Morpeth is a historic, rural market town in the mid-Northumberland landscape of rolling countryside and wooded river valleys. As a designated conservation area, national and local planning policies require the preservation and enhancement of historic features found in the town to manage its conservation and strengthen its unique character.

Morpeth Town Council, on behalf of Northumberland County Council, appointed LUC’s heritage experts to prepare a character appraisal of the conservation area.

Our study considers how both national and local events, communities and activities have shaped Morpeth, and how and where these influences are still seen in the built and natural environment today. The report also gives the Council a thorough understanding of the special interest of Morpeth as evidence for future planning and to help positively manage change to the town.

Following this work, the Town Council asked LUC to review Morpeth’s boundary as it had remained unchanged since the area’s original designation in 1970. Originally focusing on the marketplace and the principal routes that extend from it, our research identified other areas of special interest that were worthy of inclusion, as well as those areas where it had been lost.

LUC’s Historic Environment team proposed amendments to the boundary to include more historic buildings, monuments and green space to better reflect the historic interest of the area and help tell a more dynamic and comprehensive story of the town’s development. This brought the designation up to date with current thinking on what makes historic places special, helping the Council better prioritise efforts to care for Morpeth’s special, historic character.