North Shields Conservation Areas
Don Gruer explains how the Character Statement was created for the New Quay and Fish Quay Conservation Areas.
It was late in 2004 when North Tyneside Council called a group of individuals to a meeting. They had indicated at the time of the Fish Quay Conservation Area consultation that they would be willing to get involved in preparing a community-led Character Appraisal for this area. Among their number were two members of the Society – Jean Baty and Don Gruer.
They learnt from officers of the Authority and from the North of England Civic Trust, that this was to take the form of a Town Design Statement the object of which was
- to describe the distinctive character of the town and its surroundings
- to show how character can be identified at three levels: the landscape setting of the town, the shape of the settlement and the nature of the buildings themselves
- to draw up design principles based on the distinctive local character
- to work in partnership with the local authority in the context of existing local planning policy and to influence future policies.
Despite real doubts as to their ability, the group started to meet. With the support of the officers, funding was acquired from the Local Heritage Initiative. This now enabled the wider public to be involved through a workshop day and questionnaires. All the information collected was later collated and analysed to form the basis of the Statement.
Working together the group started to realise what it was achieving and what talent it had within its ranks. There was, though, the reassurance that, if needed, officers were available who were willing to and did provide support. A member of the Civic Trust was also at hand to provide experience gained from an earlier project in Tynemouth and also technical advice.
The initial draft was very much an outline with various headings and short elements taken from the data collected up to that point. Early in the project it was agreed with the Local Authority that the Statement should cover both of the riverside conservation areas.
Work on the text progressed week by week with the new version brought back for the team to comment on. Some features were researched in more depth, facts were checked and cross-checked with the help of the Tyne and Wear Archives and the Local Studies section of the Library. The latter also provided the old black and white photographs and another Council department the aerial shots and maps.
The text was broken down into sections, shuffled around and eventually took its final form. Following the introduction we show how the areas have evolved, then how they have influenced art and literature. Following this are descriptions of the areas, together with how the community had been consulted. The main body of the document sets out how all those involved perceived what was good or otherwise about the area at the present time.
Maps were amended to show, sector by sector, the value different buildings contributed to the areas. Four categories were used: listed building, significant contribution, contribution, detraction. These are also set out on page 35 of the document. One other feature is a series of sketches to illustrate the quality of the detail on buildings but it is hoped also they will provide a challenge for the children, as they walk the area and try to identify where these features are to be found and why they were included.
After twenty or so versions of the text, the team was happy to have this married to the various illustrations. All of this material was passed to a graphic designer, together with an outline of how it should be fitted together. He converted this, and our aspirations, into the finished document. The team was amazed at what he had managed to achieve with the material.
In May 2006, following six weeks of public consultation, North Tyneside adopted the character statement as part of their official planning policy. Once printed it was launched at the end of June when a copy was symbolically presented to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jim Allan. Those with internet access can view the document on the Local Authority web site: www.northtyneside.gov.uk/docs/planning
Though not its prime purpose the statement might have a part to play in the education of the local community, particularly the young in whose hands rests the safekeeping of these special areas in the long term. It was also thought that it might be developed for use by visitors, stimulating interest in what is probably a unique area. Is there anywhere else that has four standing lighthouses?
CITY AND COUNTY
November 2006
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