18 February 2008, 08/37
Dip into pages of history
If you have an interest in local history then a new publication
from West Lancashire District Council should be a fascinating
read.
The Council's Heritage and Environment service has produced a brief
history of all the district's 28 conservation areas simply called
'The Conservation Areas of West Lancashire: A Brief History'.
It's not a full and complete account, but it's the ideal document
for people with a general interest in their area or as a start for
more detailed research.
West Lancashire's conservation areas cover around three-and-a-half
square miles of the district and vary from urban areas such as
Ormskirk town centre, to rural attractions such as Great Altcar
near Formby.
Some of the district's historic buildings are also featured, such
as Rufford Old and New Halls and St Michael's Church. Other areas
include a canal side hamlet, a street of quality Victorian houses
and a medieval village centre.
The first conservation areas in the country were established in
1967 and there are now more than 8,000 nationwide. The Council has
a duty to review these areas and come up with plans for preserving
and enhancing them.
Having just completed the final area review, the document produces
a single reference point, which brings together all the information
gathered from our diverse district.
It is now available in local libraries and from the Council
customer service points at Derby Street, Ormskirk and The
Concourse, Skelmersdale. It is also available as a download from
our heritage
pages.
Portfolio holder Cllr Ian Grant, said: "Having come to the end of
reviewing all 28 conservation areas in the district, it seemed a
good time to mark the occasion and the publication is, I think, a
great way of doing it.
"It is packed full of local history facts about our most historic
villages and settlements, that should provide entertaining reading
as well as being a useful resource, whether you're a history buff
or a casual reader."
Related information
> Heritage & conservation