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A 6-week public consultation opened today on the draft St John’s conservation area character appraisal.
We encourage residents, local businesses, and visitors to provide comments on these documents for consideration before the final version is published. The consultation includes the draft notice for the introduction of an Article 4 Direction for the associated area.
What is a conservation area?
National legislation defines a conservation area as 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).
The St John’s conservation area will capture the best of the special interest and history of Buckhurst Hill including an impressive Victorian church and school, surviving pockets of Epping Forest, Victorian terraces, Victorian villas, a historic public house, and countless veteran trees.
What is a character appraisal?
Local authorities have a statutory duty to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas, and to consult the local community about these proposals. This conservation area character appraisal is intended to fulfil this obligation, as well as provide a framework to both manage and guide change in St John’s conservation area.
Have your say
We are interested in receiving your views on the draft St John’s conservation area character appraisal and its recommendations for what should be preserved and enhanced as well as proposals for its future management.
View the draft documents here:
- St John’s conservation area character appraisal and management plan consultation (pdf 10MB)
- Article 4 direction notice (pdf 128KB)
Send your comments by 11 October to:
A public exhibition will be held for you to drop in and discuss the appraisal with our conservation team. This will take place on Thursday 3 October 2024, between 5pm and 7pm at St John the Baptist Church, where we hope to see many of you in attendance.
Ensuring the unique character continues to be protected
Councillor Ken Williamson, Shaping our district portfolio holder said:
Speaking as both a resident and councillor representing the Buckhurst Hill West ward, I am very happy to be consulting on the proposal for a new conservation area and keen to hear the public’s views.
Please read the documents and send us your comments by 11 October.
I believe the creation of the St John’s conservation area will help ensure the unique character of this part of Buckhurst Hill continues to be protected for future generations.
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