Conservation areas

What is a conservation area?

A conservation area is an area declared by the local authority as one that warrants special attention to preserve its social, historic or architectural character.

Not all buildings within the area are necessarily listed, but consent to carry out works to them which may affect the character of the area may be necessary.

Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 gives local planning authorities the power to designate Conservation Areas, which are defined as ‘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.

What does designation mean?

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

• Demolition
  Conservation Area Consent is required to fully demolish a building. It is also likely that partial demolition, demolition of walls and fences and other similar features may also require Conservation Area Consent. Please check with the Council prior to doing any works. Conservation Area consent and the application forms are available here.
• Minor Developments
  In a conservation area, you need planning permission for changes to buildings that 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.

Find further information with regards to conservation area consent for demolition.

How are Conservation Areas chosen for designation?

Conservation Areas 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 they are recognised as part of its character.

Where are the conservation areas?

View all Conservation Areas in RCT on a map

Further information

The following pages provide more information on conservation areas'

• Historic Environment - Supplementary Planning Guidance
• Cadw

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