Conservation AreasA conservation area is defined in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as an "area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance." Every local planning authority has a duty to periodically consider the designation of further conservation areas where there are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The Borough Council has considered this duty and at present proposes no additions to the above list. Conservation area status provides additional controls over most demolition, the size limit of extensions to non-listed dwellings for which no planning application need be made, illuminated advertisements on business premises, satellite dishes and other telecommunications operations and work to trees. Legislation also exists to enable local authorities to secure necessary repairs to an unoccupied non-listed building in a conservation area which is not being preserved in a weatherproof and secure condition.The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires Local Planning Authorities to determine areas of special architectural or historic interests, "the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". These areas are called Conservation Areas. Spelthorne Borough has a number of towns and villages of considerable historic interests and architectural merit. It has a range of buildings which span a number of centuries. In an effort to conserve important elements of our built heritage, the Council has adopted Preservation and Enhancement Statements for its eight conservation areas; Staines, Laleham, Stanwell, Lower Sunbury, Lower Halliford, Upper Halliford, Shepperton and Manygate Lane.These statements set out the historic development of each of the areas, and define elements of their character or appearance that make them special today. As well as highlighting the features that make a positive contribution to the conservation areas, the statements indicate where harm has occurred in the past. They provide a context for the planning policies contained in the emerging local development framework, and will help secure developments that pay special regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of these areas. Manygate Lane Estate Conservation Area Preservation and Enhancement Plan October 2002 (pdf - 488 kb)
