RESIDENTS are invited to air their views on proposals to extend three conservation areas in the borough.

There are 22 conservation areas in the borough, boasting areas of architectural or historic interest and able to attract heritage funding for improvements, and Dudley Council is proposing draft conservation area character appraisals for three of them - Wollaston, Wordsley and All Saints in Sedgley.

Developed to preserve and enhance areas of special architectural or historic interest for future generations - the appraisals recommend amending the boundaries of the conservation areas as well as highlighting issues and proposals for enhancements which can include improvements to shop frontages, the public realm, street planting, green spaces, open public space or introducing gateway features.

In Wollaston there are proposals to extend the current boundary to parts of Bridgnorth Road, High Park Avenue, Gladstone Road, High Street, Meriden Avenue and Eggington Road.

The Wordsley Church conservation area looks set to be extended to number three and five Chapel Street and the west of High Street, while two areas are proposed to be removed from the conservation area as they do not possess sufficient special historic interest compared to the rest of the area.

In Sedgley the proposal is to extend the current boundary of the conservation area to include parts of High Street, Bilston Street, Brick Street, Dudley Street, The Priory, High Holborn and Tipton Street.

Councillor Ian Kettle, Dudley’s cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “The council has a duty to preserve and enhance areas of special architectural or historic interest and so we regularly review the extent of existing conservation areas.

“We are looking to incorporate these additional areas as they demonstrate special interest and we want to hear people’s views on our proposals before February 19.”

Full details, including proposals of the new boundaries and an online questionnaire, can be found at http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/planning/historic-environment/draft-caca/.

The proposals can also be viewed at 4 Ednam Road, Dudley, and in borough libraries in Stourbridge, Brierley Hill, Dudley, Halesowen, Wordsley and Sedgley.