The Council, through by the local planning authority, designate such areas which then means additional planning controls and restrictions to protect the features which make the areas unique and special. Such areas include historic town centres, entire villages, individual streets or individual features such as canals.
Historic England provides a wide range of information on such areas and states that 2.2% of England is a Conservation Area, with over 10,000 areas in total, with the majority being in rural areas (c. 59%). Every local planning authority has at least 1 formal area however many Councils have numerous such areas.
Unlike listed buildings Conservation Areas extend further than individual buildings to include the wider built and natural environment including streets, trees, hard and soft landscaping as well as views and settings. While individual buildings may warrant protection, via the listing process when combined with others and the area generally play an important role in the historic character of the area and heritage generally.
At plande, we have a wide range of experience of working in such areas and obtaining Conservation Area Consent in urban and rural areas. Contact us to discuss your requirements.