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Local Planning Guidance Note No 4 - Conservation Areas

This is one of a series of local planning guidance notes which amongst other things amplifies local planning proposals with the objective of improving design standards in Conservation Areas.

These guidelines cannot cover all areas and issues and applicants and agents are advised, wherever the circumstances are unusual, to discuss their proposals with a planning officer prior to the formal submission of an application.

Since 1968 Local Authorities have been able to designate parts of their administrative areas as Conservation Areas. The legislation states that such an area can be designated because of its “special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance”.

There is no standard specification for Conservation Areas. The special interest of an area can derive from a combination of characteristics, such as a historic street pattern and traditional or notable building styles. Important to all Conservation Areas is the visual “quality of place” they possess. This aspect principally results from the way in which the buildings and spaces relate to each other, together with the inherent quality of the buildings and other structures. Boundaries of existing areas are subject to periodic review, using with consistent criteria and consideration given to the designation of new areas.

With care and attention the character of our Conservation Areas can be maintained, whilst remaining viable places in which to live or work.

There are currently 21 designated Conservation Areas in the County Borough:

Bangor is y Coed, Bersham, Chirk, Erbistock, Gresford, Hanmer, Holt, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Marchwiel, Marford, Minera, Overton, Penycae, Ruabon, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Worthenbury, Wrexham Town Centre, Wrexham Fairy Road, Wrexham Grosvenor Road, Wrexham Salisbury Road, Wrexham Hightown Barracks.