Groby Conservation Area Review

Updated Jan 2011 Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has carried out a consultation exercise about the Groby Conservation Area. It was launched with a one day exhibition at the Village Hall on November 29th, followed by a smaller exhibition for two weeks at Groby library, and closed on 21st December 2010. If you missed the exhibition you can still read the documents and see the supporting photographs on the Borough Council website, including many photgraphs of Groby properties with observations regarding their importance to the Conservation Area. Here's a direct link to the page.

After the Village Hall exhibition Barry Whirrity, the Conservation Officer at the Borough Council, said that about 60 people attended including the Borough and some Parish Councillors. “The appraisal documents were well supported by everyone who attended and the Borough Council welcomes the support and interest shown by residents in protecting the quality of the designated area,” said Barry. “Groby has some fine heritage buildings and many important historic features which add a great deal to the character of the conservation area.”

The old centre of the village was designated a Conservation Area 34 years ago to protect those parts of the village which are closely associated with the village’s past. For the purposes of the appraisal it has been subdivided according to areas of different character, and considers each with regard to buildings of townscape merit, distinctive details, features of interest, green spaces and vegetation.

The appraisal

The appraisal includes a a quick look at the history and development of the village and considers what is good or not so good about the Markfield Road, Ratby Road, Chapel Hill and Leicester Road sub-areas. It concludes that the conservation area is typical of 18th century rural Leicestershire settlements with the dominant use of stone, and that the small scale streets, stone cottages and stone walls together with the views in and out of the conservation area to the countryside, form a distinctive village form.

The predominance of the stone cottages and the prominent position of the church and tower all highlight the rural character of the area, with the retention of the granite walls creating a sense of enclosure and highlighting the settlements rural origins. The leafy character enhances the rural qualities of the local architecture and the large scale mature trees are an important element which reflect the history of Groby as a distinct village settlement within the Leicestershire countryside. This rural character is enhanced by the views between the church, the castle mound and the surrounding buildings.

Vulnerabilities and opportunities for enhancement

Attention is drawn to the vulnerability of the Conservation Area, highlighting the deterioration or loss of stone boundary walls, and insensitive alterations to historic buildings and to building elevations that face the street. Traffic, new development that does not reflect the established street pattern, and the loss of trees and key spaces between buildings, are also mentioned.

Opportunities for enhancing the area are also outlined and include a recommendation that a system to control or manage parking should be investigated, a contentious subject for local residents.

Proposed management Plan

Those who live in the Conservation Area or who businesses there will be particularly interested in the proposed management plan for the area. Seven key measures are proposed together with an outline of the action that will be required by the Council.

New development and alterations should respect the character of the area with regard to materials, scale, siting and design, with plastic windows doors and fascias being discouraged. Highway works should not have a detrimental impact on the area. Existing boundary features such as walls, fences, hedges and railings should be retained where they have merit as should important groups of trees and open areas. Utilities should be encouraged to replace overhead cables and poles with underground schemes. The use of inappropriate roofing materials should be discouraged and financial help given where possible to owners to restore traditional materials and features. Modern shop fronts should be discouraged along with the use of solid grid shutters. New rendering should only be used when completely necessary and properties in the same terrace should be painted the same colour to maintain unity.

Twenty one written comments had been received by the close of the consultation period. Any that are considered appropriate will be included in the consultation statement to be adopted by the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council early in 2011.

Updated Jan 2011