What do you think of your conservation area?
Do you live in Earl Soham, Grundisburgh, Melton, Orford,
Peasenhall, Thorpeness, Westleton or Yoxford?
If you do you might like to have a
read of our draft conservation area
appraisals.
What are conservation areas?
Conservation areas are defined in the Town and Country Planning
Acts as ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest the
character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or
enhance.’
The Act requires the local planning authority to designate
conservation areas where it is considered appropriate within the
area that they cover.
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 an area locally distinctive.
Currently, the Council has designated 34 conservation areas
within the district. These range from the centre of older villages
and towns to hamlets and include open spaces and the landscape
setting of a village.
Most recently, in June 2009, we created a
new conservation area in part of Felixstowe
South to extend the protection given to the town’s important
Late Victorian and Edwardian architectural heritage.
You can use our Geographic Information System to view online
maps of conservation areas.
Guides to the conservation areas can be found in the
Supplementary Planning Guidance section.
Conservation area maps are also available for purchase
from our
planning publications list (new window PDF
49KB).
Advice and guidance
Within a conservation area the planning authority is able to
influence more closely the design of new buildings, alterations,
and other developments to ensure they respect the character of the
conservation area.
Trees in conservation areas are also afforded
protection.
Demolition of buildings within the conservation area requires
consent. There are some exceptions such as temporary buildings, low
walls and small sheds. Applications for consent for demolition in a
conservation area
can be made online or by completing a
conservation area consent form which you can
download or print off.
There may also be a need to
apply for planning permission for alterations or
extensions to buildings that would not normally need planning
permission such as minor roof alterations, dormer windows and
satellite dishes.
The preservation of the qualities of a conservation area is
important but at the same time we recognise that changes may need
to take place to ensure that the area is enhanced and remains
prosperous.
The following guidance leaflets are available to view
or download:
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF files.
For advice or further information contact:
Robert Scrimgeour, Senior Design and
Conservation Officer, on 01394 444616 or
email
robert.scrimgeour@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
Adrian Craddock, Design and Conservation
Officer, on 01394 444470 or email
adrian.craddock@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Further information about planning permission is available from our
development control webpages or you can call our
planning helpdesk on 01394 444428 or
444403 or email
d.c.admin@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Useful links
Additional information can be found on the following
websites: