Our neighbourhoods' bricks and mortar
Historic buildings on Cowick Street - does anyone know what the corner business was originally?
Katharine Metcalfe, Exeter City Council
Changes to historic buildings
By Russell Luscombe
Some people may know that in recent years the City Council has produced Character Appraisals and Management Plans for Conservation Areas across the city. These documents set out the special characteristics of an area's built heritage, both of remaining historic buildings and those lost over the years. They also highlight opportunities for improvement.
There are four Conservation Areas that cover the West Exe area, including Cowick Street nearest to where I live. The Appraisals and Management Plans can be found on the web link below, amongst those for other parts of the city.
Appraisals and Management Plans
What do you think?
My interest is what happens to the buildings and sites (like parks) identified in the appraisals as being of historic and architectural interest, some of which are under threat or neglected. The management plans set out the perceived priorities for improvement, such as maintenance of St Thomas Pleasure Ground. I wonder whether other residents feel that those issues and sites are still where action is needed most, and if so, how this can be achieved.
I feel it is vital to repair and reuse where possible our communities' historic buildings and sites, such as the former fillings stations on Cowick Street (at least there is some progress on those particular sites). Does anyone feel the same and have any ideas?