Heritage Conservation

Epping Forest District has a rich built environment, and we have a statutory responsibility to protect these features. The conservation and environment team deals with the protection and enhancement of Conservation areas, Listed Buildings, trees and the historic landscape through the Town and Country planning process. Also it contributes significantly to the production of the district wide Local Plan in relation to policy governing heritage conservation, design and the built environment; and landscape and landscaping.

Conservation Areas

Are those parts of towns, villages or parishes, which have special architectural or historic interest. They are often centred on listed buildings, but not always. Groups of attractive buildings, a historic street pattern, attractive commons, greens or other open spaces, registered historic parks and gardens, ancient landscape or monuments may also be suitable for designation as Conservation Areas.

Listed Buildings

Listed Buildings are buildings, or other structures, of special architectural or historic interest. The List is in fact a register compiled by the Department of Culture Media and Sport (it was formerly compiled by the Department of the Environment). Listed Buildings enjoy special protected status under planning law.

The purpose of the listing is to ensure that the character and special interest of the building is preserved. To protect this country's heritage of buildings, demolition is rarely allowed and only then after the most careful and detailed consideration.

The Local List

Epping Forest District Council has produced a list of buildings and other structures that are of local architectural or historic interest, which is known as the Local List. It includes a wide variety of buildings and structures that are of local interest, but do not quite meet the national criteria for inclusion on the statutory list. Locally listed buildings often make an important contribution to the character and appearance of the local scene and many are important local landmarks. Others have important historical links, with famous local individuals and organisations, or they represent significant aspects of the development of a particular area.

Scheduled Ancient Monuments

A Scheduled Ancient Monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, which has protection against unauthorised change. A list of all the Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Epping Forest District is available here.

More information on Scheduled Ancient Monuments is available on the National Heritage list for England website.

Design and Built Environment

The Conservation team also provide guidelines about modifications to Shop fronts, and the positioning of advertisements in the Town Centres of the District.

Contact

For more information please e-mail contactLB@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or telephone (01992) 564068