Keswick risks its town centre becoming another identikit high street unless more is done to protect the history and heritage of its buildings, a meeting has heard.
Retailers in the town centre are putting up “over-sized and jarring fascia boards” as shop fronts which have been deemed “unsympathetic to the age and character” of some classic buildings, according to officials.
Signs used by national chains Boots on Main Street was singled out as an example of a large frontage which could have been more sensitive to its surroundings, the meeting heard. And the Costa Coffee shop on Station Street, next to the Royal Oak, had also placed a frontage concealing the “gorgeous” window features of the original property, a national park committee was told on Wednesday.
There were examples of other independent shops and a restaurant also using “inappropriate, excessive, or over-sized” signage on shop fronts along historic St John’s Street too, the meeting heard.
On Wednesday, Rose Lord, a built environment adviser to the Lake District National Park Authority, spelled out some of the issues as the LDNPA seeks to do more to help protect and enhance Keswick’s buildings of historical interest.
Ms Lord told the park’s strategy and vision committee: “We see a lot of clutter. Lots of signs go up and the old ones never come down. We see inappropriate materials and construction methods almost everywhere.
“Some of the issues are around commercial shop fronts and signage. Some of these are historic and have been there quite a while. Others, sadly, are fairly new. I know the cheapest and easiest option is to get a big plastic fascia board and put it on the front of the building, but it’s not the most appropriate or attractive way of doing things.”
However, the national park conceded that there are businesses in Keswick who have demonstrated good examples of shop fronts.
The town’s retailers also needed proper guidance from the LDNPA as to what they can do to help preserve the built heritage, the authority accepts.
Panel members felt that the LDNPA had to take more enforcement action because unless it acted quickly against unauthorised developments it would be seen as “a soft touch”.
Panel member Judith Derbyshire said many high streets suffered the problem of all looking the same, although Ludlow, Shropshire, had managed to retain its historic charm.
Concerns have also been raised that clutter is also spreading to Keswick’s ancient yards – obstructing accessibility for some and being used to store bins, park cars or abandoned old extractor equipment.
More buildings in Keswick could also be officially listed on the Historic England register to give them national protections — making it less easy for alterations to be made and allowing enforcement action to be taken if the works do not meet set standards.
Ms Lord explained: “For a town of its age and size, Keswick is under listed. There’s a lot of buildings and property worthy of being listed.”
Householders in the back streets may not get away scot-free either. There are plans by the national park to curb some “permitted development rights”.
Permitted development rights allow home owners to make certain external changes without the need for applying for planning permission.
A rule called Article 4 could be extended across the Keswick Conservation Area which would remove certain rights and follows a mish-mash of rear extensions, changes to windows and doors.
Panel member Geoff Davies, of Braithwaite, commended the work that has been done, calling it “excellent,” as did fellow committee member Tiffany Hunt MBE.
Panel member Cllr Tony Lywood told the meeting: “Some shop fronts have always been a problem but the ones that do the job properly tend to be very informative and good.” He agreed that businesses would benefit from funding for shop fronts.
The measures planned include a massive extension to the town’s Conservation Area. It will now have several large areas added including Hope Park, Crow Park, Upper Fitz Park, Manor Park, Keswick Station and Hotel, and the area covered by the residential terraces of Wordsworth Street to Blencathra Street.
