English Heritage has highlighted Matlock Bridge conservation area, including Crown Square and Dale Road, as an area in danger of neglect and decay and has listed it on its Heritage at Risk register.

In their findings, conservation chiefs said the character of the area around the 13th Century bridge is being eroded by alterations to streetscape and buildings, including inappropriate shopfronts and signage, and the decline of the commercial sector.

Members of Matlock Partnership have pledged to help bring the area back to its former glory.

Chairman Marilyn Hamilton said: "With community support the conservation area is more likely to improve.

"I'm pleased the survey has highlighted this area because it validates what local people are feeling which is much more could be made of this space.

"This is a conservation area and we really need to protect it. If rules had been stricter we would not have got were we are now.

"We are very willing to work with the council to find out what work needs to be done and help get local people involved."

English Heritage asked Derbyshire Dales District Council to complete a questionnaire as part of the survey and is urging council departments to work together to take better care of public areas.

Nationally top threats to the conservation area include plastic windows and doors, poorly maintained roads and pavements, street clutter, unsympathetic extensions and neglected green spaces.

Cllr Steve Flitter, Matlock's deputy mayor, said: "Matlock Bridge has been a contentious area with the town council for the last few years. We wanted to make that part of town a feature and link Dale Road with the rest of the town."

He added: "Matlock Town centre should be a priority for the district council.

"We have played our part in supporting developments in Bakewell, Wirksworth and Ashbourne and Matlock always seems to be at the back of the queue.

"Well I'm afraid it is Matlock's turn now and we are not going to just sit back and let this sort of thing happen for much longer."

A spokesman for the district council said: "Matlock Bridge Conservation Area was designated in October 1989 and subsequently extended in July 2008 to include Hall Leys Park and properties in and around Crown Square.

"In 2003 grant monies from the district council, English Heritage, Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and Matlock Town Council enabled repairs and enhancement works to be carried out to commercial and residential properties in the Conservation Area, particularly around Dale Road.

"Over the four years of the scheme, around £300,000 of public grant monies were invested in the area. Grant aided works enabled buildings to be brought back into viable use, and in addition new shop fronts were funded, as well as localised repairs to stonework, roofs, windows.

"In an effort to further improve things, the district council introduced an Article 4 Direction in part of the Matlock Bridge Conservation Area in 2006 in order to protect those features that would be damaged by inappropriate changes. A letter was sent to all of the properties covered by the Article 4 Direction explaining that certain alterations, specific to each affected property, would now require planning consent.


"The district council's Conservation Officer is always willing to work in partnership with others and would be more than happy to discuss any possibilities with the Matlock Partnership."