Have your say on the draft West Norwood Conservation Area Character Appraisal and proposed conservation area boundary changes

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 defines conservation areas as ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. The Act requires Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to revisit conservation area designation ‘from time to time’.

There are currently 62 conservation areas in the borough. Character appraisals describe what makes a conservation area of ‘special architectural or historic interest’. It is considered good practice to have a character appraisal for each conservation area. The Council has a rolling programme for the preparation of character appraisals and at present around half of Lambeth’s conservation areas have one. As part of the process of reviewing conservation area designations from time to time, the Council may revisit the boundaries of conservation areas when preparing character appraisals.

Currently the conservation area designation covers the whole of West Norwood Cemetery and only some areas of the historic development around its perimeter. The existing boundary does not adequately capture the historic centre of West Norwood. It is proposed to enlarge the conservation area. The areas identified for proposed inclusion by officers are considered to contribute to the special architectural or historic interest of those conservation areas.

You can view the proposals here.

Once consultation closes, all responses received will be given detailed officer consideration before any changes are made to conservation area boundaries.