Please follow the links at the bottom of this page to view maps of Shropshire's conservation areas.
What is a conservation area?
Conservation areas are defined by section 69 of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act 1990 as:
''...areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance."
This is a strictly applied definition and should not be confused with areas of outstanding natural beauty or other designated areas.
Conservation Areas are designated by the council, usually after public consultation, although this is not a legal requirement.
How are conservation areas chosen for designation?
Conservation areas vary, ranging from historic town centres to industrial and rural villages. They are designated usually because of their buildings, but they can also be designated because of their history, architecture, layout or private spaces, such as gardens, parks and greens, trees or street furniture. Conservation areas give broader protection than listing individual buildings, and all features within the area, listed or otherwise, are recognised as part of its character.
What does designation mean?
Within a conservation area the council has extra controls over the following:
- The council is under a duty ''from time to time'' to publish and consult on proposals to preserve and enhance a conservation area.
- In dealing with planning applications in conservation areas, the council is required to ''pay special attention'' to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area. This means that there is a higher standard of design required in conservation areas than elsewhere.
- Planning applications in conservation areas must be advertised as prescribed by regulations.
- It is an offence to demolish a building or structure in a conservation area without the consent of the council. There are some exceptions - please ask before taking action.
- English Heritage has the power to make grants or loans for preservation or enhancement, although none are currently available.
- It is an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or destroy a tree in a conservation area without having given six weeks' notice to the council. There are some exceptions - please ask before taking action.
- Permitted development and the right to display advertisements are more limited than elsewhere.
- Telecommunications operators have more onerous obligations placed on them.
- Not all satellite antennae in conservation areas need planning permission However, the council tries to ensure that satellite antennae in conservation areas are carefully sited so as not to detract from the appearance of the area.
- The council promotes the retention of traditional shopfronts. Where replacements are necessary or desirable, great care must be taken in their design to ensure compatibility with the building and the street scene.
- The LPA encourages the fullest possible use of accommodation above shops.
- Advertisements and signs in conservation areas must be designed to high standards, and be made of materials that do not detract from the character or appearance of the area.
- The council promotes the retention of traditional street furniture and surfaces, and will seek the suitable replacement of non-conforming street furniture and surfaces.
Positive action in conservation areas
Where appropriate, and subject to the availability of resources, the council will participate in grant schemes. Please see the grant pages for further information.
The council has a Conservation Area Advisory Committee for Ludlow - please visit the page ‘Conservation Areas in South Shropshire’ for further information.
Article 4 Directions
Under the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995, certain works may be undertaken without the need for planning permission, and are known as 'permitted development'. Within conservation areas permitted development is more restrictive, in particular for extensions and alterations to houses, and for other development within residential curtilages.
Not all works in a conservation area require consent, but their character is comprised of many building types, with a wide range of details. The cumulative effect of inappropriate changes to windows, doors, chimneys and roof materials can have a major adverse impact on the overall character of the area. For this reason, the district council may resolve to make additional Article 4 and Article 4(2) directions in the future to control minor alterations to buildings.
In making an Article 4 direction, certain permitted development rights are withdrawn for a prescribed range of works. These are works that materially affect some aspects of the external appearance of houses, such as windows, doors, roofs, and frontages. Householders in areas affected by an Article 4 direction need to make an application to the council for permission to undertake such work.