Appendix - Peak District National Park Authority

INTRODUCTION TO CONSERVATION AREAS & APPRAISALSWhat is a Conservation Area?A Conservati on Area is d efined as a n area of ‘sp ecial arch itectural o r histo ric intere st, the cha racter o rappearance of which it is desi rable to preserve or enhance’ (Planning (Listed Buildings and ConservationAreas) Act 1990).Each Conservation Area has a unique character shaped by a combination of elements including buildings,materials, spaces, trees, street plan, history and economic background.The aim of Conservation Area designation is to ensure that this character is not destroyed or underminedby inappropriate changes.Conservation Areas in the Peak District National ParkThere a re 109 Conservation Are as i n the National Park. Mo st contain g roups of traditio nal buil dings.Others include Historic Parks and Ga rdens, such as Lyme Park, or indu strial sites, such a s CressbrookMill.Conservation Areas generally have an aesthetic quality that makes them desirable places in which to live.In order to preserve and enhance this aesthetic quality, a high standard of design and materials is requiredof any development within a Conservation Area. Organisations, includi ng utility providers, are encouragedto exercise care and sensitivity.Grant Assistance in a Conservation AreaGrants are currently available (2011) for the repair and reinstatement of ex ternal architectural features toboth listed and unli sted b uildings an d stone b oundary wall s in a Con servation Area. Su ch works ma yinclude, for example, the rep air of st one slate roofs, or the re-instatement of hi storically approp riatewindows. For further information and a dvice please contact the National Park Authority’s Cultural Herita geTeam (on 01629 816200).Funding may also be avail able for tre e planting and tree surgery (no grants a re provided fo r tree felling).For further information please contact the Nation al Park Autho rity’s Tree Con servation Officer (on 01629816200).Parish Coun cils and lo cal orga nisations can apply to the Nati onal Pa rk A uthority for h elp in fundi ngenvironmental enhancements to public spaces.If local communities want to produce a Management Action Plan they can seek advice on both productionof the plan a nd sources of funding for p rojects identified within it from the Natio nal Park Authority’s Live &Work Rural Officers (on 01629 816200).Projects that have sustainability as their principle objective may be eligible for a grant from t he Authority’sSustainable Development Fun d (SDF). Fo r info rmation plea se contact the National Park Authority’s SDOfficer (on 0 1629 8 16200). For a dvice on improvin g t he ene rgy efficien cy of histori c b uildings plea secontact the National Park Authority’s Cultural Heritage Team.For furth er in formation a bout gra nt assistan ce with in a Co nservation Area, p lease refe r to the Natio nalPark Authority’s website: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/grantsrrPlanning Constraints in a Conservation AreaConservation Area designation brings with it some legislative controls to ensure that any changes respectthe special character of the area. The following works in a Conservation Area will require permission:• Demolition of all, or most of a building, including boundary walls.• Lopping or felling trees.Other works that may require permission include:• Cladding a building.• Installation of a satellite dish or domestic micro-generation equipment.For further advice, please contact the National Park Authority’s Planning Services (on 01629 816000).What is a Conservation Area Appraisal?Local Authorities have a duty to review Conservation Areas from time to time. The preparation, publicationand formal adoption of Conservation Area Appraisals is part of this process. Appraisals are being carriedout, and in some insta nces reviewe d, for each of the Peak District Natio nal Park’ s 109 ConservationAreas. English He ritage’s ‘Guidan ce o n Con servation Area App raisals’ (200 6) form s the basis of theAuthority’s appraisals.ii