Council proposes new Canal Conservation Area

WARWICK District Council has proposed a new Canal Conservation Area across the district and is seeking the views of local people.

The Stratford on Avon Herald relates that following a recent assessment of the canal and its setting, by the Council’s Conservation Team to identify and explain what makes it special and its historic significance to our district.

Major heritage asset

The Grand Union Canal (Hatton fight pictured) and Stratford-upon-Avon Canal together serve as a major heritage asset dating from the late 18th-century linking historic towns with the countryside and strengthening Warwick District’s character, economy, and tourism. The waterways also provide a recreational facility for local residents, who can walk, jog or cycle along the 40km of canal towpath in the district.

Designation of the Canal Conservation Area will promote access to the canals, improve interpretation of our industrial heritage, and crucially, it will promote informed, intelligent high-quality design, responsive to local distinctiveness that recognises what local people value.

Public consultation

A public consultation exercise is now open and the draft Canal Conservation Area appraisal document can be viewed on the Council’s website.

People wishing to contribute local knowledge and values should make their submissions using the links on the Council website by 24th September.

[Our thanks to Roger Fox for the above information.]