Conservation Areas

If you live or work in a Conservation Area it is important to understand that it is not just another example of town planning “jargon” that need not concern you. In fact the opposite is true; conservation areas are of vital importance to the value of your home or business, and your enjoyment of its surroundings.

What would you like more information on? (click on a link below)

Latest Updates

Please click on the titles below to download our latest Character Appraisal and Management Plans;

Please submit your feedback online to our appraisals. Alternatively feedback can be submitted by telephoning 01992 564582/4068 or by emailing contactLB@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Introduction

What is a Conservation Area?

A conservation area is an ‘area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ (Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990). A conservation area may be the historic centre of a town or village, an older unspoilt residential area, or an important country house in large landscaped grounds.

The designation of a conservation area introduces special controls, including the requirement of consent from the Council to demolish any building or part of a building or to carry out works on unprotected trees. These restrictions aim to ensure that the special architectural and historic interest of an area is retained for the benefit of local residents, businesses, visitors and future generations.

Why are Conservation Areas Required?

The Civic Amenities Act which first allowed conservation areas to be designated was passed in 1967. There are now more than 8,000 Conservation Areas in England alone.

In the decade before this Act there had been numerous examples of the historic parts of our cities, towns and villages being ruined in the enthusiasm for new development. Little recognition was given to the importance of the older, historic areas. Such areas are part our cultural heritage and national identity.

They are irreplaceable records that contribute, through formal education and in many other ways, to our understanding of both the present and the past.

Character Appraisal and Management Plans

For our latest Character Appraisals please click on a link below.

Following conservation area designation, local authorities also have a statutory duty to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of their conservation areas, and to consult the local community about these proposals. A conservation area character appraisal is intended to fulfil this obligation. Its main aims are to;

  • define the special architectural and historic interest of the conservation area;
  • review the current conservation area boundaries, so that they reflect what is considered to be of special interest;
  • increase public awareness of the aims of conservation area designation and encourage community involvement in the protection of the character of the area;
  • identify measures that need to be taken to preserve the character of the conservation area and put forward proposals for its enhancement.

It is hoped that these documents will provide a management framework to control and guide change in the district’s conservation areas and that it will form a basis for other planning decisions that affect the area.

Before publishing a character appraisal, we always put a draft version of the appraisal out to public consultation for several months so that the views of local residents and businesses can be incorporated into the final version.

For other specific area Character Appraisal and Management Plans please visit the Conservation Areas in Epping Forest District Page.

Local Development Framework / Local Plan

The Epping Forest District Local Plan, and emerging Local Development Framework, includes policies that deal specifically with development in a conservation area. In implementing these policies, the Council will try to ensure that any new development does not harm the character of the area, and that it should make a positive contribution to the area. The objective of conservation area planning policies is to guide, rather than prevent change.

Further Information

For further information on all conservation areas in the district, please download our leaflet by clicking on the link below.

Conservation Areas in the Epping Forest District (pdf 841KB)

Contact Us 

Alternatively you may wish to contact us at contactLB@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or by telephoning 01992 564068/4582.

 

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Contacting Us

Epping Forest District Council
Civic Offices
High Street
Epping
Essex CM16 4BZ
Main switchboard
(01992) 564000

Main email address
ContactUs@eppingforestdc.gov.uk