1. What are conservation areas?
2. Where are the conservation areas?
3. Why are conservation areas designated?
4. How are conservation areas designated?
5. Is change allowed in conservation areas?
6. What difference does designation make?
More detailed information can be found in the leaflets about listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 Directions available on this website. You can also contact the borough council’s conservation officers on 01284 757356 or 757339 or you can email conservation@stedsbc.gov.uk.
Conservation areas are very special places. Each one is of architectural or historic importance, with a character or appearance to be preserved or enhanced. The buildings in a conservation area and the spaces between them form distinct areas of quality and interest.
There are almost 9,000 conservation areas in England. They sit at the heart of all major urban areas and historic towns and also cover entire villages.
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2. Where are the conservation areas?
There are over 30 conservation areas in St Edmundsbury. They range from small villages like Hawkedon and Denston, which are focused around their medieval churches, to the larger villages such as Ixworth, Cavendish and Clare. Is my property in a conservation area?
The historic parks of Hengrave and Culford are part of two of the largest conservation areas. Estate villages, such as Euston and Ampton, are also designated. There are two conservation areas in Bury St. Edmunds, one covering the historic core and the other a Victorian suburb, and two in Haverhill.
3. Why are conservation areas designated?
The borough’s conservation areas are an essential part of local heritage. Each one is unique and irreplaceable. It is the borough council’s duty to protect them all.
Many buildings which add to the special character and local distinctiveness of conservation areas do not have the added protection of being listed by the Secretary of State. A conservation area provides protection against demolition, while Article 4 Directions can be used to restrict certain alterations. Conservation areas are not just about individual historic buildings but about the way those buildings are grouped together. The spaces between them, the streets, open areas, landscaping and trees are extremely important.
Conservation areas recognise local distinctiveness and a strong sense of place to which people can relate. They are part of the familiar and cherished local scene, enriching the quality of life and the daily experience of all those who live and work in them. They are popular places with visitors, both from home and abroad. They also attract inward investment, giving prestige to new development.
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4. How are conservation areas designated?
The council is required by law to identify parts of the borough as conservation areas. The legal designation process is simple – the area is identified before a boundary is drawn and then taken to the Sustainable Development Panel for approval. Following designation, the Secretary of State and English Heritage must be notified and details of the conservation area must be published in the local press and the London Gazette. There is no statutory requirement to consult anyone affected by the designation.
In practice, however, the borough council encourages input from people who will be affected by the designation of a conservation area. Information about what the designation means and a map showing the draft boundary is sent to every property which lies within the boundary or next to it, inviting comments about the proposal. A drop-in session is also held locally to give people the chance to speak to the council’s conservation officers face-to-face and discuss any queries or concerns they may have. The results of the consultations are taken into account when the boundary of the conservation area is finalised.
5. Is change allowed in conservation areas?
Conservation areas are not museum exhibits - they are places which must meet the every-day needs of the modern communities that live and work there. Historic settlements evolve over centuries and have seen a great deal of change in that time and will see even more in the future. Looking after conservation areas for future generations is about managing that change, not preventing it.
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6. What difference does designation make?
Demolition – You will need conservation areaconsent to demolish any unlisted building in a conservation area which has a volume of more than 115 cubic metres. You will also need consent to demolish unlisted walls which are more than two metres high. If the wall is next to a highway, you will need consent if it is more than one metre. Generally, applications for the demolition of structures which make a positive contribution to the area are unlikely to be given consent.
New development - New buildings must respect the scale and character of their surroundings. High quality details, design and materials are needed, and proposals which enhance conservation areas are encouraged.
Enhancement - Small-scale street works and landscaping in a public area can considerably enhance a conservation area. The highway authority and its agents have specific policies for works in conservation areas, as do the public utility agencies. Any proposed improvement schemes must be considered at a public meeting before they take place, and any comments which are made at the meeting must be taken into account when the enhancement scheme is finalised.
Grants - Occasionally grant schemes operate in conservation areas, with financial assistance available for repairs to buildings and works in public places.
Alterations to Houses - Some types of works (such as replacing roof coverings and traditional timber windows and doors) can have a severe impact on the character and appearance of a conservation area. The council can introduce specific controls to stop this from happening. In a conservation area, Article 4(2) Directions might be served by the borough.
Trees - Open spaces, landscaping and trees play an important part in the character of any conservation area. You must give at least six weeks notice to the borough council before doing work to certain trees in a conservation area. This gives the council time to consider whether the trees should be protected by tree preservation orders. It also gives the opportunity for the council to give advice on the management and care of trees.
Advertisements - The character of a conservation area can be damaged by advertisements which are too brash or not in context. For this reason the regulations which control advertisements are stricter in conservation areas. Local policies have been introduced to prevent internally illuminated signs and to control projecting signs.
Local Plan - The borough council’s policies for conservation areas are set out in the current local plan. These commit the council to preserve and enhance conservation areas and protect the buildings, structures and features on which their character depends.
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