What is a Conservation Area? 
How is a Conservation Area Designated? 
Where are the Conservation Areas in Derbyshire Dales District?
What does Conservation Area designation mean in relation to Planning Permission? 
What is an Article 4 Direction? 
What Grants area available in Conservation Areas?

What is a Conservation Area?

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'. Following concerns that the special qualities of areas were being lost by post-war development, the 1967 Civic Amenities Act introduced the concept of a 'Conservation Area'. Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 gives local authorities the power to designate a Conservation Area within their local planning area.

How is a Conservation Area Designated?

Conservation Areas are designated in recognition of the importance of both the buildings, (individual and groups) along with the relationship of the spaces, within a specific area. History, architecture, landscape, layout of public and private spaces, parks and gardens, greens, trees, historic street furniture and historic street paving can all be recognised as important within the framework of a Conservation Area. In order to justify why an area is considered special Central Government, via their advisory body, English Heritage, has produced a policy statement which defines the comprehensive criteria that should be used for the assessment of new and existing Conservation Areas. This includes reference to the origins and development of the settlement; the influence of former uses; the archaeological significance; the architecture and history of the buildings; the contribution of unlisted buildings; the character and relationship of the open spaces; the building materials, textures and colours; local details; green spaces and the setting within the wider environment and neutral and negative factors. This document is called 'Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals' 2006 and can be found on the Englsih Hertiage Website under 'free publications'. To visit the English Hertiage Webpage please use this link: English Heritage Website.

The District Council has a programme for the completion of Character Appraisals for the 32 Conservation Areas in the District. These Appraisals are a useful 'tool' for identifying important qualities within an area that should be preserved or enhanced, and can be used by residents, potential developers and the Council, who can use the Appraisal to guide development and design in a particular area.

Where are the Conservation Areas in Derbyshire Dales District?

Within those parts of the Derbyshire Dales that lie outside the Peak District National Park, there are 32 Conservation Areas, some of which were designated as early as 1968. The following list indicates the area and the date of designation.

To view a PDF map of any of the Conservation Area boundaries please click on the Conservation Area name in the table below.

Conservation Areas

Conservation Area	Designation Date	Extension / Amendment	Conservation Area Appraisal	Boundary amendments from CAA Approved	Article 4 Direction
Ashbourne	01.11.1968	30.03.1972	May 2008	Included Areas - May 2008	None
Bolehill	09.01.1976	-	No	-	None
Bonsall	03.03.1972	09.04.1991 (Part PPJPB)	Pending 2008	-	None
Brailsford	08.07.1996	-	Limited Information	-	None
Brassington	12.08.1971	-	January 2008	Included and Excluded Areas - Jan 2008	None
Callow Hall	10.03.1981	-	None	-	None
Carsington & Hopton	13.08.1971	-	Pending 2008	-	None
Castle Top / Lea Bridge / High Peak Junction	06.11.1990	11.12.2006	Dec 2006	Included Areas - Dec 2006	None
Cromford	22.01.1971	1978, 1990, 2006, 20.09.2007	Dec 2006	Included and Excluded Areas - Sept 2007	None
Gorseybank	09.01.1976	-	Limited Information	-	None
Hognaston	09.10.1979	-	No	-	None
Hulland	26.02.1991	-	No	-	None
Kirk Ireton	13.08.1971	10.11.1992	No	-	None
Kniveton	10.03.1998	-	Limited Information	-	None
Lumsdale	01.04.1980	11.1995	Limited Information	-	None
Mapleton	10.02.1981	-	No	-	None
Matlock Bank	05.08.1986	12.2007	Dec 2007	Included and Excluded Areas - Dec 2007	None
Matlock Bath	08.09.1972	09.1978	July 2006	None Recommended	Yes - Main Parades 1991 (Reviewed and revised June 07, Approved by Secutary of State Jan 2008)
Matlock Bridge (inc Crown Square)	03.10.1989	07.2008	Jan 2003 - Original CA, July 2008 - Extended CA	Included Areas July 2008	Yes - Commercial area and some residential properties 2007, within originalCA boundary (2003)
Matlock Dale	08.09.1972	09.1978	No	-	None
Old Matlock	07.10.1980	-	Proposed 2008		None
Middleton	05.08.1980	-	Pending 2008		None
Norbury	21.08.1970	-	No		None
Osmaston	01.06.1972	-	Limited Information	-	Yes - Coronation Cottages 1991
Riber	25.06.1971	-	Limited Information		None
Rocester (only a small part)	25.06.1970	-	No		None
Shirley	13.10.1981	-	Proposed 2008		None
Snelston	13.08.1971	-	No		None
Somersal Herbert	11.12.1979	-	No		None
Stanton Lees (Part in PDNPA)	19.03.1996	-	No		None
Sudbury	21.02.1969	12.2005	Dec 2005	Included and Excluded Areas - Dec 2005	None
Wirksworth	21.08.1970	09.01.1976	Limited Information 2001		Yes - Most of town in 1992. DRAFT REVIEW PENDING 2008

For information on the Conservation Character Appraisals please visit our Conservation Area Character Appraisal webpage.

What does Conservation Area Designation mean in relation to Planning Permission?

Conservation area designation introduces some extra controls to protect the special qualities of the area. This means that planning permission may be required for certain work, that outside of a Conservation Area would normally be classed as 'permitted development'. Once an area is designated a Conservation Area, the Council has a duty to advertise proposals that may affect it, by site notice and in the local press, so that public opinion can be obtained. Applications for 'outline' planning permission may often not be appropriate as full information as to the impact of a proposal may be required in order to properly assess the scheme.

For further information on Conservation Area Designation please click on the following link:- Conservation Area Designation (PDF)

What is an Article 4 Direction?

The Local Planning Authority can introduce Article 4 Directions where it considers that the importance of the area warrants even more stringent controls. This type of Direction introduces further controls which can apply to a wide variety of issues, such as control over replacement windows and doors, the introduction of porches, the building of walls, retention of architectural detail and painting to name a few. In Derbyshire Dales District there is an Article 4 Direction on many properties within the Wirksworth Conservation Area, on properties within the Matlock Bridge Conservation Area and there is also an Article 4 Direction in relation to properties in Matlock Bath, predominantly along North and South Parades. There is also a specific Article 4 Direction on a property within the Osmaston Conservation Area. If you wish to find out whether your property is covered by an Article 4 Direction please contact the Planning Services Section.

To view further details on the Article 4 Directions please use this link:- Article 4 Directions.

What Grants area available in Conservation Areas?

The District Council operates three grant schemes relating to historic buildings, conservation areas and a further scheme for historic commercial property in Cromford in conjunction with the Derbyshire County Council.

Historic Buildings Grant & Conservation Area Enhancement Grant (Derbyshire Dales District Council)
Grant aid is available for permanent, external, repairs to historic buildings. Applications are prioritised as follows:

• Listed Buildings included on the 'Buildings at Risk' Register
• Listed Buildings (all grades)
• Historic, non-listed, buildings in Conservation Areas covered by an Article 4 Direction
• Historic, non-listed, buildings that are prominent within Conservation Areas

Historic Buildings & Conservation Area Enhancement Grant Application Form (PDF) 

Historic Buildings & Conservation Area Enhancement Grant Guidance Notes (PDF)