Conservation Areas

Could creating a conservation area be an alternative to (or a step towards) making a neighbourhood plan…

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Could creating a conservation area be an alternative to (or a step towards) making a neighbourhood plan...

In more detail

Conservation areas are designated by the council to cover neighbourhoods and places with a character or an appearance which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.    There are about 10,000 conservation areas in England.  They are not necessarily the well-off parts of town or the oldest areas, but they do need to be both preservable and worth preserving.   Councils can designate a conservation area.  In London, Historic England can designate them.

Within conservation areas, there are special rules apply governing development.  Landowners need permission for developments and alterations to properties that would normally not need planning permission.  This includes for things like adding satellite dishes or solar panels; building single storey extensions and conservatories; cladding, laying paving or building walls.  Owners also need permission to do work on trees or for demolition work in conservation areas.

Only some neighbourhoods have the potential to be designated as conservation areas and it may not be that designating one will be popular with all residents.  It remains, however, an alternative worth considering in some places

Key Facts:

Conservation areas are designated areas with special character or appearance and within which there is a more extensive approach to planning permission.

Page Links from here

Historic England's Guide to Conservation Areas

In the toolkit, see:

Neighbourhood Design Statements

Tree Preservation Orders

Planning Permission 

Neighbourhood Planning 


OR you can use the navigation menu above right to look at other parts of the toolkit.

BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY PLANNING TOOLKIT DEFINITION SHEET This sheet may be reproduced in paper or electromic or any other form but please mention it was made by Chamberlain Forum Limited for Birmingham City Council supported by Department for Communities and Local Government.

created: 2016-06-15 10:34:41 by: admin status: f published