Conservation Area: Holmes Chapel Conservation Area (073)

The village centre includes a collection of buildings around The Square and the Church of St Luke. This area comprises the historic core of the village and is designated as a conservation area. It is a small and compact conservation area located along the south side of the west – east A 535 Middlewich Road on the junction and the north – south A 50 from Middlewich Road, The Square. It also includes Church View and Church Walk. The topography is flat and there is a solid and consistent building and street line. It is a busy urban village, with mostly commercial properties, but some are residential to the west and east of the village centre. The special interest of the Holmes Chapel Conservation Area derives from the following elements: 1. Urban village centre around key historic roads 2. Historic core of the village focused on the Church of St Luke and The Square 3. The high-quality townscape and domestic village character of Church View 4. The historic and hierarchical street layout that includes The Square, Church View, and Church Walk 5. Stop views of key historic buildings The leafy approach roads to the village centre The form of the historic village is recognisable today from the nucleated settlement pattern of the 19th century. There have been some changes, such as the demolition of The Bulls head in 1948 because of road improvements, and the George and Dragon in 1970. However, the architecture is recognisable and distinct and the character compact. Holmes Chapel is a small conservation area. Within it, there are five distinct character areas: - 1. The Square - the historic core of the village. This incorporates the buildings facing The Square 2. Church View - a narrow lane behind and including the Church of St Luke 3. Church Walk - a narrow alleyway or ginnel 4. Middlewich Road - traditional housing along Middlewich Road 5. Modern development - this includes The Mews, Parkway, and the car park behind The Square off Middlewich Road.