A PROJECT to increase the size of the conservation area in Blaenavon and protect its heritage must be sympathetic towards the town centre’s current economic struggles.

Torfaen councillors approved a proposal to increase the size of the conservation area, which ensures the preservation and enhancement of the town centre’s character.

The plan forms part of a £2million funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) which will aim to extend the existing boundary to the south eastern and south western areas.

The conservation area was designated in 1984, covering 19 hectares around the historic core of the town and was last extended in 2011.

That amendment included parts of Old Queen Street, Phillip’s Street and parts of Alma Street and Ellick Street, the Blaenavon Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan (BTCCAAMP) is reviewed every five years.

The area at present includes 26 listed buildings and one Scheduled Ancient Monument and the updated plan will run between 2017 and 2022, of which the £2million application forms part of it.

During the consultation into the plans, three areas of key concern were addressed, one of which was highlighted by Cllr Stuart Evans, the deputy mayor of Torfaen and Blaenavon ward member.

“I agree with the sentiment that the town is struggling economically and conservation aspirations need balance against practical considerations,” he said.

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“I think that is very important. “

Two other key concerns were raised during the consultation period, which ran from July to September.

The first was the “proposed area of extension was not large enough and should be extended to cover the majority of the historic town”.

The second is “the council should use the powers that it has to manage general dilapidation of both the built and natural environment within the conservation area”.

Thee main difference to the extended boundaries will see the inclusion in the conservation area of St Peter’s churchyard, Duke Street, Rhydyndos Street, Hill Street and King Street – which are all of a similar time period to the roads currently covered.

One of the key areas in the proposal is to protect and improve areas of key heritage importance, as well as developing Broad Street – Blaenavon’s shopping road.

“Key assets identified as being of key importance include the historic buildings and townscapes, the high quality regeneration of Broad Street and the repair and reuse of key heritage buildings including St. Peters School as the World Heritage Centre,” said Rebecca Hartley, the team leader for economy, renewal and culture in the report.

“The plan also identifies negative factors which predominantly relate to the impacts of economic decline which has resulted in unused buildings and a general sense of neglect.

“Poor maintenance and inappropriate repairs have also led to the deterioration and loss of some architectural and heritage details which has adversely impacted upon the wider streetscape centred on the core area of Broad Street.

“The extension to the Conservation Area is effectively a change in planning policy to those areas affected as it will extend the area in which the local planning authority have a statutory duty to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving and enhancing the character and appearance of the area.”

Following the approval of the plan at the meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Alan Jones and Cllr Fiona Cross, the executive members for business, tourism, leisure, culture and the environment respectively, will have delegated authority for the resulting management and maintenance action plan.

Cllr Jones thanked the team behind the creation of the report for the “tremendous amount of work” to date.

He also paid tribute to Blaenavon Town Council for their involvement and financial support in the consultation document.

The updated plan will allow the council to put forward an application with the Townscape Heritage Programme (THP) grant aid scheme.

Torfaen council already has stage one approval and the proposed £2million grant from the HLF will be developed as part of the second stage of the plan.

Following the approval from the local authority, the Welsh Government will be informed of the boundary change.