Planning:
conservation areas
What is a Conservation Area?
Conservation areas were created by the Civic Amenities Act of 1967 and are "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". It is the character of the whole area including open spaces, and not just individual buildings, that conservation area designation and policy seek to preserve or enhance.
There are 12 conservation areas in the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed reflecting the diversity and historic character of its towns, villages and parkland. The nine areas are:
- Bamburgh
- Belford
- Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Chatton
- Holy Island
- Kirknewton
- Norham
- Spittal
- Tweedmouth
- Seahouses
- North Sunderland
- Wooler
Maps of the above areas are available for inspection at the Council offices.
Conservation Area Character Appraisals for Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal
As a Council we seek to protect the character of conservation areas by controlling development through planning applications, and by controlling works to trees. We also try to promote enhancement by encouraging high quality design, and by direct action where possible through environmental enhancement programmes.
Trees in Conservation Areas
Subject to some exceptions (including small trees and ones that are dead or dangerous), trees are protected in conservation areas and are treated in a similar manner to those covered by a Tree Preservation Order. You must notify us before carrying out any major work on trees in a conservation area.
Applying for Consent for Development in a Conservation Area
If your proposal involves demolition work, you will need a special form called "Conservation Area Consent". Otherwise development in conservation areas is dealt with through the normal planning application process. If you are in doubt about whether demolition is involved, please ask for our advice.
Submitting the Application
Designating a conservation area does not prevent all future change to buildings and their surroundings. It means that when considering applications, including those which are outside a conservation area but would affect its setting, must pay special reqard to whether the proposed changes "preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area".
Why is a design statement needed (pdf)
We require more detail with applications within and adjacent to conservation areas than with a normal planning application. Most applications in a conservation area should be accompanied by the following:
- a plan with the application building or site clearly marked
- a brief description of the proposed works
- fully detailed and clearly labelled "before and after" drawings of all external elevations affected by the proposal, including its relationship to adjacent buildings
- a landscaping scheme (if relevant)
- in most cases, a statement of the effect of the proposal on the
character and appearance of the conservation area
Sources of information to help in preparing an application.
The current conservation area legislation is contained in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the practical interpretation of this is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15, (PPG15) entitled, "Planning and the Historic Environment". Section 4 deals with applications in conservation areas.
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