Conservation Area Appraisal FAQs

What is a conservation area?

A conservation area is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance.

What makes an area special?

The architectural or historical quality and interest of an area defines what makes an area special. This can include individual buildings, the historic layout of roads and boundaries; building and paving materials; a particular 'mix' of building uses; public and private spaces, such as gardens, parks and greens; and trees and street furniture, all of which contribute to the quality of the townscape.

How are conservation areas designated?

Local authorities have the power to designate conservation areas. A survey must be undertaken first to assess the historical or architectural quality of an area and to define the limits of the area to be included.

Once a conservation area has been designated, does it ever change?

Conservation areas are reassessed from time to time to decide if any adjustment to the boundary is required.

How many conservation areas are there in the borough?

There are eight conservation areas in the borough. 

There are two conservation areas in Welwyn Garden City, the largest one lies to the west of the railway line and includes the town centre. A smaller conservation area is located in the Beehive Lane area.

There are also conservation areas in Old Hatfield, Welwyn, Ayot Green, Ayot St Lawrence, Essendon and Northaw.

Why did the Council decide to review the Welwyn Garden City conservation area?

The Council has a duty to review, from time to time, its conservation areas. The Welwyn Garden City conservation area is the borough’s largest and one of the oldest in terms of designation.  Welwyn Garden City is one of only two Garden Cities in the country and was also designated as a New Town. The Garden City’s unique status and importance in town and social planning is recognised at both a national and international level.

What is a conservation area appraisal?

An appraisal provides an opportunity to re-assess the designated conservation area and to evaluate and record its special interest. Once it has been approved, it will provide a basis for development control and for developing initiatives or management proposals for the area.

Who undertook the appraisal?

The Council appointed a firm of specialist consultants, Conservation Architecture & Planning (CAP) to undertake the appraisal.

When were they appointed?

In November 2005.

What were they (CAP) appointed to do?

CAP were appointed to prepare a draft (and final) Conservation Area Appraisal. CAP were also required to make recommendations to the Council where they consider that (a) any of the boundaries should be altered, (b) any buildings or structures could be considered worthy of listing (either locally or through the statutory listing route) and (c) whether there is a need for additional controls to help manage development and change within the conservation area.

How has the community been involved in the preparation of the appraisal?

CAP contacted key stakeholders at the very start of the appraisal process, so that the views of interested parties could be considered before the draft written appraisal was prepared. Once the draft appraisal was completed, 4,000 letters were sent to properties within and adjoining the conservation area.

Who are these key stakeholders? 

They include local residents associations, local amenity and business groups such as the Welwyn Garden City Society, the Welwyn Garden City Chamber of Commerce, residents who had responded to previous consultation on the District Plan (on conservation matters) and locally elected councillors for the area covered by the Conservation Area.

Why didn’t the Council consult with more people at the pre-draft stage?

No document had been prepared at this early stage and the stakeholders were requested to help define what makes the area special by identifying matters such as:

• Distinctive features or areas which make a positive / negative contribution to the Conservation Area
• Key features that they consider are being eroded over time
• Areas that could be included / excluded from the Conservation Area
• Buildings or structures of note for their architectural or historical importance
• Important open spaces and significant views
• The contribution and quality of street furniture
• The impact of traffic and parking.

How many people did the Council consult on the further extension?

We wrote to 220 properties that were not previously contacted and that were located in adjoining areas that the consultants recommended should be included in the conservation area. We also made the appraisal available at the Council Offices and the Library in Campus West.

I would like to view the appraisal. How can I do this?

The conservation area appraisal  is available to view/download here.  Paper copies are available to view at the Welwyn Garden City library (Campus West) and at the Council Offices receptions (the Campus and Campus West).  Unfortunately, the Council is unable to provide free paper copies.

Can I purchase a copy and if so where from?

The document will be formally published in the autumn and will be available to purchase from the Council.

If my property is located in a conservation area, how is it affected?

Within conservation areas there are a number of planning controls to help protect the character of the area.  These include controls, which do not normally apply in other areas, to matters such as the demolition of buildings, development such as the erection of cladding, dormer windows, satellite dishes and proposed works to trees.  If you live in a conservation area, you have to obtain permission before making certain changes which would normally be permitted elsewhere, to ensure that any alterations do not detract from the area's appearance. 

Demolition

Conservation area consent is required for the demolition of most structures and buildings, including walls, fences and gates over 1 metre in height where adjoining a highway or 2 metres elsewhere.

Trees

If you wish to fell, lop, top or uproot a tree within the conservation area, you must notify the Council six weeks in advance of the work.

Development

The following require consent.

• Roof extensions, including dormer windows
• Exterior cladding
• The erection of satellite dishes on elevations fronting a highway or on chimneys
• The erection of garden buildings larger than 10 cubic metres or extensions larger than 50 cubic metres.

Contact us for more information if you are planning any changes to your property or surrounding areas.

How can I comment on the proposal to extend the conservation area?

The consultation period has now closed.

What will happen next?

The results of the consultation on the extension of the conservation area were summarised and reported to the Council's Cabinet Planning and Transportation Panel on 23rd August 2007, when the decision was taken to approve the extension. This was agreed by Cabinet on 4th September 2007. The Council have written to residents in the newly extended conservation area to make them aware that their property is now included in the Welwyn Garden City Conservation Area and have published a notice in the local paper.