Stoke Bruerne project scoops heritage award

A significant research study, which records the historical importance of Stoke Bruerne with its famous Grand Union Canal, has scooped a heritage award.

 

The Stoke Bruerne Village Conservation Plan has been named joint-winner of this year's East Midlands Royal Town Planning (RTPI) Award, alongside Foxton Locks, a major restoration project in Leicestershire.

 

Stoke Bruerne, a popular tourist attraction - which attracts about 200,000 visitors every year - was competing in the Heritage category.

 

The project was nominated for the award by the Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership, which includes South Northamptonshire Council, British Waterways, The Waterways Trust, Inland Waterways Association, Stoke Bruerne Parish Council and Friends of the Canal Museum.

 

The project was commissioned earlier this year to identify the important heritage assets of the village, parish and in particular the canal. It also considers the vulnerability of the village's heritage assets and makes recommendations on how to preserve their historic significance. These areas include the National Waterways Museum, The Dry Dock and Weighing Machine, Former Mill Dock and Quarry Field.

 

It will also guide the development of future projects in Stoke Bruerne and will be a necessary tool for gaining external funding to enable these projects to go ahead.

 

Councillor John Townsend, portfolio holder for planning, said: "The Council attach a high priority to protecting and preserving the district's heritage, so we are very pleased to have won this award.

 

"Stoke Bruerne holds a lot of history and is one of the country's best canal villages, so it is important that we preserve and enhance what is so special about the village."

 

James Clifton, British Waterways' Regeneration Manager, said: "This significant piece of work has not only documented all that is important about the village's history, it has also helped unlock external funding which has helped us improve visitor facilities at this historic canalside village."

 

South Northamptonshire Council, British Waterways, The Waterways Trust and Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd provided funding for the study, which was undertaken by historic building experts 'The Conservation Studio'.

 

For further information please visit www.southnorthants.gov.uk