Conservation Area: St Giles conservation area (DNN12209)

The Conservation Area was designated on 25th June 1986 following a period of consultation with amenity organisations, local businesses and residents. The boundary has not altered since designation. The Conservation Area is situated in the eastern quarter of the town centre and straddles a primary access route into the town centre. It is nucleated around the tranquil St Giles Church and Church yard, bounded by Cheyne Walk, York Road, St Giles Terrace and Spring Gardens, forming a tight boundary around a primarily Victorian area of distinct character. The building types vary from grand villas to more modest Victorian terraces. One of the primary characteristics of the area is the careful attention given to architectural detailing and use of high quality materials – evident in most building types – which cumulatively adds to the character of the area. It is essential that these characteristics are retained and where necessary restored for the benefit of the local community and future generations. The southern boundary adjoins the Derngate Conservation Area. The majority of buildings within the area are Victorian with a range of fine villas and elegant rows of red brick terraces. These buildings would have been residential properties for the wealthier residents of the town but are now primarily in office use. This change has been beneficial in ensuring that the buildings, many of which are listed, are kept in economic use and well maintained. A more recent trend has seen some of the properties converted back into residential use. The villa gardens of the nineteenth century fronting Cheyne Walk and Spencer Parade create an interesting composition of houses set in their own grounds. The properties are generally well set back into the plot and are surrounded by boundary walls and planting creating a visual separation between the private and public environment. Some of the characteristic hard landscaping elements and planting still survive in Cheyne Walk and Spencer Parade and although these elements are humble, they are none the less important in creating the distinctive character of the area.

Record last edited

Dec 6 2021 2:24PM