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Conservation Area Design Guide

Copeland Borough Council has now adopted the Conservation Area Design Guide SPD as from December 5, 2017.

Introduction - conservation areas

Conservation areas are parts of our towns and villages which are rich in historic buildings and features. Rustic vernacular buildings are just as much part of our heritage as classic architecture and the conservation areas of Copeland have both.  Conservation areas are defined in law as:

“Areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance” (s69 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990)

The purpose of this design guide

The Conservation Area Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) 2017 and associated Sustainability Appraisal covers the conservation areas of Copeland including Beckermet, Cleator Moor, Corkickle, Egremont, Hensingham, Millom, St. Bees and Whitehaven (Ravenglass Conservation Area lies within the Lake District National Park Planning Authority area).

The SPD has been produced to help property owners, designers, and developers to achieve good, respectful design and protect the heritage that we share.  Conservation area designations are not designed to obstruct development: they exist to ensure that any change is managed sensitively.  This Design Guide SPD will act as a material planning consideration for decision makers when determining planning applications within, or in close proximity to, the conservation area boundary. 

A public consultation took place in June 2017 on a draft SPD and representations made have been incorporated into the Adopted SPD where necessary.  The Consultation Report detailing all representations received and changes made, can be found below.  The Conservation and Area Design Guide SPD was adopted on 5th December 2017.

- Adopted Conservation Area Design Guide SPD July 2017

Sustainability Appraisal

- Consultation Responses

For further information please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01946 598300.