Conservation Areas are areas that are considered by the Council to be of ‘special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.
Conservation areas are aimed at protecting the overall character, created by the quality and special interest of areas, as well as the individual buildings. This means that special planning regulations apply within these areas, for example most demolition work requires Conservation Area Consent and it is advisable to check with the Development Management team before carrying out any demolition in a conservation area. Other restrictions also apply, for further information please see our leaflets Living in a Conservation Area and Conservation Areas: A Householder’s Guide. Within some of these conservation areas Article 4 Directions have been designated, which further control development.
The Development Management team can offer advice about whether permission is required for works, and application forms and leaflets can be downloaded from this website. Policy 85 of the District Local Plan Review (1994) is the primary, but not the only, policy used by the council in determining applications in the conservation area.
In addition, trees have legal protection in conservation areas, information can be obtained from the Council’s Trees and Woodlands section. Conservation areas may also coincide with areas of archeological interest. More information is available from the District Archaeologist at swest@stalbans.gov.uk and the Council’s Archaeology Strategy.
There are 18 conservation areas in St Albans District at present, a list of the current conservation areas and maps of each area can be viewed online.
Conservation Area Character Statements
Conservation Area Character Statements, which assess the character of each conservation area are on a rolling programme of production. All are available for purchase as hard copies and can be ordered from our planning publications page. Those for Harpenden, Waterend, Old Bricket Wood, Park Street and Frogmore, London Colney, Redbourn, Sopwell, Wheathampstead and Amwell can also be viewed online.
The Statement for St Albans is awaiting amendments following a review and public consultation. The draft Statement is viewable here.
Locally Listed Buildings
Many of the buildings within conservation areas are locally listed. This is different from listed building designation, but means that the building is deemed to make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the conservation area and therefore there is a presumption for retention. The Conservation and Design team will be able to advise if a building is locally listed. The lists for both St Albans and Harpenden can be purchased (see our Planning Publications page) and the conservation area character statements refer to the locally listed buildings.
For further advice on these matters please call 01727 866100 and ask for the Conservation and Design Team or email them at planning@stalbans.gov.uk
Date of last review: 09 August 2011