A PLAN to help restore a number of Blaenavon’s historic buildings could be set to receive a £2million funding aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Torfaen councillors approved a proposal to increase the size of the conservation area, which ensures the preservation and enhancement of the town centre’s character.

The plan forms part of the funding application to the HLF, which will aim to extend the existing boundary to the south eastern and south western areas of the town centre.

The main difference to the extended boundaries will see the inclusion in the conservation area of St Peter’s churchyard, Duke Street, Rhydyndos Street, Hill Street and King Street.

The current conservation area covers an area of 19 hectares in the Torfaen town, and the new plans aims to aid areas of a similar time period to those currently covered.

The conservation area was designated in 1984, covering the historic core of the town and was last extended in 2011.

That amendment included parts of Old Queen Street, Phillips Street and parts of Alma Street and Ellick Street.

The Blaenavon Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan (BTCCAAMP) is reviewed every five years and at present includes 26 listed buildings and one Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The updated plan will run between 2017 and 2022 and will allow the council to apply for stage two funding from the HLF, which is an estimated £2million.

Prior to approval at the council meeting, a consultation into the proposals was held between July and September.

During that period, three key concerns were raised, one of which related to the state of Blaenavon’s economic stability and that any work must be balanced with regard to the need of the town.

This point was picked up by Cllr Stuart Evans, the deputy mayor of Torfaen and Blaenavon ward member.

“Obviously I will support the recommendation because I think it must be done to get the funding referred to,” he said.

“I take the point as made by a consultation.

“I agree with the sentiment that the town is struggling economically and conservation aspirations need balance against practical considerations. I think that is very important.”

Two other key concerns were raised during the consultation period.

The first was the “proposed area of extension was not large enough and should be extended to cover the majority of the historic town”.

The second is “the council should use the powers that it has to manage general dilapidation of both the built and natural environment within the conservation area”.

One of the key areas in the proposal is to protect and improve areas of key heritage importance, as well as developing Broad Street – Blaenavon’s main shopping road.

“Key assets identified as being of key importance include the historic buildings and townscapes, the high quality regeneration of Broad Street and the repair and reuse of key heritage buildings including St Peters School as the World Heritage Centre,” said Rebecca Hartley, the team leader for economy, renewal and culture in the report.

“The plan also identifies negative factors which predominantly relate to the impacts of economic decline which has resulted in unused buildings and a general sense of neglect.

“The extension to the Conservation Area is effectively a change in planning policy to those areas affected as it will extend the area in which the local planning authority have a statutory duty to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving and enhancing the character and appearance of the area.

“Poor maintenance and inappropriate repairs have also led to the deterioration and loss of some architectural and heritage details which has adversely impacted upon the wider streetscape centred on the core area of Broad Street.”

Following the approval of the plan at the meeting yesterday on Tuesday, Cllr Alan Jones and Cllr Fiona Cross, the executive members for business, tourism, leisure, culture and the environment respectively, will have delegated authority for the resulting management and maintenance action plan.

Cllr Jones thanked the team behind the report for the “tremendous amount of work” and he also paid tribute to Blaenavon Town Council for their involvement and financial support.

Following the approval from the local authority, the Welsh Government will be informed of the boundary change.