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 Trying
to get an idea of what conservation means isn't easy as if covers
so many aspects of the environment around us. Here we try to
answer some of the basic questions that we think will help you
understand and appreciate this diverse subject. The best thing to
remember is that conservation basically comes in four basic forms:
-
the historic built
environment - conservation of our physical
surroundings, buildings, landscapes, parks, streets, towns,
villages, waterways, lifestyles (farming, arts & crafts etc)
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the archaeological
environment - ancient discoveries, treasures, artefacts,
relics, art, remains etc
- the natural
environment - natural landscapes and coasts, wildlife,
plants, trees, habitats, countryside etc
- the global
environment - rain forests, endangered species, world
heritage sites etc
With the above in
mind, browse through the following questions to delve further |
What is a
Conservation Area?
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 Conservation
areas vary greatly... in their nature and character. They
range from the centres of our historic towns and cities,
through fishing and mining villages, 18th- and 19th-century
suburbs, model housing estates, and country houses set in
their historic parks, to historic transport links and their
environments, such as stretches of canal.
The special character of these areas does not come from the
quality of their buildings alone. The historic layout of
roads, paths and boundaries; characteristic building and
paving materials; a particular 'mix' of building uses; public
and private spaces, such as gardens, parks and greens; and
trees and street furniture, which contribute to particular
views - all these and more make up the familiar local scene.
Conservation areas give broader protection than listing
individual buildings: all the features, listed or otherwise,
within the area, are recognised as part of its character.
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Who designates
conservation areas?
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Local authorities
have the power... to designate as conservation areas in
any area of 'special architectural or historic interest' whose
character or appearance is worth protecting or enhancing. This
'specialness' is judged against local and regional criteria,
rather than national importance as is the case with listing.
The Secretary of State can also designate in exceptional
circumstances - usually where the area is of more than local
interest.
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What is
'designation'?
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Within a
conservation area the local authority has extra controls
over:
-
demolition
-
minor developments
-
the protection of trees
Demolition
- Applications for consent to totally or
substantially demolish any building within a conservation area
must be made to the local planning authority, or, on appeal or
call-in, to the Secretary of State for the Environment.
Procedures are basically the same as for listed building
consent applications. Generally there is a presumption in
favour of retaining buildings which make a positive
contribution to the character or appearance of the
conservation area.
Minor
developments - If you live in a
conservation area, you have to obtain permission before making
changes which would normally be permitted elsewhere, to ensure
that any alterations do not detract from the area's
appearance. These changes include certain types of cladding,
inserting dormer windows, and putting up satellite dishes
which are visible from the street.
Under legislation introduced in 1995, local
authorities can make further restrictions on the kind of
alterations allowed, depending on how these might affect the
key elements of buildings in the conservation area. Examples
might be putting up porches, painting a house a different
colour, or changing distinctive doors, windows or other
architectural details. The local authority has to have good
reason for making these restrictions, and must take account of
public views before doing so.
To many owners, any tighter restrictions or additional costs,
such as for special building materials, are more than
outweighed by the pleasure they derive from living in such an
area.
Trees -
Trees make an important contribution to the
character of the local environment. Anyone proposing to cut
down, top or lop a tree in a conservation area, whether or not
it is covered by a tree preservation order, has to give notice
to the local authority. The authority can then consider the
contribution the tree makes to the character of the area and
if necessary make a tree preservation order to protect it. |
What is a listed
building?
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Listed
Buildings - The word 'listing' is a
short-hand term used to describe one of a number of legal
procedures which help protect the best of our architectural
heritage. When buildings are listed they are placed on
statutory lists of buildings of 'special architectural or
historic interest' compiled by the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport under the Planning (Listed Buildings
and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, on advice from English
Heritage.
Listing is not intended to fossilise a building. A building's
long-term interests are often best served by putting it to
good use, and if this cannot be the one it was designed for, a
new use may have to be found. Listing ensures that the
architectural and historic interest of the building is
carefully considered before any alterations, either outside or
inside, are agreed.The main criteria used for listing
buildings are:
- architectural interest:
all buildings which are nationally important for the
interest of their architectural design, decoration and
craftsmanship; also important examples of particular
building types and techniques, and significant plan forms
- historic
interest: this includes
buildings which illustrate important aspects of the nation's
social, economic, cultural or military history
- close
historical association with
nationally important buildings or events
- group
value, especially where
buildings comprise an important architectural or historic
unity or are a fine example of planning (such as squares,
terraces and model villages)
Listed buildings are graded to
show their relative importance:
- Grade I buildings are those of
exceptional interest
- Grade II* are particularly important
buildings of more than special interest
- Grade II are of special interest,
warranting every effort to preserve them
There are 370,000 or so list
entries currently protected by listing, and of those by far
the majority - over 92% - are Grade II. Grade I and II*
buildings may be eligible for English
Heritage grants for urgent major repairs.
You can see local lists and
obtain copies of individual entries at your local council
planning department, county council offices and most local
reference libraries. A complete set of lists for the whole
country is available for inspection at the
National Monuments Record Record Centre.
 For
more in-depth information visit the English Heritage web site
by
clicking here or the logo. |
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Archaeology
of Somerset, topography, bibliography and links to other
sources of information
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