Village to keep its character

Villagers voiced their support for new conservation area boundaries at a public viewing on Saturday.

The boundaries, planned by Rushcliffe Borough Council for Flintham, were on show in the village hall.

Flintham was the first village in the borough to have a conservation area and it now has the largest — protecting 38 buildings that are listed for protection, and several fields.

The chairman of Flintham Parish Council, Mr David Cartledge, of Town End Lane, has lived in the village for 64 years and said he was in support of the new boundaries.

He said: “But I hope they will not constrict development, particularly for those who are lucky enough to live in a listed building.

“Flintham has a lot of history and character and while I want to see that protected I hope the conservation areas are not too imposing for those wanting to develop.”

Mr and Mrs Martin Suthers, of Main Street, have lived in the village for 15 years.

Mrs Pippa Suthers said: “So many villages lose their charm because of expansion and new development and I am pleased Flintham has such a large conservation area because it means we can retain the history and fabric of the village.”

Mr and Mrs Suthers live in Manor House, which is listed for protection and dates from the 16th Century.

Mrs Suthers said: “Flintham is a unique place that deserves to be under conservation.

“For example, our house is the only one in the village to have Tudor beams, and every house in the village has a red roof.”

Mr Suthers, the county councillor for Bingham, said: “The new conservation boundaries have hardly changed from the previous ones.

“Bits of land have been added and lost here and there, but overall there is not much change.

“The size of Flintham’s conservation area is still substantial.”

Mrs Deirdre Granger, of Inholms Road, said: “There are many interesting buildings in this village that should be protected, but perhaps the most significant is the Flintham Hall.”

Flintham Hall was built over 400 years ago and is just off the Fosse Way. It is owned by the Hildyard family.

The new area boundaries are due to come into force next month.