Attwood launches Design Guide for Malone Conservation Area
Published on Fri, 16 Dec 2011
by MaloneCA.planning@doeni.gov.uk.
Guidance for staff and public in relation to Malone Conservation Area which has been updated
Attwood launches Design Guide for Malone Conservation Area
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has launched a Design Guide for Malone Conservation Area which will protect the area's special architectural and historic character.The Design Guide also changes the boundary of the Conservation Area as originally designated in 2000. The Conservation Area now includes additional areas along the northern and southern boundaries (principally Wellington Park and Wellesley Avenue and part of the Harberton and Shrewsbury area).
Areas have also been excluded to the east of the current Conservation Area, i.e. the recent Danesfort development, Queen's Elms Estate and grounds at Stranmillis College.
Alex Attwood explained: "The revised boundary of Malone Conservation Area recognises the distinctive character and importance of the Malone area. It provides a more consolidated area of special architectural and historic interest, removing areas no longer considered worthy of Conservation Area status, and including new areas considered worthy of this status."
"The special quality of the townscape of the re-designated area will be afforded enhanced protection through additional planning controls. The re-designated Conservation Area and the new Design Guide are evidence of the overall priority being afforded to the unique heritage of the Malone area of Belfast."
Commenting on what the revised boundary and new Design Guide may mean for the future, Alex Attwood said: "The new guide will help protect the City's unique townscapes for future generations. Conservation Area status will introduce control over the demolition of unlisted buildings and help prevent the destruction of trees."
"It also puts an onus on prospective developers to produce a very high standard of design, which respects or enhances the particular qualities of the areas in question. The end result will be enhanced protection for the Malone area."
Notes to editors:
- Malone Conservation Area was designated in August 2000. The Public Consultation Draft of Malone Conservation Area - Character Appraisal was published in October 2004; however, no further progress was made and the Department issued an Interim Statement in August 2006, stating that work on the Character Appraisal had been suspended as a consequence of workload pressures affecting the Planning Service.
- In 2009 a decision was taken to begin work on the preparation of a new Public Consultation draft that incorporated a boundary variation, a revised Character Appraisal and Design Guidance for Malone Conservation Area. This involved a review of the existing boundary of the Conservation Area, the boundaries of the previous Sub Areas, the preparation of a revised Character Appraisal and also Design Guidance.
- The public consultation period that followed the publication of the Draft document finished on Monday 28th February 2011, and during the one month consultation period 23 representations were received, including responses from statutory consultees, i.e. Belfast City Council, the Historic Buildings Council, and the Department for Regional Development. Replies were also received from Roads Service, South Belfast Partnership Board, several residents groups and members of the public.
- The final boundary of the Conservation Area took these representations into account.
- Copies of the Guidance can be obtained from: Belfast Area Planning Office, Bedford House, 16-22 Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7FD. Tel: 101 (NI only) or (028) 91513101; Fax: (028) 90252828. Email: belfast.planning@doeni.gov.uk. Alternatively the document can be viewed on the Department's website: http://www.planningni.gov.uk/conservation_malone.htm
- All media enquiries should be directed to DOE Press Office on (028) 90540003. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
