Conservation Area (United Kingdom)
Encyclopedia
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The Civic Amenities Act 1967 first introduced the concept of conservation areas before being superseded by the 1990 Act.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. 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.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the term Conservation Area nearly always applies to an area (usually urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
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
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
The Planning Act 1990 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom that altered the laws on granting of planning permission for building works, notably including those of the listed building system in England and Wales....
(Section 69 and 70). More than 8000 have been designated.
The Civic Amenities Act 1967 first introduced the concept of conservation areas 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
Demolition
Demolition is the tearing-down of buildings and other structures, the opposite of construction. Demolition contrasts with deconstruction, which involves taking a building apart while carefully preserving valuable elements for re-use....
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
Permitted development
Permitted development is an aspect of town and country planning in the United Kingdom which allows people to undertake minor development under a deemed grant of planning permission, therefore removing the need to submit a planning application...
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. 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 DirectionArticle Four DirectionAn Article Four Direction is made by a Local Planning Authority in the United Kingdom and confirmed by the Government. It serves to restrict Permitted Development rights, which means that a lot of the things people do to their land or houses without planning permission and often take for granted,...
- List of conservation areas in the United Kingdom
- Conservation designationConservation designationA conservation designation is a name and/or acronym which explains the status of an area of land in terms of conservation or protection.-United Kingdom:*Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty *Environmentally Sensitive Area*Local Nature Reserve...
- Conservation areaConservation areaA conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...