Conservation FAQs

Questions

1. Q. Is my building in a conservation area?
2. Q. What is a conservation area?
3. Q. Why are conservation areas designated?
4. Q. How are conservation areas designated?
5. Q. What works can I do to my building in a conservation area?
6. Q. When do I apply for Conservation Area Consent?

1. Q. Is my building in a conservation area?

   A. To find out whether your building is in a conservation area click on the link below. This will take you to the Local Plan Proposals maps, pick the map which applies to your village or town or indeed the city of Chichester. The Conservation Areas are outlined in yellow dashed lines, if your building is inside this line then it is in a conservation area. If you are still unsure of where your building lies contact the Development Control Department at Chichester District Council.

   
   External link to: Chichester District Local Plan first review - inset maps
   

   
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2. Q. What is a conservation area?

   A. A conservation area is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. They can range from a small group of buildings up to whole city centres. Within Chichester District there are 87 conservation areas including small villages such as such as Compton and Runcton through the towns such as Selsey and Midhurst up to the majority of Chichester City Centre. Conservation areas do not necessarily cover the whole settlement, normally it is only the historic core of a village, town or city which is designated.

   
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3. Q. Why are conservation areas designated?

   A. It is the quality and interest of whole areas which leads to their designation as conservation areas, not individual buildings. In recent years it has been found that our experience of historic areas relies on more than the quality of individual buildings, although this is still important. It is also to do with the historic layout of boundaries and streets, on a mix of uses, on characteristic materials and on the right scaling and detailing of contemporary buildings . The character of an area is also affected by street furniture, benches, bins etc as well as hard surfacing such as pavements and roads and soft surfaces such as landscaping and grass. Conservation Areas also take into account views along streets and buildings and views into and out of the conservation area. In conservation areas which contain shops the quality of shop fronts and advertisements can also have an effect on the quality of the area.

   
   More information on: Why are conservation areas designated?|
   

   
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4. Q. How are conservation areas designated?

   A. Conservation areas are designated by the local authority. As an authority we survey the district for areas which we consider reach the criteria needed for designation of conservation area.

   
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5. Q. What works can I do to my building in a conservation area?

   A. Conservation area designation should not stop development; it means that development within the area should be controlled and managed and should make a positive contribution. Therefore there is an emphasis on high quality design and materials within conservation areas.

   
   More information on: What works can I do to my building in a conservation area?|
   

   
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6. Q. When do I apply for Conservation Area Consent?

   A. You only need to apply for conservation area consent when you propose demolition of a building or part of a building over 115 cubic metres. Otherwise all other works can be dealt with as planning applications although conservation area status is a material planning consideration in any planning decisions.

   
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