Policies
Conservation Areas
A conservation area is an area of "special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". It will be an area where buildings and spaces interact to form a recognisably distinct area - where there has been substantial modern development and only isolated buildings survive designation as a conservation area will not be appropriate. This is so that the concept of conservation areas is not devalued. For further information see here.
There are additional planning controls over certain works carried out within the conservation area. For example, demolition within conservation areas requires consent. The designation does not preclude development from taking place, but does require that developments preserve or enhance the historic character of the area, for example by ensuring that newly constructed buildings are of a high quality design. Conservation area status also removes some permitted development rights that apply in undesignated areas.
Within the Tewkesbury borough there are currently fourteen conservation areas, Tewkesbury Town being one. Tewkesbury Town Conservation Area map .
The Tewkesbury Town Conservation Area appraisal was completed in 2012 prior to revisions being made. This is a very comprehensive appraisal, containing a great deal of information about the historic fabric of the town, good development and bad, many maps and Listed building lists etc.
Within a conservation area, planning applications are subject to more scrutiny than otherwise, even if a Listed building is not involved. Certain “planning rules” have been established that preclude internally illuminated shop signs or inappropriately designed plastic new or replacement windows for instance. The TBC does publish guidance for things like “dormer windows”, “porches” and other building details; see an example here . The Society is working with the TBC Conservation Officer to establish “Shop Front Guidelines” that if adopted will become part of planning law and thus help to improve the future street scene and prevent the worst shop front design disasters (often imposed by national chains). See Shop front project .
In Tewkesbury town (as well as Winchcombe) the Society feels that TBC should do more to protect the Conservation area by ensuring pavements are kept largely free from unsightly clutter like permanently located waste “wheelie bins”. See “Wheelie bin” project.
There are additional planning controls over certain works carried out within the conservation area. For example, demolition within conservation areas requires consent. The designation does not preclude development from taking place, but does require that developments preserve or enhance the historic character of the area, for example by ensuring that newly constructed buildings are of a high quality design. Conservation area status also removes some permitted development rights that apply in undesignated areas.
Within the Tewkesbury borough there are currently fourteen conservation areas, Tewkesbury Town being one. Tewkesbury Town Conservation Area map .
The Tewkesbury Town Conservation Area appraisal was completed in 2012 prior to revisions being made. This is a very comprehensive appraisal, containing a great deal of information about the historic fabric of the town, good development and bad, many maps and Listed building lists etc.
Within a conservation area, planning applications are subject to more scrutiny than otherwise, even if a Listed building is not involved. Certain “planning rules” have been established that preclude internally illuminated shop signs or inappropriately designed plastic new or replacement windows for instance. The TBC does publish guidance for things like “dormer windows”, “porches” and other building details; see an example here . The Society is working with the TBC Conservation Officer to establish “Shop Front Guidelines” that if adopted will become part of planning law and thus help to improve the future street scene and prevent the worst shop front design disasters (often imposed by national chains). See Shop front project .
In Tewkesbury town (as well as Winchcombe) the Society feels that TBC should do more to protect the Conservation area by ensuring pavements are kept largely free from unsightly clutter like permanently located waste “wheelie bins”. See “Wheelie bin” project.