Two conservation areas could merge to protect town heritage

TWO conservation areas in the Morley area of Leeds could be merged.

Morley currently has two conservation areas. Morley Town Centre, which was first designated in 1975 and modified in 1989, covers the town centre area from Morley Bottoms to Town End. Morley Dartmouth Park, which was designated in 1974, covers the park and nearby residential area.

Leeds City Council is proposing to amalgamate these two conservation areas into one.

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The boundaries of the proposed single Morley Conservation Area would reach from St Peter’s church in the north to Tingley Mills in the south. To the east it would include the residential and industrial area as far as the railway station and Lewisham Park, and to the west it would take in Morley Cemetery and the developments along Bruntcliffe Road and Fountain Street.

A draft appraisal outlining the historic development of the town and a management plan have also been produced.

The council consulted on an earlier version of the appraisal and proposed boundary in 2009. Current public talks provide the chance to report back on the changes that have been made in response to the comments received then and provides a further chance for community debate.

Coun Richard Lewis, the council’s executive member for city development, said: “Morley has a very rich historical and cultural heritage. As a council we want to work alongside local people to protect that heritage.”

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Conservation area designation protects historic areas from harmful change and encourages good quality design in new development. Buildings within conservation areas are protected from unauthorised demolition, and new development has to respond to the historic setting. Trees in conservation areas are also protected.

The public consultation runs until March 9. People are being asked to comment on the appraisal and management plan and the proposed boundary changes.

An exhibition on the review can currently be seen at Morley Library and a public meeting will be held at Morley Town Hall on Thursday, February 16, at 7pm.

More information can be downloaded at www.leeds.gov.uk/Environment_and_planning/Conservation/Conservation_area_appraisals.aspx