Preserving Fylde's gems for generations to come

The public's help is wanted to ensure Fylde's historic landmarks are preserved for future generations.
The White Church at FairhavenThe White Church at Fairhaven
The White Church at Fairhaven

Fylde Council has made its adopted Built Heritage Strategy available online and is looking for individuals and groups to be part of a heritage forum.

The Strategy, part of the Fylde Local Plan, sets out in detail how important the historic environment is to the character of the borough, how it is being protected now and should be in the future.

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Highlighting the importance of the borough’s existing heritage, it’s a first for Fylde and has been welcomed by the Lytham St Annes Civic Society, which is continuing to play a key part in its formation.

Listed buildings, such as the White Church at Fairhaven, conservation areas and nationally-designated historic parks and gardens and even features such as postboxes all come under the spotlight in the document which has the backing of Historic England.

Paul Drinnan, head of regeneration at Fylde Council, said: “Through it’s national planning policies, the Government is keen to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of heritage, as defined by local communities, that will have a particular influence in future planning decisions,

“Heritage protection and conservation features strongly within the forthcoming Local Plan for Fylde which in turn relates directly to the Heritage Strategy, and sets out policies and projects in great detail.

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“The strategy identifies how national and local organisations can support the protection of the heritage and includes the idea of a borough-wide heritage forum, where individuals and organisations can help to undertake a number of projects, which are contained within the strategy in the form of an action plan.

“The aim of the heritage forum is to enlist the help of the general public and groups who can assist with the development of heritage projects and tasks set out in the action plan to the strategy.

“This might include initiatives to produce advice notes on good design, exhibitions, conservation area survey work and the creation of heritage trails.

“The most important aspect in creating the forum will be one of providing valuable time to assist in the delivery of projects from a wide range of community interest.”

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Marion Coupe, chairman of Lytham St Annes Civic Society, said: “We are delighted that we now have a Heritage Strategy.

“Valuing our heritage is important in so many ways, for community cohesion in building an identity, and for the local economy in terms of tourism and conserving a pleasant town where businesses will wish to re-locate.

“We look forward to helping to implement it and are already very involved in creating a local list of heritage assets by funding a post to identify them.”

More information and the strategy can be found online at www.fylde.gov.uk/council/your-council/heritagestrategy, while anyone interested in joining the heritage forum should contact Paul Drinnan on (01253) 658434 or Catherine Kitching on (01253) 658429.

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