Drop-in event being held as part of Bishop Auckland Conservation Area review

The Spanish Gallery in Bishop Auckland town centre.

We are hosting the event to seek feedback on a number of proposed changes to the boundary of the conservation area.

They are:

• the addition of the Railway Street industrial area including Peel Street, Chester Street and Railway Street
• the addition of number 60 and 58 Etherley Lane
• the removal of Bishopgate Lodge Care Home

We are also keen to get views on updates to the Bishop Auckland Conservation Area Management Plan, which includes a character appraisal and management strategy.

Preserving historic features

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "We're passionate about conserving our heritage in County Durham and have 93 conservation areas across the county.

"The Bishop Auckland Conservation Area takes in a wide variety of architecturally and historically important structures including Auckland Castle, the Town Hall, St Anne's Church, Skirlaw Bridge, and Gaunless Bridge.

"The conservation area status and associated management plan enable us to bring partners together to preserve these historic features and manage the regeneration of the town in a controlled and sympathetic way.

"In doing so, we can ensure Bishop Auckland is a place that can thrive and be enjoyed for generations to come."

Drop-in session at Bishop Auckland Town Hall

The drop-in session takes place on Tuesday 23 July at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, where our staff will be on hand to discuss the proposals.

People who are specifically affected by the proposed boundary changes are invited to attend between 6pm and 7pm and will be contacted directly.

Anyone with any enquiries or a more general interest in the plan is invited to attend between 7pm and 8.30pm.

There are 93 conservation areas in the Durham County Council area and we have a duty to review each one, along with its associated management plan, on a regular basis.

Conservation area designation dates back to 1969

The Bishop Auckland Conservation Area was originally designated in 1969 and covered a small area focused on the Market Place and Newgate Street.

It was extended twice in the 1990s to include the parkland associated with Auckland Castle and more areas of Newgate Street and Etherley Lane.

A detailed review was carried out in 2014, resulting in some minor boundary changes and the publication of a detailed conservation area character appraisal.

Other ways to have your say

You can have your say by completing an online survey on our Consultation webpage or picking up a paper copy from Bishop Auckland Town Hall or any of our Customer Access Points.

Alternatively, comments can be sent to our Heritage, Landscape and Design team - email design.conservation@durham.gov.uk or write to Heritage, Landscape and Design team, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UQ.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 19 August.

Responses will be used to shape the boundary of the conservation area and the next draft of its management plan.

There will be a further consultation on the next draft later this year before the plan is finalised and adopted.