25 June 2009,
09/126
Council's heritage team scoop top
award
West Lancashire Borough Council has won a top
award from English Heritage for its outstanding work in conserving
and protecting the area’s historic buildings and landscapes.
The Council’s portfolio holder for Planning,
Cllr Martin Forshaw, will receive the English Heritage North
West regional award at a special ceremony on 14 July.
The accolade is one of nine regional awards
given across the country to local authorities judged to have made
the biggest contribution to management of conservation areas over
the last three years.
Cllr Martin Forshaw, portfolio holder for
Planning, said: “It is a tremendous achievement to win this award
from English Heritage and underlines the efforts the Council has
made in conserving, protecting and enhancing the heritage of West
Lancashire which has many beautiful historic buildings and
places.“
Some of the key areas highlighted by English
Heritage are:
- All 28 conservation areas in West Lancs had an appraisal
and the appraisals are beginning to be updated. In this, West
Lancs is an example of good practice in the management of
conservation areas
- English Heritage advises that the public should be
consulted as part of the appraisal process and this is
something that West Lancs has done, again following the best
practice advice
- The information on the West Lancs website about heritage
and conservation www.westlancs.gov.uk/heritage was also
praised by English Heritage
Karl Creaser, English Heritage NW Regional Policy Adviser, said:
“West Lancashire’s website is well laid out, easy to use and
provides the sort of information that users want to find. The
information is up-to-date and helpful. This enables it to be
of use to those wishing to get involved in managing and enjoying
their heritage – something that English Heritage actively
encourages.”
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