Published: 21 October 2022

From: Planning

The creation of two new conservation areas covering Queens Square and The Broadway and Gossops Green Neighbourhood Centre will be considered by ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ Borough Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 2 November. 

Forming conservation areas helps both to protect ºÚÁÏÍøվ’s New Town identity and to enhance the quality and suitability of new development in those areas.

The Cabinet will also debate amending the boundaries of two of ºÚÁÏÍøվ’s eleven existing conservation areas – the High Street and St Peter’s.

A conservation area does not prevent new development. It restores planning powers to the council to give members and stakeholders the opportunity to require higher quality and appropriate development, which enhances ºÚÁÏÍøվ’s New Town character and heritage.

Millions of pounds of public investment has been unlocked by the council and partners to invest in transforming the town centre’s public spaces. It’s critical that good quality buildings with appropriate uses are developed which are both complementary to this regeneration and sympathetic to the New Town character and identity. As it stands, poor quality upward extensions to buildings and inappropriate building changes of use can happen without councillors and local residents having a say.

Councillor Atif Nawaz

Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development

ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ Borough Council

These proposed Conservation Area changes were subject to public consultation in February and March 2021 and feedback from ºÚÁÏÍøվ’s Conservation Area Committees and from Historic England has been supportive.

Subject to Cabinet approval, a Conservation Area Statement will be drawn up for each area and will outline historical background, character evaluation and guidance on development. The council would work with residents to form the statements.

Another way in which residents can get involved is by joining a Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC). The groups are formed of residents and other interested parties who help to look after the area, put plans into action and comment on planning applications.

There are already 11 conservation areas in ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾:

  • Brighton Road, Southgate
  • Dyers Almshouses, Northgate
  • Forestfield and Shrublands, Furnace Green
  • Hazelwick Road, Three Bridges
  • High Street, West Green and Northgate
  • Ifield Village, Ifield
  • Malthouse Road, Southgate
  • Southgate Neighbourhood Centre
  • St Peters, West Green
  • Sunnymead Flats, West Green
  • Worth

For more information about conservation areas in ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾, visit our nature conservation pages.

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