www.doncaster.gov.uk/conservationareas

Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area Appraisal

March 2012

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Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area Appraisal Index Preface 3

Part I – Appraisal 1. Introduction 4 2. Location 6 3. Origins and development of the settlement 7 4. Prevailing and former uses and the influence on 17 the plan form and building types 5. Archaeological significance and potential of the area 17 6. Architectural and historic qualities of the buildings 18 7. Traditional building materials and details 21 8. Character and relationship of the spaces in the area 26 9. Green spaces and trees 27 10. Negative features 29 11. Neutral features 34 12. Condition of buildings 37 13. Problems, pressures and capacity for change 37 14. Suggested boundary changes 38 15. Summary of special interest 42

Part II – Management Proposals 16. Management Proposals 43 Appendices I Useful information and contact details 47 II Relevant policies of the Doncaster Unitary Development Plan 48 III Community involvement 50

Maps 1. Origin and development of area 2. Positive features 3. Negative and neutral features

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Preface The guidance contained in this document is provided to assist developers and the general public when submitting planning applications. It supplements and expands upon the policies and proposals of the Doncaster Unitary Development Plan and the emerging policies that will be contained within the Local Development Framework. The Doncaster Unitary Development Plan contains both the strategic and the local planning policies necessary to guide development in Doncaster and is used by the Council for development management purposes. At the time of writing this appraisal, the Doncaster Unitary Development Plan is being reviewed and will ultimately be replaced with the emerging Local Development Framework. It is not possible however for the Doncaster Unitary Development Plan, or indeed the future Local Development Framework, to address in detail all the issues raised by the many types of development. This appraisal will be a material consideration to be taken into account when determining planning applications. Also included within the appraisal are Management Proposals that will be considered for adoption by the Council as part of its approval processes.

It is hoped that this document will cover most eventualities including the main guidelines which a prospective applicant should bear in mind when considering development proposals. The appraisal however is not intended to be wholly comprehensive and the failure to mention any particular building, feature or space should not be assumed to imply that they are not of significance. Advice is available from Doncaster Council’s Design and Conservation Team and you are advised to make early contact before carrying out any work within the conservation area. The Design and Conservation Team would like to give special thanks to the Doncaster Civic Trust with regards to the sharing of their knowledge in connection with the architecture of the area and its buildings and to Mathew Leech for his assistance.

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Part I – Appraisal 1. Introduction A conservation area is an area “…of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”1 Conservation areas were first introduced by the Civic Amenities Act 1967. The Act has now been incorporated and expanded into the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, which provides the statutory basis for planning control within conservation areas. This current Act imposes a duty on the local planning authority to designate conservation areas (where appropriate), to review them from time to time, and to bring forward policies and proposals for the preservation and enhancement of such areas. Before bringing forward policies and proposals for any conservation area it is important to define what its special historic or architectural character is. Government guidance contained in Planning Policy Statements 1 and 5 emphasises the need for the character and local distinctiveness of an area to be analysed and clearly defined in a written appraisal. English Heritage has set out in their 2011 guidance “Understanding Place: Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management” a methodology for analysing this character.

Aerial photograph showing existing boundary of Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area

1 As defined under S61 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

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This appraisal covers the Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area, which was originally designated on 28 April 1974 and is the first review of this conservation area since its designation. The appraisal follows the English Heritage guidance and aims to identify the special architectural, landscape and historic interest of the Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area. South Parade extends eastwards along the Great North Road. It marks the expansion of the town in the Georgian period and reflects the prosperity of the town brought about by its fashionable status as a racing town with the founding of the St. Leger. Nearly all the buildings fronting on to South Parade are Georgian and are of three storeys formal design. They are grouped in several terraces with some individual buildings. There is one Victorian property which by its architecture contrasts with the rest of the buildings. The Parade separates the buildings from the main road and rises towards Hall Cross Hill, where Hall Cross is situated. The Hall Cross monument is contemporary with the Georgian terraces and is the focal point. There is a wide use of stucco, especially on the Georgian buildings, and natural slate roofs. Sash windows and panelled doors are used to give the formal architecture mentioned above, as well as bow and tri-partite windows, railings and balconies. There are seventeen listed structures in the conservation area, which includes all the buildings fronting on to South Parade, Hall Cross and the stone wall on Hall Cross Hill.

Old print of South Parade from Miller’s History of Doncaster c.1804

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2. Location

This appraisal covers the Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area, which is situated to the immediate east of Doncaster town centre at the junction of Hall Gate and Thorne Road. Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area covers the southwest side of South Parade from its junction with Hall Gate/Waterdale/Thorne Road to the crown marked by Hall Cross Monument. The conservation area includes backlands that in places stretch all the way to Chequer Road to the south. The conservation area is immediately adjacent to, and links into the conservation areas of Doncaster - Bennetthorpe, Doncaster – Christ Church and Doncaster – High Street. The area covered by the present designation is shown below.

Conservation Areas in Doncaster Town Centre

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3. Origins and development of the settlement The origin and development of South Parade and its continuation of Bennetthorpe is linked to the Roman times, with the fort of Danum being constructed in 70AD on a crossing point near to the River Don. This crossing point was approached from the south by a road from Bawtry, which linked into the present High Street. This is likely to be on the same line of Bennetthorpe. For further history of Doncaster town centre, please refer to Doncaster – High Street and Doncaster – Market Place Conservation Areas. Before the end of the 18th century, the area now known as South Parade was rural and on the edge of town. The development of the area relates to its position on the Great North Road and the link to the Racecourse, where horse racing commenced in 1778. The cross of Ote de Tilli stood in the roadway at the angle near to where the present road to Waterdale branches off from Hall Gate/South Parade. Nearby there were two closes known as Sand Pit Close and Old Sand Pit Close. The original Salutation occupied one of the cottages on Sand Pit Close and which is now the site of the present Conservative Club.

Old Ote De Tilli Cross

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About 1779 Sand Pit Close was acquired by Bethune Green. He rebuilt the Salutation further east on its present site. In 1788 Mr Green tried to sell off parcels of his land as building plots, but he was initially unsuccessful until Doncaster Corporation resolved to make improvement to the main road.

The Salutation

On 17 October 1792 the Corporation resolved that the hill near the cross of Ote de Tilli, on Hall Gate, be lowered and the street repaved. The flights of steps to the old houses at the top of Hall Gate show by how much the highway was reduced in height. The cross of Ote de Tilli however remained as an obstacle to the successful completion of the highway improvement.

Stepped property at the top end of Hall Gate

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On 3 May 1793 the corporation agreed that the cross should be taken down and re-erected at Hob Cross Hill (now the top end of South Parade). However a replacement Cross was erected instead, presumably as the original was felt to be too dilapidated to move. After the erection of the cross Hob Cross Hill became known as Hall Cross Hill.

Hall Cross

A local resident and 19th century historian, William Sheardown, notes that the roadway at Hob Cross Hill was at one level from hedge to hedge and the portion not used as highway was a convenient spot for the exercising of horses, but about 1770 the road was lowered a considerable number of feet below the summit of the hill. From the point opposite the entrance to the Town Field the road fell to a low point near the present day Regent Square and then rose to the spot where the original Hall Cross stood. The basin so formed was often waterlogged – when the summit of Hall Gate was lowered in 1793 the low point was raised by about four feet. An Act of 1776 relating to the repair of the road leading from Doncaster to Bawtry contained a clause which referred to a piece of high ground on the western side of Hob Cross Hill which had for several years been used as a public walk and provided for the hill being maintained in its current state. The conservation of the hill was further protected by an Act of 1803.

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In January 1793 the more easterly of the two Sand Pit Closes, Old Sand Pit Close, was put up for auction. The premises were described as being pleasantly situated and well adapted for building upon. Some of the land, at least, was purchased by William Hurst and it was he who built the first two houses on Hall Cross Hill, just east of the Salutation, which are believed to be 9/10 South Parade. The houses were probably completed in 1795 and the first tenants were Mrs Irving and Mr John Rawstorne.

9/10 South Parade

Bethune Green eventually sold off some of his land in 1795. One of the persons who bought a plot was John Rawstorne. He was a talented architect, having been a pupil of James Wyatt and he must have hoped that Doncaster would offer an opportunity for his professional advancement, at least he would be certain that his new house would display his abilities to the many travellers on the Great North Road. This house is now 18 South Parade and so impressive is its architecture that some people have thought it to be the work of James Paine even though it was built six years after he died.

18 South Parade

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Shortly after William Hurst built the first two houses on Hall Cross Hill, close to the Salutation, a further two houses were built (the present 7 and 8) a little further east. George Haugh, a portrait painter, occupied one of them. He later married and his wife opened a school here in 1797.

7 and 8 South Parade

In November 1796, William Lindley purchased a large part of the Sand Pit Close on which to build the property now numbered as 15 South Parade and known as Denison House, although it has previously been known as The Hall. William Lindley was an architect who had for many years been an assistant with John Carr of York before he set up in practice in Doncaster. He managed to combine elegance with economy and consequently he was much patronised by the local gentry.

15 South Parade

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The most distinctive building on South Parade is the one sometimes known as the Pillared House or Pillar House. The building was designed by William Lindley and was originally divided into several dwellings, one of which he had for his own occupation. He probably wished to erect a building that stood comparison with the earlier dwelling by John Rawstorne that it adjoined.

Pillar House

The school opened by Mrs Haugh was so successful that in a few years a large house opposite the new Hall Cross was built to house it and which is now 1 South Parade. 2 South Parade appears to have been built by Mr Haugh as an extension of his premises and may have been used in conjunction with Mrs. Haugh’s school for a time.

1 and 2 South Parade

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To the west of Pillar House is another imposing building that is now mainly occupied by the Conservative Club. This site occupies the site of Bethune Green’s house and the original Salutation Inn. Green made several attempts to sell his house on the site but failed to attract a buyer. Eventually the property came into the possession of Ben Turner, an East Indian merchant, who rebuilt the house in 1808. It seems that Lindley was the architect, for when the property was offered for sale in 1811 Lindley and Woodhead were the agents. The house was described as new, elegant and substantial but it seems improbable that the old house disappeared completely as wholesale demolition was not then the norm. A house might be given a more fashionable façade but often large parts of the old were incorporated into the new. The fact that Ben Turner’s house had two stone staircases and two back staircases suggests that at least part of Bethune Green’s house survived. The house remained unsold and Ben Turner divided the building into two, a large unit to the east and a smaller unit to the west, and is still divided in two.

Conservative Club

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3 South Parade was built about 1813 and reflects the growing popularity of the suburban villa. The main living room – the drawing room – is at ground floor level, unlike the earlier houses on South Parade where they are at first floor level. The design is probably by William Hurst.

3 South Parade

Development continued with the terrace of town houses of 4-6 South Parade and the continuation of 9/10 South Parade to form an attractive pedimented terrace of five town houses linked by an archway with The Salutation.

South Parade – the continuation of 9/10 to form a pedimented terrace

is to the right of centre

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By the middle of the 19th century the predominant character of South Parade had been set and the layout of the area has little changed to the front, as can be seen in the map below. The area to the rear onto Chequer Road however has changed.

6a South Parade is an example of Victorian Gothic but is still strictly symmetrical. It was built in 1869 by CE Palmer, a solicitor, on a site that had probably been occupied by an old barn. The material is Conisbrough pressed brick with drawn joints having Ancaster stone dressings. This stone came into use in Doncaster after the opening of the railway reduced the cost of its transport. The fine carving is by Thomas Scrivens the carver on the rebuilding of St. George’s.

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6a South Parade

In 1945 there was a plan to demolish South Parade to provide a site for a civic centre and a link road. Ultimately this did not come about and the late Georgian buildings of South Parade survived to now form a handsome and distinctive example of the townscape of its period. During the 1960s the Museum and the Clinic were built on Chequer Road, as well as the Council offices of Scarborough House. Recently The Foyer building has been built, again on Chequer Road.

South Parade and Bennetthorpe

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4. Prevailing and former uses and the influence on the plan form and building types Around the time that South Parade was undergoing its main development it was considered to be a prestigious residential area. The dwellings were built as townhouses or individual villas and have a grandeur individually as well as collectively. They are set close to the pavement in front with long gardens to the rear. The houses take advantage of the sloping side away from the main road and have a basement level to their rears, which occasionally is evident on the front with raised front doors reached by steps and small railed front areas. They are generally of three storeys. The main use of the buildings now is as commercial properties.

16/17 South Parade

5. Archaeological significance of the area

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the conservation area boundary. However, this should not be an indication of the lack of potential for archaeology in the area, due to the evolution of the town from its Roman times as well as its position on and above the Great North Road. It is advisable that in order to reduce the risk of encountering important archaeological remains late in any development process (which could involve unforeseen time and cost implications) – any development proposal for this area should be accompanied with a supporting archaeological desk based appraisal. This will determine whether there is a need for field evaluation prior to a planning application being devised, whether there is a need for an archaeological evaluation to be secured by planning condition or whether there is no further archaeological input required.

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6. Architectural and historic qualities of the buildings Listed Buildings There are 17 listed structures within the conservation area. This amounts to all the buildings that front onto South Parade on its southern side and the elements that form the main structures on Hall Cross Hill, which is a cross and a wall (which continues into the adjoining conservation area) and has a gateway within it. A list of all listed buildings is as below and is shown on Map 2. Gateway and wall, Grade II EH reference 335080 Elmfield House Hall Cross Monument Grade II EH reference 335081 1 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335082 2 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335083 3 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335084 4 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335085 5 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335086 6 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335087 6a South Parade Grade II EH reference 335088 7/8 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335089 9/10/11/12 &12a South Parade Grade II EH reference 335090 Salutation PH., South Parade Grade II EH reference 335091 15 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335092 16/16a/17 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335093 18 South Parade Grade II EH reference 335094 19/20/21/21a South Parade Grade II EH reference 335095 22/23/23a South Parade Grade II EH reference 335096

Any works which involve the alteration or extension of a listed building in a way which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest require listed building consent. Repairs do not generally need consent, though the distinction between repair and alteration is often unclear. All parts of a listed building are protected, including its interiors and any building or fixed object within its curtilage at the time of listing. However, not all parts of a listed building will be of the same value in terms of its special interest and there are very few buildings which cannot accommodate some degree of alteration, provided this is done with skill and care. If you are considering doing works to a listed building you are strongly advised to discuss this with a member of the Design and Conservation Team at the earliest opportunity (see Appendix I for contact details).

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Key unlisted structures As all the main historic buildings are those that are on South Parade, and which are all listed, there are no other key buildings in the conservation area. However the arch in the grounds of Denison House is of architectural and historic interest. It was moved here from the Almhouses that previously existed on St. Sepulchre Gate which was part of the Hospital of St. Thomas. The hospital was founded in 1557 by Thomas Ellis, as almhouses for six poor men and women. When these were rebuilt in 1736/7 the gateway was also constructed and served as the central entrance. The almhouses were demolished in 1963 and the archway rebuilt in its present position in 1965. The present siting however is felt to leave the feature looking slightly lost and without any real function. Its movement to another location such as straddling the pathway which links the grounds of the Museum with the grounds of Denison House on their mutual boundary would help to give the feature more relevance and hopefully help with its preservation.

Arch

Sheardown sketch of St. Thomas Hospital from around 1870, with arch in centre

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Other Positive Buildings The Foyer on Chequer Road is partly in this conservation area. Although clearly of its time it is considered to complement the conservation area by its size, use of red brick, curved corner and landmark qualities.

The Foyer

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7. Traditional building materials and local details There is a wide use of stucco and natural slate being used for roofs. Stucco is mainly painted off-white or in shades to reflect natural stone.

4/5/6 South Parade

Sash windows and panelled doors are used to give the formal architecture mentioned above, as well as bow and tri-partite windows, railings and balconies. Doors often have elaborate surrounds. There is one Victorian property where by its architecture contrasts.

Bow and tri-partite windows on Pillar House give it further grandeur

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Fanlight, pillars, corniced portico and balconies add to the

elegance of The Conservation Club

There are several stretches of stone wall in the area and this might be connected to the original closes of Sand Pit and Old Sand Pit Close, which if it is the case would give additional significance to these walls as historic remnants of the former layout of fields.

Stone wall on back lane

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Public realm Within a conservation area the public realm contains features that add to the local distinctiveness of the area. These can include street furniture and materials in pavements. Some of these features may be more prominent than others, whilst some may not be original but still add to the character of the area.

On South Parade the pavements are York stone and within this are other features such as, grills

and drainage pipes that add interest to the floorscape.

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Old street signs add distinctiveness to an area and also

add to the historic character of the area

Even small elements such as footscrapers are remainders

of past ways of life and are part of social history

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The lampposts are modern additions but are detailed to respect the historic environment

On the rear lane off South Parade are examples of

gutter details that also add to the character. When changes are proposed to the public realm the above elements should be retained and be used to guide the choice of materials and design.

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8. Character and relationship of the spaces in the area

Open spaces, such as gardens, car parks and playing fields can contribute to the conservation areas as much as the buildings. Trees and green spaces are dealt with in Chapter 9 of this document and are indicated on Map 2. Due to the built up nature of the area there are very few open spaces apart from the green area between Denison House and the Museum. The existence of Regent Square to the north also helps give a feeling of openness as does the set back of most of the parade behind Hall Cross Hill. The restrained use of street furniture also helps to give an uncluttered appearance to the parade.

South Parade Esplanade

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9. Green Spaces and Trees The main green space of the conservation area is that between Denison House and the Museum. This contrasts with the built up nature of the Parade itself and is well treed.

Green space behind Denison House, 15 South Parade

Aside from the architectural quality of its principal buildings, the key features of this conservation area is the formal Victorian planting of London Plane trees (Platanus x hispanica) that lines South Parade, adding height and diversity to the street scene and increasing its grandeur.

Trees in front of Pillar House

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Although the principal focus of the conservation area is the South Parade frontage, there are also views along the backs of the properties from Waterdale and Chequer Road and trees are important here to filter views and screen modern buildings, extensions and car parking. Sycamore predominates in the backland area but there are a number of mature Horse Chestnut and Beech trees in the grounds of 1 South Parade - Hall Cross House, the Registry Office and the museum frontage. There are also younger plantings of Lime, Ash, Norway Maple, Silver Maple, Red Oak, Birch, False Acacia, Whitebeam and Chequer Tree (synonymous with Chequer Road) within the open space behind Denison House and the museum frontage, and also examples of Holly and some fruit trees (including Pear) within some of the rear gardens. This conservation area is also home to one of the finest trees in the borough, the magnificent Oriental Plane tree (Platanus orientalis) standing behind Dennison House.

Close up aerial photograph showing distribution of green spaces and trees

In recognition of the special contribution that trees can make to the character and appearance of conservation areas, they are afforded a level of protection similar to that of a Tree Preservation Order. Doncaster Council must be notified in writing 6 weeks before any work is carried out so that it has the opportunity to assess whether the proposed work will harm the character and appearance of the conservation area. Any person removing or pruning a tree within a conservation area, without first giving the statutory notification, is guilty of a criminal offence and liable on summary conviction to a heavy fine.

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10. Negative features Negative features are described in the English Heritage guidance as elements that detract from the special character of the area. In terms of the Bennetthorpe Conservation Area, fortunately there are no buildings that are considered to make a negative contribution to the area but there are however a few negative features as outlined below: Rear Extensions Many of the buildings have rear extensions which are of limited architectural value and which are at odds with the original buildings. These are often flat topped and take up the whole width of the plot, with modern, often horizontal windows. The extensions also obliterate the original fenestration of the host buildings.

Modern extensions to rear of buildings on South Parade

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Car parks Many of the back gardens have been turned in to car parks for the premises. Some of these have removed side boundary walls as well as the end walls in order for them to provide as many car parking spaces as possible. This results in a sea of tarmac and cars with little or minimal screening, or trees and landscaping to relieve the harshness of the environment.

Car parks are often a sea of tarmac and cars with little screening and/or landscaping

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Replacement and alterations to windows and roofs Although the listed status of many of the buildings in the area protect the buildings from future harmful alterations, unfortunately some already have occurred. Rear extensions have already been mentioned but other alterations such as changing the position and size of windows as well as the type of windows can alter the overall look of the properties. This is in the main confined to the rear of the properties, however these are often still highly visible and are contributing to a lower quality of environment to the backlands. Unfortunately there are also a few examples where the original natural slate has been replaced with concrete tiles, which would not now be supported and whose rectification should be sought as part of any future plans for the buildings in question.

Examples of modern window additions

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Signage Given the mainly commercial use of the buildings there is becoming a higher demand for signage that is loud rather than brass sign plates that previously fitted with the prestigious nature of the area. Banner signs attached to balconies and large sign attached to building give a tawdry appearance to the conservation area. Even projecting signs can give a cheaper feel to The Parade.

Unattractive signage

However certain types of building are considered to merit a more prominent signage schemes such as the Salutation Public House and DARTS, due to their use, but these should be seen as exceptions rather than examples to be followed.

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Landscape detail and steps The steps connecting the main road of Bennetthorpe and The Parade are very municipal and in additional have been closed off due to safety concerns for a considerable time. Parts of the steps are Victorian or even earlier (there are references to some steps being laid down beneath the Cross in 1826) but they have lost their original railings and are no longer attractive The removal of the steps and their replacement with landscaping would be beneficial to the ambience of the area rather than looking abandoned, especially if done as part of a comprehensive scheme including improvements to the hedges.

Steps on South Parade that have been closed off and

which are suggested to be removed

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11. Neutral features

Neutral features are described as areas that neither enhance nor detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area. Clinic The clinic is a simple building of the 1960s and whilst having a regimented appearance contributes little to the character of the conservation area.

Clinic

Museum The Museum is quite possibly the only purpose-built stand-alone 1960s Museum & Art Gallery in the country and is quintessentially of that iconic style of architecture, which is now starting to become more appreciated and as such is of interest in its own right. However the museum does not significantly add to the character and appearance of this conservation area.

Museum

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Registry Office The use of buff brick and mono-pitched roofs with large floor plan sits at odds with this and the neighbouring conservation area, especially the adjoining listed buildings. It is however hidden to some extent by the wall along South Parade and the trees nearby and it is therefore low key within the area.

Registry office

Extension to Scarborough House Most of Scarborough House lies outside the conservation area but a small part lies within. This has nothing in common with the architecture of the buildings on South Parade, although it is of small scale and therefore does not intrude.

Extension to Scarborough House

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Extensions Extensions have already been mentioned as a negative feature but where there are in less prominent locations, or where their form and size takes account of the original buildings their impact is lessened.

Less intrusive extensions

Car parking Again car parking has previously been mentioned as being negative but where it is less noticeably located and is shielded by walls that do not disrupt the traditional plot boundaries, it has less impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area.

More discreetly located car parking

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12. Condition of Buildings Most buildings are considered to be in good condition although there are some concerns over the amount of buildings that are to let. Long-term vacancy could lead to neglect and this should be monitored in case it turns in to a problem.

13. Problems, Pressures and Capacity for Change

Most buildings were originally built as residential, apart from The Salutation which from the beginning has been a public house, but over time all have changed to commercial and non-residential use. Whilst this has previously been low key to their frontages there are increasing demands for more prominent signage which detracts from the restrained appearance of the area. With the need to exploit commercial value as well as businesses wishing to expand but still in the same location, some buildings have had and continue to have pressure to have rear extensions.

With the increased use of cars there is also the pressure to increase parking, and this has and continues to lead to the loss of rear gardens. There is also potentially less demand for commercial use on South Parade. It is expected that there will be proposals for the return to residential use of the buildings on South Parade, although this is likely to be as flats rather than individual dwellings. This will have an impact on how these premises are sub-divided and how bin storage will be accommodated.

The loss of trees due to many of those originally planted when the area developed coming to the end of their lives, as well as the change in taste and uses of gardens, are contributing to the potential loss of the green character of the conservation area.

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14. Suggested Boundary Changes Since the designation of the conservation area, the area in and around has to some extent altered and buildings that were not considered important at the time of the designation of the conservation area are now considered to make a positive contribution, whilst buildings that are currently included may not now be beneficial to the general ambience of the area. The following area is considered to be now worthy of inclusion. Rear lane There is a small part of the rear lane, which lies behind 2-6 South Parade that is currently not within the conservation area. This lane is bounded by a stone wall which is an important historic feature and which would add to the character of the conservation area if it were to be included. Indeed the continuation of this wall at both ends is in the conservation area. In addition, if the boundary was amended to include the land and the adjoining wall it would be a more definite boundary.

Rear lane

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As well as the above area that should be included the following area is recommended for omission: Clinic and Museum The Clinic, museum and their immediate grounds are not considered to add to the character and appearance of the conservation area as they are of modern character at odds to the generally Georgian ambience of South Parade.

There are also small areas within the present boundary of the conservation area which are recommended to be transferred to other conservation areas due to buildings or features currently being only partially within this conservation area, as follows: Foyer Only a small part of this building on Chequer Road is within Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area and if Doncaster – High Street is extended as recommended in its appraisal this small element should also be transferred to the latter.

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Registry Office, wall and the main road The registry office and the wall to Elmfield Park are currently split between Doncaster – South Parade and Doncaster – Bennetthorpe Conservation Areas. Similarly the main road below the esplanade of South Parade is also split between the same two conservation areas. It is therefore recommended that the boundary between the two conservation areas is amended to follow a more appropriate line. However the amalgamation of the two conservation areas to form one conservation area is also being considered, given their close relationship.

Wall to Elmfield park

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If Doncaster - South Parade Conservation Area remains as a single, rather than a joint conservation area with Doncaster – Bennetthorpe, it would consist of the parade of buildings on South Parade/Hall Cross Hill, their rear grounds and accessways and Hall Cross monument. This would be a much more distinct area.

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15. Summary of Special Interest The special interest of Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area is due to:

• It being a Georgian extension of Doncaster south east along the

Great North Road towards the racecourse

• Being set behind an access lane higher than the main road that

passes to the North

• Concentration of high quality Georgian residential buildings evident

in that all are listed

• Single Victorian property on South Parade

• Several impressive terraces of three storeys, as well as odd

individual town houses and villas

• The wide use of stucco with red brick being used only in a few

circumstances

• The high proportion of natural slate being originally used for roofs

• Sash windows and panelled doors being used to give the formal

architecture mentioned above, as well as bow, bay and tri-partite

windows, railings and balconies.

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Part II – Management Proposals 16. Management Proposals Under Section 71(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Doncaster Council is required to periodically review its conservation areas and to publish proposals for their preservation and enhancement. The purpose of the Management Proposals is to describe mid to long-term strategies for preserving and enhancing the special character and appearance of the Conservation Area. The Management Proposals set out the actions needed to address the issues raised in the Conservation Area Appraisal. The Proposals document recommends both the provision of good practice guidance information to clarify the existing powers, and proposes increased local authority controls within the area. This includes recommendations for further work required for their implementation. It is likely that most, if not all, of the actions itemised in ‘Recommendations’ will have to be co-ordinated by Doncaster Council possibly helped by funding from outside sources, such as the Heritage Lottery Fund or English Heritage. It is accepted that, of necessity, actions will all need to be prioritised according to the availability of resources and it may not be possible to achieve all those scheduled.

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Recommendations

It is recommended that: General 1. The Council should use ‘Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area

Appraisal Part 1: Appraisal’ as a material consideration in determining planning applications

2. The Council should adopt the ‘Doncaster – South Parade Conservation

Area Appraisal Part 2: Management Proposals’ as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in support of a Development Plan Document (DPD) within the emerging Local Development Framework (LDF)

3. The conservation area boundaries should be changed as

recommended in Section 14 4. Consideration should be given to combining Doncaster - South Parade

and Doncaster – Bennetthorpe Conservation Areas into one joint conservation area

5. There is commitment to a five yearly review of the management of the

conservation area.

Development Management 6. The Council should actively promote the protection of listed buildings

and key unlisted feature. The council would be unlikely to grant consent for the demolition of any of the listed buildings, that make up all of the dominant townscape of the conservation area, or the key unlisted feature.

7. The Council should ensure that any development within the

conservation area complements the size and scale of the existing traditional buildings, and should respect the overall historic nature of this conservation area.

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Maintenance and improvements 8. The Council should identify ‘buildings at risk’ and proposals for

remedial work to those identified should be encouraged.

9. The Council should assess tree cover in the area and produce a strategy for the management of trees and other landscape features within the conservation area.

10. The Council should work interdepartmentally and with other bodies to

ensure that any works to the public realm respect the special character and appearance of the conservation area.

Increasing awareness and understanding 11. The Council should ensure that there is the preparation and formal

adoption of guidance explaining conservation policy and good practice and its promotion. Such guidance should include: -

• sympathetic repair and alterations to historic buildings • signage • guidelines for modern development

12. The Council should ensure that the conservation area links into both

the Strategic and Local Green Infrastructures, routes and policies. Green Infrastructures are a way of linking heritage, ecology and recreational assets so as to form a network of spaces, and as such, conservation areas are seen as an important contributor.

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Appendix I Useful Information & Contact Details

Sources of Information Design and Conservation Team Development Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Colonnades House, Duke Street, Doncaster, DN1 1ER Telephone: 01302 734922 E-mail: conservation@doncaster.gov.uk Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk/planning

Local History Library Reference Library Central Library Waterdale Doncaster DN1 3JE Telephone: 01302 734320 E-mail: reference.library@doncaster.gov.uk Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk

Doncaster Archives King Edward Road Balby Doncaster DN4 0NA Telephone: 01302 859811 E-mail: doncaster.archives@doncaster.gov.uk Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk South Yorkshire Archaeology Services Howden House 1 Union Street Sheffield S1 2SH Telephone: 0114 2736354 / 2736428 E-mail: syorks.archservice@sheffield.gov.uk Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk

Doncaster Civic Trust 43 Ellers Avenue, Bessacarr Doncaster DN4 7DY E-mail: mail@doncastercivictrust.org.uk English Heritage - Yorkshire and the Humber Region 37 Tanner Row, York Y01 6WP Telephone: 01904 601 901 Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk Society for the protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) 37 Spital Square London E1 6DY Telephone: 020 7377 1644 E-mail: info@spab.org.uk Website: www.spab.org.uk/ Georgian Group 6 Fitzroy Square London W1T 5DX Telephone: 020 7250 3857 E-mail: info@georgiangroup.org.uk The Victorian Society (South Yorkshire Group) Graham Hague, 39 Cobden View Road, Sheffield S10 1HP Telephone: 0114 268 6729 E-mail: admin@victoriansociety.org.uk The Twentieth Century Society 70 Cowcross Street London EC1M 6EJ Telephone: 020 7250 3857 E-mail: caseworker@c20society.org.uk

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Bibliography Communities and Local Government (2010) Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment, TSO Coote, P (1991) The Salutation Inn, Doncaster Civic Trust Doncaster Civic Trust – Various Articles English Heritage (2011) Understanding Place: Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management Tuffrey, P. (1993) Old Doncaster Memories – Streetwise, Doncaster Star Publications

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Appendix II Relevant Policies of the Doncaster Unitary Development Plan ENV 21 Protection of trees SENV 4 Conserving the built heritage ENV 25 Conservation areas ENV 26 Demolition of buildings in conservation areas ENV 27 Enhancement of conservation areas ENV 28 Restoration schemes in conservation areas ENV 29 Designation and review of conservation areas

ENV 30 Listed buildings ENV 31 Repair and restoration of listed buildings ENV 32 Additions and alterations to listed buildings ENV 33 Preservation and enhancement of listed buildings ENV 34 Setting of listed buildings ENV 35 Protection of archaeological heritage ENV 36 Archaeological evaluation of sites ENV 37 Development affecting archaeological sites ENV 38 Protection of sites from development SENV 6 Quality of design in new development ENV 52 Design of new dwellings ENV 53 Scale and appearance of new dwellings ENV 54 Alterations and extensions ENV 59 Protection of trees on development sites

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PH 8 Infill and small scale housing development SPH 4 Safeguarding residential land PH9-PH12 Residential Policy Areas PH13 Promotion of high standards in design SPH 5 Priority Residential Policy Areas PH16&17 Priority Residential Policy Areas T7 Road improvements.

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Appendix III Community involvement Involving the community (and raising public awareness) has been part of the appraisal process. This has been undertaken by:

• Advertising of the Doncaster - South Parade Conservation Area Appraisal on the Council’s web-site in advance of its draft publication

• The draft appraisal was passed to South Yorkshire Archaeology Service, Neighbourhood Managers, Doncaster Civic Trust and Development Management for comments.

• The consultation was registered with Doncaster’s Consultation Team to ensure that it was in line with Doncaster Corporate guidelines

• An e-mail was sent on 6 December 2011 to the Chair and Vice Chair of Planning Committee and Local Ward Members, informing them of the appraisal, the forthcoming consultation and welcoming comments

• The appraisal was made available on the Council’s website on 6 December 2011 welcoming comments

• Site notices were erected on 8 December 2011 in and around Doncaster – South Parade Conservation Area, advertising the consultation of the appraisal and asking for comments. Copies were also made available at the Central Library, as well as at the Planning Department, again with notices welcoming comments

• A notice was placed in the Doncaster Star on 8 December 2011 advertising the forthcoming start of the consultation period for the draft appraisal and asking for comments

• The Consultation Period officially started from 12 December 2011 to 27 January 2012

• Handouts were delivered to properties within the conservation area on 21 December 2012.

Responses Doncaster Civic Trust were in agreement with all recommendations and were particularly pleased with the accuracy of the dates of the buildings on the maps. Concerns were however raised over the future of the archway within the grounds of Denison House. The Manager of Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery thought that the amendment of the boundary was understandable but was concerned that the architectural value of the Museum had not been fully recognised.

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Amendments The possibility of moving the archway that is currently located within the grounds of Denison House to a more suitable location is now mentioned. Additional text has been added recognising the architectural merit of the Museum, although it is still proposed to be removed from the Conservation Area as its character is markedly different from those on South Parade itself.