Caldbeck Conservation Area
We have carried out an Appraisal of Caldbeck Conservation Area. The draft Appraisal assesses the special qualities which justify its designation and helps to determine whether any alterations in the boundary need to be made. A draft Management Plan has also been prepared outlining the measures for the preservation and enhancement of the area.
We would like comments on the draft Appraisal from local residents, local stakeholders and interest groups.
Why is Caldbeck special?
Caldbeck is a small historic hamlet set in a sheltered location along the banks of the Cald Beck with attractive architectural and historic character. This includes:
- At the meeting point of numerous roads, bridle-tracks and footpaths (including the Cumbria Way Long Distance Footpath) linking Caldbeck to the high sheep-grazed fells to the south and west and to the patchwork of small fields and cattle pasture surrounding the village
- The main focus of settlement around two fords – across the Cald Beck and the Gill Beck, that were replaced by stone bridges as recently as 1928
- Principally built on the southern bank of the river, where the church, rectory and tithe barn are located and a large churchyard with some notable 18th-century headstones, including those of the celebrated huntsman, John Peel
- A secondary focus along the eastern and western sides of a long steep village green that descends from the north to the river crossing, with springs, watercourses, and duck pond
- Numerous barns dating from the 17th to 19th centuries and testifying to the agricultural origins of Caldbeck
- An unusually high number of 18th and 19th-century mills, representing the industrial phase of Caldbeck’s development when the hamlet was the focus of various industries including corn milling, wool spinning and carding, bobbin making, and stone quarrying and metal mining
- Working farms and grazing sheep, cattle and ducks in the centre of the village and in the fields that descend into the village
- Wide green verges and numerous tree-lined water courses, with a backdrop of woodland and rounded fells, enhancing the close relationship between Caldbeck and the surrounding landscape
- Significant long views through the conservation area to high peaks, including Caldbeck Fells to the south and the woodland of Parson’s Park to the east
- A thriving commercial hub catering to visitors with barns, workshops and mills serving as retail outlets and as workshops for the manufacture of furniture, clogs, clocks and jewellery
Public consultation
The involvement of local community, stakeholders and those with an interest in the local area in the designation of a conservation area and in the preparation of appraisals and management plans is an essential part of the process. Such involvement can integrate local knowledge into the appraisal and bring invaluable public understanding and ownership to proposals for the conservation area. The initial appraisal and management plan are draft documents to enable them to be amended if required.
Each appraisal and management plan involves a four week period of consultation during which time an exhibition will be held in the local area for the public.
Find out more
Caldbeck Draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (opens Document Library)
Read more about the benefits of Conservation Areas and the Appraisals process.
To comment
We want to hear the views of local people, organisations and businesses and other interest groups about the proposed conservation area.
Please give us your views using the Conservation Area Assessment Questionnaire (opens Document Library). Please download and either print out and send to:
David James
Lake District National Park Authority
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 7RL
or email as an attachment to david.james@lake-district.gov.uk by 27 May 2009
Exhibition
A local exhibition has been arranged at Caldbeck Parish Hall on:
- Monday 11 May 2009 from 6.30pm
Someone will be available at the exhibition if you have any questions.
The matter will then be introduced and discussed at the Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm.
If you can't make it, don't worry! You can look at the Caldbeck Conservation Area Exhibition Panels online (opens Document Library)
