Views are wanted on the drafts appraisals that have been carried
out on seven of the district’s 34 conservation areas and which aim
to guide how any changes in the areas can be managed in the
future.
The seven areas covered are Blythburgh, Brandeston, Cretingham,
Darsham, Dennington, Huntingfield and Saxtead, and people have
until Friday, April 13 to make any relevant comments on the
appraisals.
“Conservation areas are officially defined as having special
architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of
which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. We are currently
reviewing all 34 areas in our district to see what if anything
needs to be done to keep them special,” said Cllr Andy Smith,
Cabinet Member for Planning.
“Each appraisal is a fascinating snapshot of what makes each
area important, whether it is its buildings, streets, trees,
setting, historic features or even its spaces. I would strongly
recommend that people take the time to read the appraisals and find
out much more about these areas.
“The appraisal process is an opportunity to identify what needs
to be done to manage each area in the future, and how its
appearance can be protected or its development controlled. The
feedback from our communities on what is proposed is therefore
important in setting out the way forwards for each of these areas,”
added Cllr Smith.
Conservation areas are a unique form of conservation because
they not only protect buildings, including those that are unlisted
buildings, but also open spaces, trees and special features that
make the area locally distinctive.
The Council has designated 34 conservation areas ranging from
the centre of older villages and towns to hamlets, and these
include open spaces and the landscape setting of a village. A new
conservation area in part of Felixstowe South was created in June
2009 to extend the protection given to the town’s important Late
Victorian and Edwardian architectural heritage.
“Since June 2010 we have completed appraisals for the
conservation areas in Earl Soham, Grundisburgh, Melton, Orford,
Peasenhall, Thorpeness, Westleton, Woodbridge and Yoxford and
these have all been adopted as Supplementary Planning Documents
which means they are helping to influence local planning
decisions.
“I would urge people interested in the seven areas we are
currently reviewing to take their chance now to make comments on
our draft appraisals as the final versions will play an important
role in keeping these key parts of our district as special as they
are now,” added Cllr Smith.
The appraisals can be seen on at the Council’s Melton Hill
offices or on
www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/planning/policy/conservation/appraisals/
There are no proposals in the appraisals to alter the boundaries of
the conservation areas but suggestions for doing so are welcome for
any future boundary review.
Comments should be sent to
conservation@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
or to the design and conservation team, Suffolk Coastal District
Council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU. Residents wanting more
information can also call the team on 01394
444616.