Southport conservation areas in the spotlight

Southport conservation areas in the spotlight

Two of Southport’s conservation areas are in the spotlight as their official conservation appraisals are updated and reviewed. Sefton Council has produced draft updates to the existing appraisals of both the Lord Street Conservation Area and the Promenade Conservation Area, which are now set to undergo a period of public consultation.

Conservation area appraisals aim to protect the inherent qualities of a conservation area by providing a thorough understanding of their character.

These appraisals examine Southport’s special characteristics and aim to determine local distinctness as well as offer proposals for preservation and enhancement. Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member Planning and Building Control, said: “The appraisals highlight what is special about the area, its positives, negatives, as well as identifying opportunities for change and review of its boundaries.

“This information will also be helpful to those considering investment in the area and can be used to guide the form and content of new development.

Please take the time to get involved in the consultation and share your comments regarding these important conservation areas in our borough.”

The public consultation will allow the local community and all those with a stakeholder interest the opportunity to comment on and contribute to the final appraisal documents. Each appraisal would be a material consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications.

The documents will also support the development of policies to help maintain and enhance the character of the conservation areas.

The draft documents are out to public consultation until September 20, 2017 and can be viewed at www.sefton.gov.uk/conservationareas or alternatively hard copies can be viewed at The Atkinson Library on Lord Street, Southport or the Planning Office at Magdalen House, Trinity Road, Bootle. Any comments people may wish to make on the contents of the appraisals would be most welcome and relevant additions may be incorporated in the final document before publication.