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Conservation areas

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Aldeburgh

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:

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