Plans put forward to help protect ‘important’ buildings in Long Buckby

Residents of the village will be consulted on whether the area should be adopted, which would offer greater assurances that any planning changes would be done in a manner that is ‘sensitive’ to the character and appearance of the village.

The conservation area, which would be the 32nd of its kind in the Daventry district, would cover High Street, King Street, Church Street, Nuns Lane, Market Place and Holyoake Terrace. It would also cover parts of West Street, Harbidges Lane, East Street, The Banks, Station Road and Brington Road.

It also includes proposals to identify a number of buildings as ‘locally listed’, which are considered important but do not qualify for national ‘listed’ status. These include Church Farm (next to St Lawrence’s Church), the church’s School Rooms, the former Assembly Rooms on Church Street, the former Co-Operative building on High Street, Long Buckby Infants’ School and The Peacock public house. Inclusion on the ‘local list’ provides weight to protecting and retaining the building should it be at risk, but it does not offer planning protection in the way being a ‘listed building’ would.

Councillors at Daventry District Council’s strategy group met last Thursday (October 15) to discuss the proposals. Councillor Alan Chantler said: “It might surprise some of you, as it surprised me, that Long Buckby didn’t have a conservation area. I thought it probably would have done. It does have the canal passing through it, which is included in the canal conservation area, but not one of its own.”

A management plan prepared as part of the conservation area proposals would also become a Supplementary Planning Document once approved, which could influence future planning decisions.

The scheme also suggests introducing ‘Article 4’ directions at specific locations to protect historic features. The result of an Article 4 direction is that permitted development rights are withdrawn and planning permission is required to undertake certain works, such as painting the buildings or changing windows and doors. Permission would not be required otherwise.

Councillor Adam Brown questioned what kind of fees would be taken up by a homeowner making an alteration to their property under the Article 4 directions. Officers were unable to answer entirely, but Simon Bowers, executive director for business, estimated that it would be £100 or less, in line with standard fees for planning applications.

Ward councillor Steve Osborne enthusiastically backed the proposals though, saying: “It’s absolutely brilliant so well done to the people that compiled it. Some of it was most enlightening and I showed it to my grandson who is very interested in history, and he wants it as soon as I’ve finished with it so he can see all the pictures and read all about Long Buckby. It’s absolutely marvellous, one of the best reports I’ve ever seen about Long Buckby and I will happily support the proposals.”

Councillors approved putting the conservation area proposals out for a six-week consultation. There are also plans to potentially hold a public meeting if this is able to be achieved in a way that minimises the risk of spreading COVID-19.