Matlock Bank is one of a number of 'Matlock's' identified as five separate Conservation Areas. As its name suggests, Matlock Bank lies on a steeply sloping hillside facing south-west overlooking the Derwent Valley with magnificent views across to High Tor, Masson and Riber hills.
Properties within the area were built within a relatively short period in the late nineteenth century, to house and serve the hydropathic establishments and population, which grew as a result of their development. The character of the area is predominantly formed by the steep topography and resulting dramatic views, coupled with the wealth of architectural heritage much denoting the hydropathic industry. There are numerous individual landmark buildings as well as terraced and semi-detached housing which displays linearity of form across the contours of the hillside. The majority of buildings in the conservation area are constructed from locally quarried gritstone.
The Matlock Bank Conservation Area is predominantly an urban area, the boundary of which encompasses the built form of the town beyond the extent of Matlock Bridge to the south. Land and buildings along Cavendish Road form the boundary to the north of the conservation area. Chesterfield Road, and part of Steep Turnpike form the eastern boundary. To the south Pope Carr Road, Lime Grove Walk and Edgefold Road continue the boundary to the western confines of the Conservation Area. Land and buildings around County Hall and buildings along parts of Woolley Road and Smedley Street are included and the boundary then follows Far Green and Jackson Tor in the west until joining Cavendish Road.
The original designation of Matlock Bank Conservation Area was in August 1986. The boundary was further amended and subsequently approved in December 2007 following a review in the Conservation Area Appraisal. It currently comprises 45.88 hectares.
Historic Assets
Within Matlock Bank Conservation Area there are 1014 buildings, of which 5 are listed entries. All the listed entries are Grade II. The listed buildings in Matlock Bank range from hydropathic establishments to small vernacular cottages to the Church of All Saints All are recognised for the contribution they make both individually and visually within the street-scene.
Matlock Bank Conservation Area contains no Scheduled Monuments.
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Character Appraisal
In December 2007 a comprehensive Conservation Area Character Appraisal was approved, which assessed the special qualities of the character and appearance of Matlock Bank Conservation Area, both in terms of its buildings and the relationship of its spaces alongside those buildings. It assessed the archaeology; origins and development of the area; the architectural and historic quality; the setting and landscape of the area; an analysis of the character and considered the negative and neutral factors which impact on the Conservation Area. Coupled with this, the document made reference to planning policies and strategies that work to enhance and preserve the special character and appearance of the area. As part of the Appraisal, alterations to the boundary were proposed and subsequently approved.
Buildings at Risk
None of the listed buildings within the Matlock Bank Conservation Area are recognised by the District Council as being 'at risk'.
Article 4 Directions
There are no additional planning controls, such as an Article 4 Direction, on properties in Matlock Bank Conservation Area.
Related Documents
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Map (PDF 657KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 00 Contents and Summary (PDF 512KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 01 Context (PDF 3668KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 02 Origins and Development PART 1 (PDF 1342KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 02 Origins and Development PART 2 (PDF 4484KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 03 Archaeological Significance (PDF 91KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 04 Architectural and Historic Quality part 1 (PDF 3.85MB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 04 Architectural and Historic Quality part 2 (PDF 3.85MB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 04 Architectural and Historic Quality part 3 (PDF 1.31MB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 05 Setting (PDF 291KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 06 Landscape Appraisal (PDF 3190KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 07 Analysis of Character (PDF 830KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 08 Negative Factors (PDF 261KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 09 Neutral Factors (PDF 102KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 10 Justification for Boundary (PDF 2855KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 11 Conservation Policies (PDF 205KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal 12 Appendix (PDF 9KB)
Matlock Bank Conservation Area Appraisal Committee Report and Minutes (PDF 281KB)
