Plans to install blue plaque on Bewdley's 'oldest building'

The application, which was submitted to Wyre Forest District Council by the Bewdley Civic Society on behalf of residents of 5-9 Stourport Road, seeks Listed Building Consent for the installation of a blue plaque to commemorate the historical importance of the Grade II* building that is believed to have been built in the fourteenth century.

According to the application, the proposed blue plaque would highlight 5-9 Stourport Road's status as the oldest known building in Bewdley.

A Design Access & Heritage Statement has been submitted by the Bewdley Civic Society as part of the application, with this detailing that the proposed blue plaque will be fixed to the brickwork on the first-floor level at 7 Stourport Road.

To avoid damage to the brickwork, it is advised that the fixings will be made into the brick joint.

The Design Access & Heritage Statement also includes the results of tree-ring analysis of timbers from 7-9 Stourport Road conducted by the Centre for Archaeology in 2005.

According to the analysis of samples from 21 different oak timbers from within 7 and 9 Stourport Road, it is estimated that the timbers used within the building were felled between 1302 and 1324.

The statement reads: "The importance of this building is recognised in its II* Listed Building rating and the extensive research and investigations that have taken place into its timber framing and internal features to determine the nature of its construction and the date it was built and show that it is the oldest known building in Bewdley.

"The addition of a traditionally made blue plaque to mark this importance is a very appropriate proposal fully supported by Bewdley Civic Society."

The application was received and validated by Wyre Forest District Council on Thursday, August 27.

To view the full application and its supporting documents, search 26/0669/LBC in the Wyre Forest District