25th March, 2009

For the attention of

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John Macholc

Chief Planning Officer

Ribble Valley Borough Council

Church Walk

Clitheroe

BB7 2RA

 

Re: Inappropriate paint colours of shop frontages in the Conservation Area, Clitheroe

 

Following a meeting with yourself and with Adrian Dowd (Conservation Officer) on the above subject, Clitheroe Civic Society wishes to make the following points for serious consideration as we feel very, very strongly on the topic, as do members of the public who have approached us.

 

The following properties in the Conservation Area are of immense concern:

                                 Gemini in Market Street ( painted pink)

                                 37 and 39 Moor Lane      (one painted yellow and one pink)

 

1. The properties 37 & 39 Moor Lane have two of the finest Victorian shop fronts in Clitheroe with some fine carved detail which has recently been repaired to an extremely high standard. The present fluorescent colour schemes obliterate this detail and make it difficult to see these features.

 

2. There is absolutely no historic precedent for the present garish colour schemes.

 

3. Whilst we are not against modern detail design within the Conservation Area, this is NOT modern design. It is historic detailing which has been spoiled by ill-informed colour schemes.

 

4. The character and appearance of the Conservation Area is being compromised by the cumulative effect of a series of small changes. These three luridly painted shop fronts have been added to a small area of town where at 43 and 45 Moor Lane the whole of the front wall of the properties have been painted, one blue and one terracotta.

 

5.     In a report to the Planning and Development Committee 15th March 2007, Adrian Dowd made the same point by quoting  Mynors (2006) P.180-189 “ some buildings are susceptible to harm caused by a succession of small changes….And what one does, others are likely to follow.”  This has happened in Clitheroe, especially in Moor Lane but also in Market Place.

 

6.     Previously unpainted surfaces should not normally be painted over. There is rarely a good reason to paint historic stonework or brickwork. Repainting in a different colour can be to the detriment of a building’s historic character and streetscape. Colour should not be changed unless there is historical evidence to support the proposed change. In the Ribble Valley, there is little or no historic precedent for bright or garishly coloured facades.

 

7.     The owners of the former National Building, now Piccolino’s, were made to adhere to extremely strict controls when they were refurbishing the building. Admittedly this was a listed building. They have produced a classic building which serves the town well as an entrance building. Sadly, they now have these garish, out-of-character buildings across the road.

 

8.     People with properties in a Conservation Area must, by the definition of a Conservation Area, realise that they have obligations to the property itself. Therefore, we totally reject any reference to “contravention of human rights” if conditions for paint colours were to be imposed. The Civic Society believes it is the Planning Authority’s duty to bring this responsibility to the attention of all tenants and owners of property within the Conservation Area and to promote the highest standards of Conservation and Design within it. This is surely one of the prime functions of a Planning  Authority and whist people’s human rights must be considered at all times we must ask whether or not the actions of a few be to the detriment of the environment and the majority of those who occupy, use and value it. Unless there has been some recent Planning Inspectorate ruling where human rights take precedence over accepted conservation principles it seems to us that for the Planning Authority to do nothing would be an avoidance of their responsibility in this most important issue for the Conservation Area.

 

9.

Clitheroe Conservation Area Consultation Document adopted by Ribble valley Borough Council in 2008:  “ Poorly designed shop fronts with little regards to the host building and the streetscene spoil the historic character and appearance of a building or street. A Council ‘ Shop Front Design Guide’ would assist the promotion of good design.

 

10. The solution to stop this horrendous spread of violently coloured shop fronts would therefore seem to be

 

A)   The Council to produce a “ Shop Fronts Design Guide”

         OR

 

B)   Article 4 direction which can be applied (as in Hart District Council)where “the exterior painting only requires consent where it involves either a painting scheme which is dramatically different from the existing one or involves areas of the building not previously painted.” This would seem an eminently sensible solution to adopt in Clitheroe’s Conservation Areas.

 

We realise that any controls cannot be usually be retrospective( although we can cite cases where inappropriate shop painting has been remedied in Clitheroe) but any new painting schemes similar to Gemini or 37 and 39 Moor Lane ( and by extension Lowergate where the rear of these properties are painted the same colours as the frontages) would be stopped if Ribble valley Borough Council took the lead and made owners realise that a Conservation Area is a precious thing for the town.

 

There are several good examples of painted shop facades in the town. However, the truly excellent one is Mearley’s shop on the corner of Woone Lane and Greenacre Street. The painting is dignified, detailed and beautiful in a restrained way. We would suggest that all members of the planning committee view this (then look at 37 & 39 Moor Lane for comparison ) before debating this topic. Mearley’s gives a yardstick by which to judge the recent messy daubs which disfigure our Conservation Areas.

 

 

 

 

 

We would appreciate a reply and are willing to come to discuss this matter at any time. Please will you keep us informed of any progress on this subject.

Yours sincerely,

 

Pauline Wood     

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 For and on behalf of Clitheroe Civic Society

 

Cc Adrian Dowd Conservation Officer

      David Morris Chief Executive

      Richard Sherras Chairman Planning Committee