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Conservation areas

Following the first listed building designations in the 1960's it was recognised that whole areas of a village, town or city may also need special protection. Whilst an area may not contain any particular buildings of architectural merit or historical importance they could have a special character as a whole and be part of the cherished local scene. Legislation was introduced in 1967, allowing the designation of a special area, known as a conservation area.

A conservation area is an area which is designated as an area of special architectural or historic interest the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. There are now more that 8,000 areas in England of which 14 are in Durham (listed at the bottom of the page). Listed building statute protects specific buildings where as conservation area designation allows the Council to preserve a particular area or part of a settlement. Controls are based used to conserve the townscape and as such seek to control changes to the exterior of buildings, reduce householder permitted development, control the demolition of unlisted buildings, protect trees and limit certain advertisements in the area. In addition there is a positive duty imposed on the Council to ensure the preservation and enhancement of the area. It is best practice to define each area's special interest through Conservation Area Appraisals.

Durham City Centre was designated as a Conservation Area on the 9th of August 1968 with its boundary extended on the 25th of November 1980. Durham City Centre Conservation Area boundary is shown below:

Within the Conservation Area there are 569 Listed Buildings, 46 Grade I, 498 Grade II, 24 Grade I* and 13 Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

The reason for the early designation was the outstanding historic character of the central area of the City of Durham, recognised as one of the principle historic cities in Britain. Durham's Cathedral and Castle have been acclaimed as one of the greatest achievements of the Romanesque style in Europe and are a World Heritage Site. They stand on top of the peninsula formed by a natural loop in the River Wear and set within a natural bowl containing pre 1900 built up area of the town. The Conservation Area encompassed most of this 'bowl' area and incorporated important green wedges of countryside and other open spaces. In addition, most of the City's 377 buildings of architectural and historic interest were situated within the area; it contained the original medieval street framework and finally the basic supporting landscape features, including the River Banks, Leazes Spur and Pelaw Woods lay within this boundary. The 1980 extension recognised the value of larger areas abutting the City Centre, which in themselves possess separate identities worthy of conservation. These areas cover urban development as well as large expanses of open landscape that come right into the City Centre and contribute to its interest and diversity.

The area surrounds the estate village church and castle as well as the large parkland and farmland beyond including many distinctive estate buildings. The area includes St Brandon's Church, Brancepeth Castle, Stockerly Gill Wood, Scripton Lodge and East Park Cottages and was designated on the 28th April 1981.

Sunderland Bridge is one of Durham's "street-green" villages lying above the flood plain of the River Wear. To the north lies the eighteenth century Croxdale Hall set in mature woodland. The Conservation Area includes Croxdale Wood, Low Butterby and Low Haugh. Designated on the 2nd of March 1976.

Brandon Village is another of the "street green" villages in County Durham. The green in earlier times served as a communal grazing area for the farms which bordered it. Designated on the 2nd of March 1976.

One of the green villages of County Durham lying within the Magnesium and Limestone Belt, this attractive material being used in many of the buildings which border Shadforth Green and is registered as a site of Special Scientific Interest. Designated on 30th of November 1976.

One of the attractive green villages within the City of Durham area. The trees on the village green gives setting to18th and 19th century houses and cottages. The area also includes Shincliffe High Street, Willowtree Avenue, Shincliffe Bridge and St Mary's Close. Designated on 30th of November 1976.

Hett is one of the broad green villages typical of County Durham and takes its name from the Anglo Saxon 'hat' meaning a marked hill. The area includes High Grange Farm, Grove Farm, South Green and the Village Green. Designated on lst of February 1977.

The Conservation Area comprises of terraces of early 20th century mining houses of distinctive character with the adjacent Infant and Nursery School and public houses included. The area also includes Clarence Street, Steavenson Street and Wylam Street and was designated on the 4th of September 1979.

Sherburn is another of the green villages of County Durham, orientated east/west in common with most villages of this plan. A number of historic houses and farms line the central green. The area includes George Street, Hallgarth Street, Front Street, Chapel Court and St Mary's Church. Designated on 4th of September 1979.

Pittington Hallgarth is a small group of buildings including the historic St Lawrence Church, the Manor House and the site of the former Prior of Durham's residence. The whole of which is set amidst a group of mature trees. The area also includes Hallgarth Manor Hotel. Designated on 3rd of February 1981.

The village developed around the large complex of Sherburn Hospital, an imposing group of buildings of medieval, 18th and 19th century date set amongst mature trees and gardens. The area also includes part of Shincliffe Lane and Sherburn House Bridge. Designated on 3rd of February 1981.

The are comprises of the Burn Hall estate an 18th and 19th century park as well as adjoining agricultural land and historic farms. The area also includes North Wood, Lower Burn Hall and Browney Bridge. Designated on 28th of April 1981.

The area comprises of two groups of buildings Holywell Hall and Holywell Farm and includes 17th and 19th century structures surrounded by attractive parkland and farmland. Designated on 28th of April 1981.

Old Cassop is a medieval green village situated on the northern slope of the Magnesium Limestone escarpment. It contains several buildings of vernacular interest and has a strong rural character. The area includes Cassop Farm, Hillcroft and Pilmore Farm. Designated on 30th of June 1981.