Conservation areas

Research

These are the questions we answer during the Research stage.

Answering them wil help us learn more about the Conservation areas consideration, determine if a data standard is required and whether we know enough to move on to the next stage.

  • Do we understand the lifecycle of a Conservation areas?

    Yes

    • Document a stage of the high-level lifecycle of a Conservation areas

      • name
        Appraisal
        actors
        LPAs / Local Communities
        impact
        output
        Conservation Area Appraisal
        description
        - The statement (or summary) of special interest - Introduction - Planning policy context - General character, location and uses - Historic interest  - Architectural interest and built form - Locally important buildings  - Spatial analysis - Streets and open space, parks and gardens, and trees  - Setting and views  - Character areas and zones  - An audit of heritage assets  - Assessment of condition  - Identifying the boundary - A plan for further action and generic guidance - References, appendices and contact details 
      • name
        Surveys, research, consultation, presentation and assessment
        actors
        Assessor, LPAs, local communities, neighbourhood forums and town/parish councils
        impact
        output
        description
      • name
        Designation
        actors
        LPAs / SoS DCMS
        impact
        output
        description
      • name
        Notice of designation
        actors
        LPAs / Public
        impact
        output
        description
      • name
        Management plan drafted
        actors
        LPAs
        impact
        output
        Conservation Area management plan
        description
      • name
        Variation
        actors
        LPAs / DCMS
        impact
        Conservation Area is modified
        output
        Variation notice
        description
      • name
        Cancellation
        actors
        LPAs / SoS DCMS
        impact
        Conservation Area is removed
        output
        description
  • Do we understand how the data is created/produced?

    We expect that LPAs will use the above process to designate a conservation area, and will be using base mapping (any) to define the boundary of a conservation area and produce the data. It is likely to copy small elements of road, field, hedge, river features and property boundaries to create a contiguous polygon defining the conservation area.

  • Where will or should the data be used?

    Knowing about the presence of a conservation area is required for any type of planning application and will impact the information an applicant will need to provide.

    • Permitted development rights - Some PDRs will typically be removed in a conservation area.
    • Trees – trees within a conservation area are protected regardless of whether there is a tree protection order or not.
    • Local plans - Conservation areas are referenced regularly in local plans (also under the guise of 'heritage assets'), so we are confident that they act as input to the creation of a local plan.

  • Who are the statutory consultees for Conservation areas?

  • Other than the statutory consultees who are the primary users of Conservation areas? How do we expect them to use Conservation areas?

  • What are the planning needs for this data?

  • Who are the types of users who might benefit from having access to Conservation areas data?

  • What are some potential uses of Conservation areas data?

  • What's the value of adding Conservation areas data to the platform?

  • From what we have learnt so far are there any risks to making Conservation areas data available?

    The currently available data is not always clearly published under an open licence.