Consultation on review of city conservation area

A consultation on plans to review a conservation area in Leicester has been launched.

The city council is inviting comments on a new draft character appraisal and management plan for the Evington Village conservation area.

It contains several listed buildings including the Gothic-style Baptist chapel, a war memorial and St Denys Church, which dates back to 13th Century.

The authority hopes to encourage people to share their views on how they should be preserved or enhanced.

The conservation area, which stretches from Evington Park in the north to Shady Lane in the south, is centred on the historic village.

As well as the listed buildings, there is also a scheduled ancient monument known as Piggy's Hollow, which are the remains of a 13th Century medieval manor house.

It is believed the name came from a local farmer, who lived in Church Road and kept pigs in the hollow.

A character appraisal is a document that defines the special qualities of a conservation area and is used to help preserve and enhance the area's character and appearance.

A spokesperson for the city council said the new appraisal would mean all its 25 conservation areas would have an appraisal document for the first time, with work ongoing to revise versions for various others in the city.

The authority also hopes to work towards allowing it more powers to help protect the distinctive character of properties in the area.

People can comment on the proposals on the council's website until 12 May. People can also attend a public event on 30 April at St Denys Parish Centre.

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