Chapelfields Conservation Area

Our area is unique in its character and history. This leaflet aims to give you more information about Chapelfields and the meaning of 'Conservation Area' status. We hope to provide information about the character of the area and offer advice about any possible improvements.

Conservation Status

This status was introduced through the Civic Amenities Act 1967 for ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest’, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Designation of Chapelfields Conservation Area in 1976 was recognition of the townscape and architectural quality of the area. The historic association of the area with watchmaking was a key feature of the designation.

This means that the City Council has a responsibility to maintain the environment of our area to a high standard. They are obliged to invest in the area in order for it to retain its character. More importantly, the special status of the Chapelfields 'triangle' can enable us to attract Government grants. The character of old Chapelfields makes it a much sought after area by house buyers, but these 'future neighbours' are looking for properties with original features.

The Character of Chapelfields

The area was developed circa 1846 as an extension of the established watchmaking area of Spon End. This cottage industry dictated the form and style of the district. The houses were built of red brick with slate roofs, sash windows, and ornamental details in the door surrounds, window heads and eaves,

Old Chapelfields has Its own special character of short intimate streets. This creates, for residents and visitors alike, the unique feeling of being in a village within a city. This is helped by the close feeling of community that exists in the area.

House Feature

The style of houses in the Chapelfields triangle is quite unique, not only to the city, but country-wide The streets of smooth, redbrick terraced houses have many features which make them attractive and interesting (we have all seen groups of school children visiting our area and the reasons for this are obvious). However, the street scene Is now being disrupted by pebble‑dashing and rendering.

The doorways in Chapelfields originally had ornate doors and surrounds with pediments or canopies The designs used were popular adaptations of earlier elegant renaissance entrances.

The level of detail of the doorway often reflected the status of the inhabitants who once lived In the house. But more practically these canopies were designed to give protection against the weather.

The removal of canopies and stonework not only changes the appearance of the property, but also reduces resistance to wet weather.

The original windows in Chapelfields were rail double hung sashes set back from the face of the wall. The surrounds comprised of decorative stone lintels and sills and the glazing was in many cases multi-paned The thick lintels and sills were in proportion with the surrounds to give a pleasing frontage.

The uniformity of the street scene has nor only been altered by the arrival of UPVC in recent years, but more drastically by the replacement of the original tall windows with windows of different proportions.

The original roof material used was that of Welsh blue-black slate. This contrasted well with the red brick. The eaves were often given some decoration called dentiling. In recent years, concrete tiles have been used to replace original slate roofs, this not only disrupts roof surfaces but con also create a path for weather penetration in to adjoining properties.

Furthermore, the original thin Welsh slating weighs 5lb per sq. ft, whereas concrete tiles can weigh 10lb per sq. ft, The existing structure may not be capable of carrying this doubling of weight.

The rears of the properties in Chapelfields also have features unique to the area. The most important from an historic point of view are the watchmakers' workshops, known as 'topshops' or 'middleshops'. Each of the original properties contained a small workshop, which varied in size and position. Unlike weavers' houses, the watchmakers' workshops were hidden at the back of the house, giving Chapelfields the Impression of being an area of purely residential streets (hence two stories at the front and more at the back). Many of these topshops have now been lost or unsympathetically rebuilt (le: with flat roofs etc.) it is Important to future Conservation Area status that those which remain are preserved.

 Planning Controls

Conservation Area status means that certain planning controls are in force with regard to development in the area.

Certain minor works are permitted but It is always best to check with the Conservation Officer when planning to carry out work.

• The Local Planning Authority is required to pay special attention to the character or appearance of the area when considering planning applications in the Conservation Area.
• When considering planning applications, the Local Planning Authority requires fully detailed applications specifying materials,
• Conservation Area Consent is required for the demolition of whole of part of most buildings and structures (including walls and outhouses). Conservation Area Consent is additional to planning permission.
• All trees in a Conservation Area are protected, even if they do not have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). Anyone proposing to carry out works to a tree not subject to a TPO but within a Conservation Area must give 6 weeks notice to the Local Planning Authority. The Local Authority can then decide to make a TPO for the tree.
• The Local Planning Authority need to ensure that advertising displays do not detract from the appearance of areas of architectural and historic interest.

If Conservation Area Consent has not been obtained when it was required, a conservation area enforcement notice can be issued by the Local Planning Authority requiring a building to be rebuilt.