Environment

Section 69 of the Civic Amenities Act 1969 gives local councils the power to designate as Conservation Areas, "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".

Designation gives control over the demolition of buildings and provides the basis for policies designed to preserve or enhance all the aspects of character or appearance that define an area's special interest.

How are conservation areas chosen for designation?

Conservation Areas vary, ranging from historic town centres to industrial and rural villages.

They are designated usually because of their buildings but they can also be designated because of their history, architecture, layout or private spaces, such as gardens, parks and greens, trees or street furniture.  Conservation areas give broader protection than listing individual buildings and all features within the area, listed or otherwise, are recognised as part of its character.

Who designates conservation areas?

We have the authority to designate areas believed to have a special character worth protecting or enhancing.

What does designation mean?

Within a Conservation Area the council has extra controls over the following:

Demolition

To demolish a building fully, or even parts of it, Conservation Area consent is needed. Generally we view an application from the standpoint of trying to retain the building so a case needs to be made for its demolition. There are no fees for this application and there is a right of appeal against refusal.

Minor developments

In a conservation area, you need planning permission for changes to buildings which would normally be permitted.  Changes requiring consent include cladding a building, inserting dormer windows, or putting up a satellite dish visible from the street.

Trees

Anyone proposing to cut down, top or lop a tree in a conservation area, whether or not it is covered by a tree preservation order, has to give notice to the council. The council considers the contribution the tree makes to the character of the conservation area and, if necessary, it will make a tree preservation order to protect it.

What does the council normally do in conservation areas?

The council consults widely on proposals affecting a conservation area.  This might include periodic enhancement schemes including proposals to:

• prepare development briefs for sites in conservation areas
• ensure that new buildings harmonise with their neighbours
• make environmental improvements
• control advertisements and shop signs
• ensure that traffic control measures harmonise with the character of the area
• make grants available for the repair of buildings.

What policies are used to control development?

Our main body of conservation policy is in the Unitary Development Plan which includes conservation policy with wider planning policies for the area.  Policies in the Conservation section are generally not in favour of the loss of features which add to the special interest of the areas.  These policies are used in the determination of planning applications in conservation areas.