Conservation Areas can be defined as areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.

The designation of a conservation area indicates the Council's positive commitment to these special areas and its intention to preserve and enhance the quality of the environment. However, conservation areas are not open-air museums but living communities which must be allowed to change over time in order to remain vital and prosperous. Consequently, the emphasis is to guide and control development rather than to prevent it.

You will need to fill in a conservation area consent application form. An application will take up to 8 weeks. There is no fee for this application.

Applications for proposals which affect a conservation area must provide a Heritage Asset Assessment which is usually in the form of a written statement which should include:

• Description of the significance of the Heritage Assets (the conservation area) affected and the contribution of their setting to that significance
• Assessment of the potential impact of the proposal on the significance of the Heritage Asset – impact of the proposal on the character and appearance, setting of the Heritage Asset
• principles of and justification for the proposed works;

The information should explain:

• The sources that you have considered;
• The expertise that you have consulted; and
• The steps that have been taken to avoid or minimise any adverse impacts on the significance of the building

Each Appraisal considers the character, appearance and setting of the Conservation Area, as well as identifying areas for possible future enhancement, that would benefit the amenity of the Conservation Area. The appraisals seek to identify what comprises the special interest of the Conservation Area and contributes to the familiar and cherished local scene, and the sense of local distinctiveness, that is so important in defining the identity, harmony and unique sense of place.

Conservation Area Appraisals have been carried out for the following conservation areas. 

• Ampthill, April 2005
• Aspley End, Shillington, October 2006
• Aspley Guise, March 2008
• Aspley Heath, March 2008
• Astwick, January 2009
• Barton-le-Clay
• Biggleswade, April 2005
• Blunham, June 2005
• Clifton, March 2004
• Clophill, April 2008
• Dunstable
• Eggington
• Eversholt (Church End)
• Flitton, October 2006
• Haynes (Church End)
• Henlow, January 2009
• Husborne Crawley (Church End), January 2009
• Ickwell, May 2005
• Maulden, January 2009
• Meppershall
• Millbrook
• Milton Bryan (South End), February 2006
• Northill, May 2004
• Old Warden and Old Warden Park, March 2006
• Potton
• Pulloxhill
• Ridgmont
• Sandy, December 2003
• Shefford
• Shillington, October 2006
• Silsoe, June 2004
• Southill
• Steppingley, May 2005
• Studham
• Tempsford
• Toddington
• Woburn, March 2008
• Wrest Park, June 2005

Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment:This sets out the Government’s planning policies on the conservation of the historic environment. 

PPS5: Practice Guide:This guide aims to assist in the implementation of PPS5 and the interpretation of its policies.

The core Design Guide sets out the policy context to the guidance and generic design guidance relevant to almost every type of development likely to be encountered in the area. It also provides advice on the character of the district and methods of appraising sites and their settings. It should therefore be consulted whatever the type of development being undertaken.