Wick Pulteneytown Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

The public are being invited to come along to find out more about the Wick Pulteneytown Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAMP). 

A special drop-in event will take place on Tuesday 23 July in Mackay’s Hotel from 2pm to 6pm to give people the opportunity to see maps of the current conservation area and put forward their comments.

Wick Pulteneytown conservation area incorporates a diverse built heritage, offering many unique and attractive opportunities.  It incorporates both domestic housing centred on Argyle Square, and an extensive area of warehousing between the harbour and Wick River. The conservation area includes approximately 129 listed buildings.

The Highland Council is undertaking the CAMP to protect the significant investment made within the area via the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme).  Conservation accredited architect, Sonya Linskaill RIAS RIBA, has been appointed to undertake the work on behalf of the Council.  Sonya has extensive experience of working with conservation areas, having carried out similar appraisals across Scotland.

A Conservation Area Appraisal is a management tool which helps to identify the special interest and changing needs of an area. An Appraisal provides the basis for the development of a programme of action that is compatible with the sensitivities of the historic area and enables a planning authority to fulfil its statutory duty to preserve and enhance conservation areas. Appraisals also inform policy and assist development control. They provide an opportunity to involve communities in identifying the character of the area and help developers formulate development proposals. Planning authorities are encouraged to prepare Appraisals for all their conservation areas in consultation with the local community.

During the event, which takes place in the Stevenson Suite of Mackay’s Hotel, maps of the area will be on display and representatives from The Highland Council’s Planning and Historic Environment Teams will be joined by Sonya Linskaill, who will be available to take on board feedback and comments.

Councillor Reiss, Chair of the Caithness Committee said: “I would encourage all interested parties to come along to this event.  Feedback received on the day will help to shape the final CAMP, which in turn will help us, as custodians of our unique heritage and history, to better protect and preserve our buildings for future generations of residents and visitors.”