Clophill Conservation Area Consultation
The exhibition marks the launch of a six week consultation (24 November- 4 January) on the review of the Clophill Conservation Area and the publication of the Draft Clophill Conservation Area Appraisal. The Clophill conservation area was first designated in 1973 and last reviewed in 1991.
The Draft Clophill Conservation Area Appraisal will consider the character, appearance and setting of the Clophill conservation area, as well as identifying areas for possible future enhancement, that would benefit the amenity of the conservation area.
There are a number of relatively minor proposed amendments to the conservation area boundary (three additions and 1 subtraction).
Once the consultation is complete, all representations and comments received will be considered in producing, the final version of the Clophill Conservation Area Appraisal. This document will then be considered by the Council and, if agreed, will be used as Planning Guidance to inform decision-making related to planning and other applications and any proposed highway works.
Anyone unable to attend the exhibition, can view the information on-line and make representations and comments on the Mid Beds website:
- Clophill Conservation Area information
- Make representations and comments online. Alternatively a printed questionnaire and pre-paid envelope can be obtained from Mid Beds District Council’s Priory House offices or telephone Rob Uff on 01462 611 339 or Fiona Webb on 01462 611 405 to request one.
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Notes To Editors
Conservation areas
The concept of the conservation area- an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance- was first introduced in 1967. During those 40 years, around 9,000 conservation areas have been designated in England.
There are 39 conservation areas in Mid Bedfordshire, including all of the core historic centres of most of the towns- Biggleswade, Sandy and Ampthill- and many of the villages and smaller settlements together with some parkland settings (such as Wrest Park, Silsoe & Old Warden).
There is a duty on Mid Beds District Council to formulate and publish proposals for each conservation area and to carry out regular reviews. Since 2001 a number of reviews have taken place and appraisals published.
The special interest, character and appearance of an area will usually be determined by the listed and other historic buildings and the built form of the place but the spaces around and between buildings, road patterns and layouts, trees, walls, hedges, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, street furniture, paving and other surfaces can all be powerful influences. It is now widely accepted, with overwhelming public support, that the preservation and enhancement of the historic environment is a key part of planning policy and that conservation areas make a significant contribution to the quality of life.
The benefits of conservation area designation include:
A greater control and influence over the design and appearance of new development-
control over the size of extensions and types of works that are usually permitted development, (i.e.not requiring the need for the submission of a planning application.
control over certain proposals for demolition- conservation area consent is required for demolition of an unlisted building in many circumstances;
steps to ensure that buildings are kept in good repair (urgent preservation);
