Stow - Conservation areas

Conservation Area
Stow
Conservation Area Statement
The Stow Conservation Area entails much of the centre of the original settlement and includes the Subscription Bridge and the Church of St Mary of Wedale.

St Mary’s of Stow was, in the 14th century, an early sanctuary where people accused of crimes could gain protection and immunity.

Weaving and spinning were the main sources of employment until the railway arrived in the mid 19th century.

The Conservation Area retains many of the historic properties that are only found in such a distinctive place.

Stow is centred round the remains of the Old Parish Church and the remains of the Bishop of St Andrew’s manor house that is also known as the ‘palace’.

The Conservation Area of Stow is built-up of a range of different styles and types of properties.

These range from the small, single storey cottage type to the grand baronial Town Hall. At the centre of Stow is the Pennywhiggam Burn which flows through the settlement (east/west) and is bounded by ash trees and provides a green space.

The elements of the Conservation Area that require protection are those features that if lost would erode the overall character these include the use of traditional materials – sand and whin stone, slate and harl.

Architectural elements like rybats, margins and transom lights are also notable throughout Stow.

While these individual elements of the built fabric may not appear significant, their collective contribution to the Conservation Area forms its character. Any new development or alterations must therefore aim to respect the individual building and the wider Conservation Area and take account of these important features.

The amended Conservation Area has four listed properties; the Old Parish Church and the Subscription Bridge are also Scheduled Ancient Monuments.
Designation, adoption and boundary information
Alterations to the Stow Conservation Area boundary from that shown in the Ettrick and Lauderdale Local Plan (1995) consist of the exclusion of 221 and 224 Galashiels Road, 10 Lauder Road, 27 Cotland Place, 34, 55, 57 and 59 Earlston Road, 71 – 79 (odd no’s) Earlston Road, 66, 68, 70, 80, 81, 86 and 88 Earlston Road, Fairview and an area of Hay Park Wood. The exclusion of the field to the west of the Conservation Area as well as the Quoiting Green is also proposed. General tidying of the boundary is also proposed so that it follows elements on the ground.
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Heritage and Design Officer
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