Conservation Area (United Kingdom)

In the United Kingdom, the term Conservation Area nearly always applies to an area (usually urban or the core of a village) considered worthy of preservation or enhancement because of its special architectural or historic interest, "the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance," as required by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (Section 69 and 70). More than 8000 have been designated.

The Civic Amenities Act 1967 first introduced the concept of conservation areas^[1] before being superseded by the 1990 Act.

In Conservation Areas, it is the protection of the quality and special interest of the neighbourhood or area as a whole that is intended, rather than specific buildings. For example, the layout of boundaries, roads, vistas and viewpoints, trees and green features, street furniture and surfaces, the characteristic building materials of the area, the mix of different uses, and the design of shop fronts may all be taken into account when deciding whether an area has a particular special architectural or historic interest. It is the role of the listed building process to protect individual buildings, although it is common for many listed buildings to also be located within designated Conservation Areas where those individual buildings make a contribution to the special architectural or historic character of the area.

Current Government planning policy on Conservation Areas is laid down (for England) in Planning Policy Statement No. 5: Planning and the Historic Environment (PPS5) and (for Wales) in Welsh Office Circular 61/96 - Planning and the Historic Environment: Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas.

There are additional planning controls over certain works carried out within the Conservation Area. For example, demolition within Conservation Areas requires consent. The designation does not preclude development from taking place, but does require that developments preserve or enhance the historic character of the area, for example by ensuring that newly constructed buildings are of a high quality design. Conservation Area status also removes some permitted development rights that apply in undesignated areas.

In practice, enforcement of Conservation Areas varies, dependent on the resources and priorities of the local authority, and many fail to meet expectations.^[2] A Conservation Area may have a Conservation Area Advisory Committee, a non-elected body of people, some of whom may be expert, who are concerned about the conservation in the particular area.

Trees

The law requires that anyone proposing to cut down or carry out any work on ANY tree in a conservation area must give the Council six weeks notice of their intentions. Work may only be undertaken either when permission has been given or the six weeks has expired. Penalties: For cutting down or destroying a tree, a fine of up to £20,000 can be imposed – and the landowner is also required to replace the tree that was removed. For less serious offences, the penalty is a fine of up to £2,500.

See also

• Article Four Direction
• List of conservation areas in the United Kingdom
• Conservation designation
• Conservation area

References

1. ^ "Northampton Borough Council: Planning Policy Context of Collingtree Conservation area appraisal - May 2008". http://www.northampton.gov.uk/downloads/CollingtreeAppraisal-Final.pdf. Retrieved 7 March 2010. 
2. ^ Jack, Ian (2009-06-27). "Beware the double-glazing salesman". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/27/ian-jack-conservation-environment-comment. Retrieved 2009-06-28. 

External links

• Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment,