Conservation Areas

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The character of historic towns and villages has evolved slowly over time, producing unique areas of architectural and historic interest. The historic layout of streets and footpaths, the survival of historic property boundaries, the use of traditional and local buildings materials, the scale, arrangement and grouping of buildings, open spaces and important trees, all combine to create a special character.

Conservation Areas can be designated by a local authority to protect the character and appearance of historic areas, and over 9000 conservation areas have now been designated in England which vary hugely in size and type. They include areas as diverse as the centre of historic towns and cities, rural villages, historic suburbs, country houses set in their historic parkland and even the route of historic canals.

Fareham has designated 13 conservation areas at;

Cams Hall |Catisfield |Fareham High Street |Hook |Osborn Road |Portchester Castle Street|Sarisbury Green

Swanwick Shore |Titchfield |Titchfield Abbey |Town Quay |Wallington | Warsash

Effect of Designation

The Local Planning Authority has a duty imposed by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to determine which parts of the borough are areas of special architectural or historic interest. Proposals for their preservation and enhancement should be formulated and published. Designation of a conservation area does not mean that development can never take place but it does mean that the local planning authority must consider very carefully the impact of any proposals on the character and appearance of the area. Only development that does not harm its character will be approved. The council has included policies in its local plan and the emerging local development framework to protect the character of conservation areas.

Planning Control

• Development for which planning permission is not required  (some extensions, alterations and other development) is more restricted within Conservation Areas.  Therefore it is advisable to contact Regulatory Services: Development Control if you want to carry out work on your property in a Conservation Area.
• You must give the local planning authority six weeks' notice of your intention to carry out works to trees in a conservation area; use the 1APP form (No. 31 on the list). It is an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot or wilfully damage or destroy trees in a conservation area without doing so.
• Conservation Area Consent is required for the demolition of some unlisted buildings and structures in a conservation area. If you are proposing any demolition in a conservation area it is advisable to contact the Council's Conservation Officer to confirm if consent would be required.

Applications are carefully considered in a conservation area to ensure that character and appearance is not harmed. Applicants are encouraged to discuss ideas for development proposals with planning officers and the Council's Conservation Officer prior to submitting an application. Please follow the link for a guidance leaflet relating to conservation areas (1,445 Kb) .

Conservation Area Character Assessment

• In order to make informed decisions about development that affects the character of a conservation area, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what makes a particular area special.  A Conservation Area Character Assessment identifies the features in a conservation area that define its character and make it worthy of protection. 
• Local Authorities are encouraged to produce assessments for all their conservation areas, by both the Government and English Heritage.  For more information and to download individual character assessments visit the conservation area character assessment page.

 

Fareham Borough Council has drafted revised Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Strategies for the Conservation Areas at Hook and Warsash. These are currently the subject of public consultation. The details of the public consultation can be viewed by following this link to the consultation page.