Conservation areas

Research

Stages

Go back to Conservation areas summary

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

      • Item 1

        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 

      • Item 2

        name
        Surveys, research, consultation, presentation and assessment
        actors
        Assessor, LPAs, local communities, neighbourhood forums and town/parish councils
        impact
        output
        description

      • Item 3

        name
        Designation
        actors
        LPAs / SoS DCMS
        impact
        output
        description

      • Item 4

        name
        Notice of designation
        actors
        LPAs / Public
        impact
        output
        description

      • Item 5

        name
        Management plan drafted
        actors
        LPAs
        impact
        output
        Conservation Area management plan
        description

      • Item 6

        name
        Variation
        actors
        LPAs / DCMS
        impact
        Conservation Area is modified
        output
        Variation notice
        description

      • Item 7

        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?

    Historic England

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

    Local planning authorities, developers, planning consultants

  • What are the planning needs for this data?

    A conservation area is an area with special architectural or historic interest where the character or appearance is deemed worthy of preservation or enhancement.

    These areas are typically designated by local planning authorities and have extra planning controls in place to protect their unique qualities. Having conservation area data on the platform will be useful in demonstrating where particular development restrictions might be in place: - e.g. certain alterations, extensions or demolitions might require planning permission where they fall within or adjacent to a conservation area, where they would not normally. - e.g. there might also be restrictions on materials for renovations or new buildings - e.g. trees within a conservation area are often protected, with work on them may require permission

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

    local planning authorities, developers, landowners, home owners and planning consultants

  • What are some potential uses of Conservation areas data?

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

    A conservation area is an area with special architectural or historic interest where the character or appearance is deemed worthy of preservation or enhancement.

    These areas are typically designated by local planning authorities and have extra planning controls in place to protect their unique qualities. Having conservation area data on the platform will be useful in demonstrating where particular development restrictions might be in place:

    • e.g. certain alterations, extensions or demolitions might require planning permission where they fall within or adjacent to a conservation area, where they would not normally.
    • e.g. there might also be restrictions on materials for renovations or new buildings
    • e.g. trees within a conservation area are often protected, with work on them may require permission

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

    The currently available data from Historic England is incomplete. This dataset will require individual collection from LPAs.