St Peters Conservation Area The Council has statutory powers to designate conservation areas. The definition of a conservation area is ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance’. St Peters Conservation Area was formally designated on 28 April 1988 following a period of public consultation. A conservation area appraisal for the Conservation Area was prepared and published in 2009. The appraisal has now been reviewed by the local community (led by the Caversham and District Residents Association) with assistance from the Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee, Historic England and Reading Borough Council. A copy of the new updated St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal can be found on the Council’s website along with other information (including this sheet). As a result of the review and update of the appraisal, the Council is considering the designation of extensions to the existing Conservation Area. It is proposed that the existing St Peters Conservation Area be extended by including Caversham Bridge, Bridge Street, and the area around the Church Road, Church Street and Bridge Road Junction. Other minor extensions are proposed in 2 places along Church Road. What is the purpose of designating a conservation area? The designation of a conservation area means that the character of that area is safeguarded by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The legislation controls the demolition of buildings as well as ensure a closer control over new development within the area. Sadly, many areas of special architectural or historic interest lose their character as a result of unsympathetic additions and alterations taking place that do not always need planning permission, and therefore remain out of the control of the Council. New developments and alterations in a conservation area have to take into account the area’s special architectural and visual qualities and are required to make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the area. As well as protecting the character of the area concerned, a conservation area is to help enhance the area to include improvements to the existing street scene and the enhancement of the quality of existing buildings. Trees within a conservation area are also given some protection as anyone proposing to lop, top, uproot or fell any tree in a conservation area must first give the council notification.
St Peters Conservation Area The Council has statutory powers to designate conservation areas. The definition of a conservation area is ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance’. St Peters Conservation Area was formally designated on 28 April 1988 following a period of public consultation. A conservation area appraisal for the Conservation Area was prepared and published in 2009. The appraisal has now been reviewed by the local community (led by the Caversham and District Residents Association) with assistance from the Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee, Historic England and Reading Borough Council. A copy of the new updated St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal can be found on the Council’s website along with other information (including this sheet). As a result of the review and update of the appraisal, the Council is considering the designation of extensions to the existing Conservation Area. It is proposed that the existing St Peters Conservation Area be extended by including Caversham Bridge, Bridge Street, and the area around the Church Road, Church Street and Bridge Road Junction. Other minor extensions are proposed in 2 places along Church Road. What is the purpose of designating a conservation area? The designation of a conservation area means that the character of that area is safeguarded by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The legislation controls the demolition of buildings as well as ensure a closer control over new development within the area. Sadly, many areas of special architectural or historic interest lose their character as a result of unsympathetic additions and alterations taking place that do not always need planning permission, and therefore remain out of the control of the Council. New developments and alterations in a conservation area have to take into account the area’s special architectural and visual qualities and are required to make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the area. As well as protecting the character of the area concerned, a conservation area is to help enhance the area to include improvements to the existing street scene and the enhancement of the quality of existing buildings. Trees within a conservation area are also given some protection as anyone proposing to lop, top, uproot or fell any tree in a conservation area must first give the council notification.