Buttress adds to Morley Conservation Area
The architect firm was tasked with updating the town’s protected areas and has added five locations to create the updated Morley conservation area appraisal and management plan.
The expanded conservation area now includes five areas that were previously unprotected:
- The Morley Hole area, Victoria Road, and Asquith Avenue, which includes historic back-to-back and through terraces
- St Peter’s Church area and the station approach – Church Street, Victoria Road, Springfield Road, and Lane, Rooms Lane, New Bank Street, and Station Road
- The mixed residential and industrial area of the historic town including development in the area of Ackroyd Street, Peel Street, Albert Road, the northern part of Clough Street, Lewisham Park, South Parade, South Street, Melbourne Street, Gillroyd Parade, and Wide Lane
- Fountain Street, to include historic back-to-back properties, industrial buildings and the former Grammar School
- The historic back-to-back, through terrace and villa development on Bruntcliffe Road
The Conservation Area replaces the previous town centre and Dartmouth Park conservation areas, which were created in the 1970s.
It aims to protect the historic areas of Morley and encourage high-quality developments.
Buttress was commissioned by Morley Town Deal, which was set up to administer a £24m grant from the government’s Town Fund.
The adoption of the new conservation area and management plan comes as the first two grants to be awarded under the Morley Town Deal’s Heritage Investment Fund were approved, signalling the start of regeneration for two properties on Queen Street.
Morley’s town centre is primarily 19th century buildings built during the time of the town’s textile industry.
Cllr Jonathon Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “It’s great news that Morley’s unique heritage and historical character is being celebrated through increasing the protections offered by a combined and enhanced conservation area and the associated appraisal and management plan.
“Morley’s two previous conservation areas were set up in the 1970s when the emphasis switched from demolishing historic buildings to conserving them. However, having two separate areas left some of Morley’s historic buildings vulnerable to unsympathetic changes.
“The updated management plan and newly combined boundaries allow us to protect more buildings of cultural and historical significance in Morley than ever before, preserving and restoring them while encouraging responsible, high-quality development in the town.”
Gerald Jennings, Morley Town Deal board chair, said: “Throughout the Town Deal consultations, the overwhelming consensus was that the historic assets of Morley are part of what makes the town unique and that people would like these assets enhanced and protected.
“The adoption of the new boundaries is doubly significant as it comes in the same month the first grants from the Morley Town Deal’s Heritage Investment Fund were approved for the restoration of buildings with historical significance, a significant step towards protecting Morley’s heritage for generations to come.
“Two buildings opposite Scatcherd Park will see investment, which has been partially match-funded by the building owners, totalling over £200,000. The works will see the restoration of a traditional shop front design and the re-installation of timber sash windows.
“There will also be repairs to the exterior stonework of the buildings and roof. When complete, the renovated buildings will release new commercial floor space and create jobs.”
