APPLEBY'S conservation area, including its castle and medieval St Lawrence's Parish Church, is to have its five-yearly appraisal.

The survey of the town's heritage and its setting beside the River Eden is to be carried out by Eden District Council.

Conservation officer Paula Smith was due to give a presentation to Appleby Town Council last night (Wednesday, January 17) about the reasons for the appraisal.

It is designed to help preserve the town's special qualities, including its 17th century architecture linked to Lady Anne Clifford, its two historic market crosses and its Norman defences.

Town councillors were due to hear that potential threats include:

- the replacement of traditional sash windows with modern plastic or timber casements

- buildings sitting empty due to flood damage

- deteriorating buildings and shopfronts

- tarmac on roads, road markings, signs, parked cars and traffic congestion

- and a fall in visitor numbers affecting the tourism economy.

Central Appleby became a conservation area in November 1969. A number of buildings were placed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register in 2016, including the castle keep and the former coach houses and stables at Castle Park.

Members of the public will be given their say once the appraisal report has been drafted.