Get involved in the review of local Conservation Areas

Posted on: Friday, February 25, 2022

Residents are being invited to have their say on a review of local Conservation Areas in Newark and Southwell.

Newark and Sherwood District Council is currently undertaking reviews to ensure the designated areas are still relevant and meaningful. 

Residents are invited to public consultation events with the District Council’s conservation team to give their opinion on what may need to be considered in the review. The public will be able to discuss the review with the team, read material the team will have on hand about the area, and give feedback on what they think is important about the area or what challenges they believe it may face.

The public consultation events for the review of the boundary of Newark Conservation Area, where members of the conservation team will be available to discuss the review and get feedback from residents, will take place on:

  • Wednesday 9 March between 6pm and 8pm at Newark Library
  • Saturday 12 March between 9am and 12pm at Newark Market Place

New areas being considered for inclusion include: College Quarter (parts of Beacon Hill Road, Friary Road and Wellington Road); Northgate Station area (parts of Appleton Gate, George Street, Lovers Lane and Warburton Street); Magnus School area (Hatton Gardens, Winchilsea Avenue, Milner Street and Earp Avenue); Crown Street; and the potential removal of parts of Northgate (including the retail park and marina).

Residents can also give their views on Newark Conservation Area and Boundary Review by filling in an online questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ToeLPbLf0EikADduo_kXSB7HmYIfGQJAiZ4i0dSE8_ZUQ0s5UTlGWTZUTDJSRjlaMFk2WUpESTZXRS4u

The conservation team will also be in Southwell for a public consultation on Southwell Conservation Area and Boundary Review:

  • Monday 28 February between 6pm and 8pm at Southwell Library

Residents can also give their views on the Southwell Conservation Area and Boundary Review by filling in this questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ToeLPbLf0EikADduo_kXSH4n0nsTCktJvymKkiBYfWBUQzhYNEVYV0k4TDNDQlVLSk9HTDNDVDQzQy4u&qrcode=true

The deadline for submitting comments to both Conservation Area reviews is 25 March 2022.

Conservation areas are designated when a local planning authority identifies an area of special architectural or historic interest, and it is deemed deserving of careful management that is required to protect its character.

These designations offer a positive way to manage change whilst still ensuring the conservation and enhancement of historic areas in the local community. Newark and Sherwood District Council has designated 47 conservation areas.

Up-to-date reviews of these conservation areas are needed to evaluate if any changes need to be made to the designated boundary areas or, in exceptional circumstances, if the conservation area needs to be reconsidered as a whole. Over time piecemeal changes or poorly designed development could have affected the area, so reviews must be undertaken to ensure the conservation is still meaningful and the need for it is clear to owners, businesses and residents.

Councillor Keith Girling, Deputy Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Consultations such as these can open up brilliant discussions that give the public a chance to find out more about the Conservation Areas in Southwell and Newark from our conservation team, while also giving the opportunity to voice their views providing the team with vital feedback that can be taken into consideration when conducting the review.

"I encourage anyone interested in these conservation areas to take the opportunity to get involved in the public consultation events. These designations are important when managing change around our District as it allows us to navigate through in a way that still allows the protection and conservation that our historic areas need.”

If you would like to find out more information about conservation areas visit the District Council website: Conservation areas | Newark & Sherwood District Council (newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk)