Plastic windows and satellite dishes putting heritage at risk (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Plastic windows and satellite dishes putting heritage at risk

6:40am Monday 6th July 2009

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TWO conservation areas in Prestwich are being threatened by plastic windows and satellite dishes.

That is the verdict of English Heritage, who listed seven out of the borough’s 12 conservation areas on its Heritage at Risk register.

The organisation launched a survey of conditions in the 9,300 conservation areas nationwide, which found that one in seven was at risk of neglect, decay or damaging change.

The top threats were listed as plastic windows and doors, poorly maintained roads and pavements, street clutter, satellite dishes, building extensions, and advertisements.

The areas in Prestwich considered to be at risk are Poppythorn and St Mary’s Park.

English Heritage is now urging councils and residents to do more to protect these areas against change.

Chief executive, Dr Simon Thurley, said: “Our survey shows that conservation areas with community support are more than twice as likely to have improved over the last three years as those without. And there are countless instances where civic societies and residents groups are helping councils by finding out what local people value, by doing street clutter audits, commenting on planning applications or helping to prepare local lists of historic buildings.”

A council spokesman said: “The picture in Bury’s conservation areas reflects a national concern, where the special character of these areas is being slowly eroded. In Bury we have responded to this by producing area studies and management plans to best guide each area’s protection and improvement.

“These plans are either currently published or in preparation for most conservation areas, and a process of implementation has begun. All plans have been through intensive area consultation and the council is also working closely with local heritage societies and community groups to produce and implement proposals, and to give guidance to area residents and businesses.”

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