Conservation Areas

NEWS - Grants available for historic buildings within Conservation Areas

Please visit our grants page to find out more information.

(Follow the link at the bottom of this page).

NEWS - NEW DESIGNATION: Three areas of Baschurch

At the Councils Cabinet meeting on the 26th February the proposal for three areas of Baschurch to be designated as Conservation Areas was approved.

The legal documents have now been prepared and the designation will now be published. Residents within the Conservation Areas and other interested parties will be informed and forwarded the relevant information. The map and snapshot appraisal are available to download, please see below.

Please click here to see the PLAN which was approved by Cabinet.

Conservation Areas

Conservation areas are defined by section 69 of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act 1990 as '...areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'.  This is a strictly applied definition and should not be confused with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or other designated areas.

Conservation areas are designated by Local Planning Authorities (LPA) usually after public consultation, although this is not a legal requirement of the process.  The LPA is under a duty 'from time to time' to publish and consult on proposals to preserve and enhance conservation areas.

Conservation area status

Designation as a conservation Area means:

• In dealing with planning applications in conservation areas, the LPA is required to 'pay special attention' to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area.  This means that there is a higher standard of design required in conservation areas than elsewhere.
• Planning applications in conservation areas must be advertised, as prescribed by Regulations.
• It is an offence to demolish a building/part of a building or structure in a conservation area without the consent of the LPA.  There are some exceptions - please ckeck with the conservation asection before work commences.
• The provision of grants for preservation or enhancement of buildings within a conservation area may be made available, although at present this is not the case.
• It is an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or destroy a tree in a conservation area without having given 6 week's notice to the LPA.  There are some exceptions - please contact the Tree Officer for advice before commencing work. 
• Permitted development and the right to display advertisements are more limited than elsewhere
• Telecommunications operators have more onerous obligations placed on them. 

Conservation Areas in North Shropshire

There are 16 conservation areas in North Shropshire, these are listed below with their date of designation.

The Conservation and Design Section are currently updating the appraisals for each conservation area.  Please click below to view either the Snapshot Appraisal or the map of the area.

Conservation Area Consent

There are more stringent planning controls and obligations in respect of new development, demolition, alterations, highway works and advertisements in Conservation Areas.

You may need to apply for planning permission or advertisement consent for alterations, extensions or display of advertisements which may normally not require  permission, if they were outside a conservation area.  Conservation Area Consent is required for the total or substantial demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas and it is an offence to demolish such buildings without prior consent.

Please contact the Conservation Section for further information and guidance.

Trees in Conservation Areas

Trees are a major element of the character and appearance of a conservation area and certain operations carried out to trees within a conservation area are likely to require prior consent, please click on the link below to find out more information. 

Links:

- Conservation Home - Listed Buildings - Conservation Areas - Historic Building Grants

- Redundant Building Grant Scheme - Trees in Conservation Areas - Local Plan

- English Heritage Website - Images of England Website