidance Notes

The following notes should be read carefully if you are intending to carry out works of alteration, improvement or repair. It is not the Council's intention to prevent change or renewal but to ensure it harmonises with, and improves, the character of the areas rather than detracting from it. The types of work that will require planning permission are set out below, together with notes on the standard to which they should be carried out. These guidelines will be used by the Planning Authority in considering applications for planning permission.

Alterations and Extensions

The appearance of buildings and particularly their front elevations should be retained in, or restored to, their original form. Extensions to the rear may be acceptable where they respect the existing building in terms of design and materials. Pitched roofs will usually be required.

External Stonework

External stonework should not be painted or rendered. Repair work should be carried out in matching stone. Pointing should be carried out flush with the face of the stone, allowed to dry slightly and then brushed back with a wet rag to achieve a textured surface. The mortar colour should match the stone or be a little lighter. Strap pointing should be avoided. Stonework such as lintels, cills, plinths, door cases should be repaired using plastic mortar techniques and left paint free or repainted in a warm, stone coloured masonry paint.

Front Doors, Door cases and Fanlights

Original paneled doors should always be retained where possible. Replacement or new doors should be paneled, the number and dimensions of panels will be individual to each terrace and should match surviving originals. The upper panels may be glazed if natural lighting is required.

Doors should always be painted and not dark stained. Original door furniture should be retained and replacements should be black wrought iron or brass. Fanlights and door cases should be retained or restored. PVC and aluminium doors should not be inserted.

Windows

Front windows should be timber double hung vertical sliding sashes. The number of panes will be individual to each terrace and should match surviving originals. Top opening casement windows may be acceptable on rear elevations. PVC and aluminium windows, picture windows and 'mock Georgian' windows should not be inserted. The size of window openings should not be altered and windows should beset in a reveal.

Porches

These will obscure the architectural detailing of elevations and generally will not be acceptable.

Dormer Windows

These will usually not be permitted although roof lights may be acceptable in certain situations. Roof lights should be fitted with the slating.

Roofs

The traditional roofing materials are either natural stone flags or blue slates. Second hand materials of similar size and colour should be used for repairs.

Chimneys

These are an integral part of the design of houses and give character to roof lines. Where they are in need of repair they should be rebuilt to the 'Original height even if no longer in use. The reinstatement of a matching row of traditional pots will enhance their appearance.

Rainwater Goods

Only original rainwater pipes should appear on front elevations and replacements should be cast iron. Guttering should be either timber or cast iron to the original profile. PVC waste systems may be acceptable on rear elevations if painted black but as much pipe work as possible should be placed internally.

Heating Flues

These should make use of existing chimneys where possible and wall mounted balanced flues should be located unobtrusively on rear elevations.

Boundary Walls

These should be repaired in matching stone to their original bonding and stone copings re-set.

Shop fronts and Signs

These should be restored to their original appearance including pilasters and cornice. Fascias and signs should be hand painted on timber.

Colour of Paintwork

It is recommended that windows and door cases should be painted in white or magnolia (British Standard No 08B15 or lOB15). The choice of colour for the painting of doors is normally a matter for the householder, however the Council recommends traditional colour schemes, and the following are suggested for guidance: green (14C39), red (O4D45), blue (20D45); black (OOE53), brown (O8B29).

Demolition

The demolition of a building within the Conservation Area requires the Council's formal consent.

Trees

All trees within the Conservation Area are protected and you should give the Council notice of any intention to fell or prune them. New planting is encouraged and advice on matters of tree maintenance and landscaping can be arranged.

How The Borough Council Can Help You?

Macclesfield Borough Council offers grant assistance towards the cost of enhancement schemes which improve the character and setting of the canal and towards the cost of repair and restoration work on listed buildings. Leaflets giving full details of these schemes are available from the conservation staff.

If you require forms, conservation advice, further information or assistance please contact 01625−504666 or 01625−504667, or write to:

The Chief Planning Officer
Macclesfield Borough Council
Town Hall
Macclesfield
SK10 1DP

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