Conservation

Conservation advice: The local authority provide advice and consultation to local residents who are considering carrying out any works on property within a conservation area. The authority can advise on the need for permission, their procedures, what should be submitted with an application and the matters that will be taken into account in deciding an application.
Conservation areas: Councils have the power to designate as Conservation Areas, areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. It is the responsibility of the council to ensure that any new development should be sympathetic to the special architectural and aesthetic qualities of the area, particularly in terms of scale, design, materials and space between buildings. Councils have a statutory obligation to compile a list containing particulars of any area which has been designated as a conservation area which is available for public inspection.
Listed buildings register: A 'listed building' is a building, object or structure that has been judged to be of national historical or architectural interest. The council are responsible for considering applications to demolish a listed building or for any alteration or extension which would affect its character as a building of architectural or historic interest