Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest with character or appearance which is desirable to preserve or enhance.
How are they designated?
These areas are designated by local authorities who assess the ‘specialness’. A conservation area recognises, protects, and celebrates areas of special character to protect the area and its features.
What defines ‘special character’ in a conservation area?
A conservation area will typically have a concentration of historic buildings, but its character and interest can come from other factors, including:
- Views in and out of the area
- Historic layout of property boundaries and roads
- Character and architectural style
- Social and historic associations
- How people experience places at different times of day and night and seasonally
- Locally important buildings
- Characteristic building materials
- Open spaces, green areas, parks and gardens, trees
- Street furniture, e.g., lamp posts, bollards, seating
- Colours and textures
- Local distinctiveness and sense of place
Character can also draw on more abstract ideas such as sounds, environmental conditions, and historical changes, which create a distinctive sense of place, a feature that’s wholly protected.
There are more than 8,000 conservation areas in England.
For additional information on Conservation areas within Northumberland, please visit our website.
Data is aligned to the specifications for the Planning Data Platform, in accordance with the guidance and specifications for Conservation Area data.
For any data questions or amendments, please contact the Conservation Team at conservation@northumberland.gov.uk or 0345 600 6400.