conservation area statement - Stroud District Council

CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT – CONSERVATION AREA NO. 16 – TOP OF TOWNPURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENTThe Act requires Planning Authorities to reviewtheir Conservation Areas from time to time.This is the main function of this document.Within Stroud District, there are 42Conservation Areas, some of which were firstdesignated 30 years ago, and the approach todesignation has changed greatly in this time.♦ Firstly, Planning Authorities are nowrequired, in carrying out their planningfunctions, to “pay special attention to thedesirability of preserving or enhancing thecharacter or appearance of theConservation Area” (Section 72 of the Act).♦ Secondly, Planning Authorities shouldpublish proposals for the preservation andenhancement of their Conservation Areas(Section 71 of the Act).In this review, we aim to identify what makesup the “special interest” of the Top of the Townarea and analyse and define its “character andappearance”. This will provide a firm basisfor planning decisions within the ConservationArea, based on Development Plan policies.It also provides the groundwork for thepreparation of policies and proposals intendedfor the preservation or enhancement of thearea. These policies may be aimed at specificsites within the Conservation Area, or moregeneral guidance relevant to the wholeConservation Area, such as the use ofappropriate materials.THE TOP OF TOWN STUDY AREAThe Top of Town Conservation Area (No. 16)was designated in February 1978.In this review, we will be looking at theexisting Top of Town Conservation Area andthe land immediately adjacent to it, to see if itis appropriate to amend the boundaries of theConservation Area.The Study Area and the existing ConservationArea boundaries are shown on map 1.Page 4