Conservation areas at risk

English Heritage's new campaign

A new survey of conservation areas by English Heritage reveals that approximately one in seven are at risk from neglect, decay or inappropriate change. They would like people to support for their campaign to save conservation areas from irreversible decline.

Introduced by the 1967 Civic Amenities Act, there are some 9,300 Conservation Areas across England. “Designated to protect the historic places we hold most special, they are the element of England’s heritage that is all around us and which touches all our lives.”

English Heritage is calling for Councils to:

Use the powers they already have to apply Article 4 Directions in Conservation Areas, giving them control over small changes to doors, windows, roofs and fences, which, unchecked, lead to slow but irreversible decline. Our survey shows that Conservation Areas with Appraisals or Article 4 Directions are almost twice as likely to improve in the next three years as those without.

Pay more attention to the public spaces of conservation areas, applying the principles set out in English Heritage’s Save Our Streets guidance.

For more information log on to www.english-heritage.org.uk