Once an area has been designated as a conservation area,
we need to develop policies which clearly identify what
features of the area should be preserved or enhanced, and set out
how this can be done.
Character appraisals help to provide a clear assessment and
definition of an area's special interest and the action needed to
preserve it. They also help to generate awareness and
encourage property owners to take the right sort of action for
themselves. Appraisals also help in the review of the
boundaries and identify areas where enhancement may be
desirable.
Enhancement
Some of the means by which we can enhance the appearance of
conservation areas are:
- Preparing development briefs for sites
- Ensuring that new buildings harmonize with or
complement the area's character in scale, style and use
of materials
- Making environmental improvements, for example by reinstating
historic paving, providing sympathetic landscaping and planting, or
removing unsightly elements
- Work with the Highway Authority to integrate road works as far
as possible with the character of the street
- Controlling the position and design of advertisements and shop
signs
- Ensuring that traffic management and control measures harmonize
with the landscape
- Making small grants available, if resources are
available, for the repair of buildings
Management plans
Building conservation area policies into wider development
plans is the best means of integrating conservation policies
with plans for the area, such as shopping and traffic
management.
Once policies for a particular area have been agreed, local
residents and businesses should be made fully aware of why the area
has been designated and how they can protect its character and
appearance.
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