Do you need plans drawn for building work?
Help with getting Local Authority approvals?
...we can help!

Conservation Areas

Conservation Areas are defined in the Civic Amenities Act 1967 as : - "areas of special architectural or historic interest the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".

As the title indicates these designations cover more than just a building or property curtilage and most local authorities have designated Conservation Areas within their boundary. You can usually identify Conservation Areas from Local Plan and appendices. The Council may keep separate records or even produce leaflets for individual areas.

New double garage - Bolney, Mid-Sussex

The purpose of designating a Conservation Area is to provide a Local Authority with an additional measure of control over an area that they consider to be of special historic of architectural value. This does not mean that development proposals cannot take place, or that works to your property will be automatically refused. It means however that the Council will have regard to the effect of your proposals on the designation in addition to their normal assessment.

The Council may also apply this additional tier of assessment to proposals which are outside the designated Conservation Area boundary, but which may potentially affect the character and appearance of the area. As a result, local planning authorities may ask for more information to accompany your normal planning application concerning proposals within or adjoining a Conservation Area.