Conservation area consultations July 2024

A conservation area character appraisal records the character and appearance of the conservation areas, as well as the buildings and key elements that make important contributions to the historical quality of the areas, identifying positive characteristics, historic background, and issues that need consideration for any changes. It assesses the condition of the area, pressures for change, and opportunities for enhancement, including identifying 'neutral or negative features' that could be improved. We review our conservation areas and create appraisals as part of our statutory duties to better understand what makes individual conservation areas special and then to actively manage their protection through our planning functions. This helps make sure they continue to be protected.

The consultation documents include potential amendments to the current conservation area boundaries for both of the conservation areas, which we manage under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. We have a duty to periodically review the extent of designation and this includes reviewing the boundary of a conservation area.

The consultation will run from Thursday 18 July to Thursday 15 August. Any responses received by this date will be taken into account to inform the final version of the appraisals. 

Please read the draft character appraisals which can be found here:

• Station Square draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal June 2024 [pdf] 3MB
• Hotham Park draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal February 2024 [pdf] 4MB

Hard copies of the draft appraisals can be found in the Bognor Regis Town Hall at the reception and the Bognor Regis Library. Please note that these copies cannot be removed and can only be viewed.

A response form has been prepared which be found here: Conservation areas consultation response form [docx] 49KB 

Alternatively, you can also share your views through our online survey.

Any comments, queries, and suggestions should be emailed to the conservation officer using the response form before 15 August 2024 at conservation.officer@arun.gov.uk or posted to:

Principal Conservation Officer
Arun District Council
Maltravers Road
Littlehampton
West Sussex
BN17 5LF

Following the closing date of the consultation we will consider all responses carefully and identify where greater clarity or changes might be needed, before the final version of the document is considered for adoption by the Planning Policy Committee. We hope to publish the final version of the appraisals this year.

A number of special controls and requirements apply in conservation areas to protect their character:

• There is greater control over demolition of buildings and structures than there is outside a conservation area; planning permission may be required to demolish any building and such permission may or may not be granted.
• New buildings, extensions and alterations must preserve or enhance the appearance of the Conservation Area and greater attention will be given to the use of traditional natural materials.
• If you want to carry out works to a tree you must notify the council's trees officer at least six weeks before the work is due to take place.
• Permitted development, including external alterations to houses in conservation areas is more restrictive than outside a conservation area.

Affect on planning applications for properties affected by the proposed boundary changes

If planning permission has already been approved, or you have submitted an application that has not yet been determined this proposed boundary alteration will not affect you: the decision will be based on the current situation.

If you submit a planning application after the formal adoption of the revised appraisals your proposals will be assessed against these new documents. 

Property rights and values within conservation areas

If your property falls within a conservation area, you may find that some changes require planning permission or other consent from the council whereas they did not before (for example works to trees will require prior notification to the council). Also, when you make a planning application, consideration will need to be given to the impact on the conservation area. The fact that your property falls within a conservation area will also be registered as a land charge.

Research by Historic England and The London School of Economics has indicated that properties within conservation areas have higher values and appreciate more over time, because people value these areas for their distinctiveness and character. For further information see the Historic England Guidance.