Conservation Area: Barrack Road Conservation Area (DNN12350)

The Barrack Road Conservation Area is situated approximately one kilometre to the north of Northampton town centre. It covers an area of about 8.5 hectares, comprises approximately 150 properties, and is situated in the Castle and Kingsley Wards. Map 1 shows its location and extent. The conservation area was designated on 2 February 1987, the boundary was extended on 2 December 1999, and an Article 4(2) Direction came into effect on 20 October 2000. The character of the Barrack Road Conservation Area and its townscape are almost wholly derived from its development as high quality residential area laid out over a relatively short period. The street blocks are set in a fairly regular pattern and, as such, are typical of many middle class residential developments of the mid-nineteenth century. The buildings are generally arranged in terraces, have narrow frontage widths and three storeys above ground. The conservation area has four distinct areas of architectural character. The buildings to the south of the St George's Avenue junction (that is, those fronting Barrack Road) are generally designed in the 'grand manner' and show a variety of dates, styles and materials. To the west of Barrack Road is the Catholic Cathedral and Bosworth College, which introduce a Victorian gothic element into what is a primarily classical styled area. To the north of St George's Avenue (fronting Kingsthorpe Road) the buildings predominantly comprise terrace houses of a straightforward Victorian design. St George’s Avenue itself has a quieter, more open feel encouraged by the adjoining Racecourse. Map 1 shows the boundaries of the conservation area and these character zones. Notwithstanding these differences, the area as a whole has an architectural unity that results from its scale, mass and the use of simplified classical detailing. The local landscape rises steadily away from the town centre in the south of the conservation area. To the west the land drops away towards the river, while to the east the land is level. In the north of the conservation area, the land sharply drops towards Kingsthorpe Hollow, creating some considerable level differences. The conservation area extends from Arnold Street in the north to Leicester Terrace in the south, largely comprising the properties that front both sides of the main road (Barrack Road / Kingsthorpe Road) that runs northwards from the town centre in the direction of Market Harborough. To the east, the conservation area boundary is drawn to the rear of the properties fronting Barrack Road, extending east at St George's Avenue to include the properties as far as Brick Kiln Lane before returning to follow the rear boundaries of the properties fronting Kingsthorpe Road. The western boundary is also drawn to the rear of the properties fronting on to Kingsthorpe Road, extending westwards at Cathedral House to include the properties in Marriott Street before returning to follow the rear boundaries of the properties fronting Barrack Road.

Record last edited

Dec 3 2021 3:46PM