Conservation Areas

These are defined as areas of 'special architectural or historical interest' in Article 53 of the Planning Order (1991). Consent in addition to planning permission is required for demolition. Planning Service is fully responsible for the designation and management of Conservation Areas. This role is due to devolve to local district councils after 2012.

Article 50(5)of the Planning Order requires that 'where any area is for the time being designated as a conservation area special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing its character or appearance'. Planning Policy Statement 6 makes clear that 'this will be the prime consideration for the Department in the exercise of its planning functions within conservation areas. There will be a presumption against the grant of planning permission or conservation area consent where development proposals could conflict with this requirement, although in exceptional cases this assumption may be overridden in favour of development which is desirable on the ground of some other public interest. The desirability of preserving or enhancing a conservation area is also considered to be a material consideration in assessing proposals for assessment beyond its boundaries which would however affect its setting or views into the area. Planning Policy Staement 6: Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage Para7.3, page 31.

See Planning Service for more information.