Tuesday 22 July, 2008
The character and heritage of Chilworth’s historic Gunpowder Mills will be protected for future generations thanks to the designation of the heritage site as a new conservation area.
The move follows a request from local people to see the Gunpowder Mills site become a conservation area. After fully assessing the area and proposing a boundary for the conservation area, Guildford Borough Council carried out a consultation to find out if the public agreed. The feedback was overwhelmingly in favour of the Gunpowder Mills becoming a conservation area, and included suggestions for changes to the boundary which have been incorporated.
Lead Councillor for Environment, Cllr Jenny Wicks, explains: “The idea of designating Chilworth a conservation area came from local people including members of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills working group. The gunpowder mills are some of the best remains of the gunpowder industry in the country and are protected as a scheduled ancient monument. However, other parts of the village which have been associated in some way with the gunpowder industry would be unprotected without conservation area status”.
The new conservation area includes the remains of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills industry along the Tillingbourne Valley as well as surrounding waterways and meadows. The site is of national and local importance. Designating somewhere a conservation area means the local council has a duty to preserve or enhance the area. It also allows for tighter controls on certain types of development to help keep the unique character and appearance of the area.
In addition to conservation area status the Council can also introduce further restrictions to control certain alterations to buildings and open spaces that may otherwise be allowed under ‘permitted development’. Trees are also protected within conservation areas.
Adds Cllr Wicks: “This does not mean we will not be allowing changes to buildings in these areas. But it does mean that any changes will be carefully considered for their potential impact on the conservation area before planning permission is granted. The preservation of an area’s character is an important factor when making these decisions”.