Conservation Area: Sandbach Town Centre Conservation Area (018)

Sandbach Conservation Area is a multi period conservation area that encompasses different eras of town development. These character areas exhibit specific and varied townscape characteristics and features of special interest that will be explained, area by area, later in this appraisal. The town centre retains its identity as a market town which has a medieval heart focused upon the historic market square and church. This core area is surrounded by attractively grouped buildings and structures dating from the 16th to the 19th Century. Contrasting, distinct character areas to the north further enrich the significance of the conservation area, reflecting the Victorian and early Edwardian expansion of the town, initially in a linear fashion along key routes and then infilled by later Victorian/Edwardian growth. Key elements of significance are: * Key landmark buildings of different periods, many of which are listed. * St Mary’s Church and its grounds act as both a key landmark but also a green heart for the town, which is visible in several key vantage points, particularly from the south, east and west. * Other key historic buildings define focal points in key views, including the Town Hall, the Literary Institute, Old Hall, The Black Bear and the Swan and Chequers. * The historic medieval and post medieval street pattern is largely intact and is particularly evident in Well Bank, Crown Bank, Hawke Street, Church Street, Front Street, Back Street, Hope Street and part of High Street. The latter having been re-developed by Georgian and Victorian buildings. * A stronger sense of enclosure and urban character in the northern area with buildings defining edges of the public realm and largely continuous frontages. The townscape in the south is of a more organic, informal character, with enclosure created by boundaries as well as buildings and with areas of private frontage. * Pedestrian lanes and streets radiating from the market square are a remnant of the historic medieval townscape in the southern part of the conservation area. * There is townscape contrast between the greener character of the southern part of the conservation area and the harder, more urban townscape to the north. The churchyard is the key area of green space and mature landscape in the conservation area. * The cobbled market square defines the primary space with its historic Anglo Saxon crosses and enclosure by a number of characterful buildings. * The later townscape phases in the Hightown area and Green Steet/Welles Street have a more formal, planned character reflecting their development in the Victorian period. * Several monuments exist within the conservation area creating focal points within the townscape (all are protected) . * A rich variety of architectural detail including a number of timber framed buildings, Georgian and ornate neo-gothic Victorian architecture and some reasonable early 20th century early modernist architecture. The richness of features above eye level extends from high status landmark buildings to lower status, everyday buildings. * Areas of historic cobbled streets and pavements predominantly within the medieval core area, with sporadic remnants of Victorian surfacing comprising stone sets and gulleys and blue brick paving. * A mix of uses predominantly focused on retail with a high percentage of local independent retailers. The town centre is primarily active during the daytime rather than the evening. * Historical events and commemorations associated with the town, not least the skirmish at Scotch Common, the weekly market and two fairs and more modern events such as the annual transport festival.