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Conservation
advice
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The local authority provide advice and consultation
to local residents who are considering carrying out
any works on property within a conservation area. The
authority can advise on the need for permission,
their procedures, what should be submitted with an
application and the matters that will be taken into
account in deciding an application.
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Conservation
areas
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Councils have the power to designate as Conservation
Areas, areas of special architectural or historic
interest, the character or appearance of which it is
desirable to preserve or enhance. It is the
responsibility of the council to ensure that any new
development should be sympathetic to the special
architectural and aesthetic qualities of the area,
particularly in terms of scale, design, materials and
space between buildings. Councils have a statutory
obligation to compile a list containing particulars
of any area which has been designated as a
conservation area which is available for public
inspection.
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Countryside -
local access forum
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Section 94 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act
2000 requires all Highway and National Park
Authorities to establish a body known as a Local
Access Forum which is used to advise the local
authority and others on improving access to the
countryside. In Scotland the relevant legislation is
Section 25 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act
2000.
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Countryside
conservation
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The countryside conservation service provides advice
on the protection and enhancement both the local
rural environment and wildlife. Grants may also be
provided to develop areas of the countryside for
public use and education.
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Countryside
management projects
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Countryside Management Projects care for the
countryside through practical action. They rely on
the active involvement of local communities -
enabling people to play a vital part in looking after
their local environment. Countryside Management
focuses on nature conservation, access and informal
recreation issues.
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Forest
and woodland management
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Advice and information on trees, woodland and
tree-related issues to local organisations and the
public. Where woodland/forests are on council owned
land the local authority has a responsibility to
maintain them in a way which is beneficial to the
local environment and ensures public safety.
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Listed
buildings register
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A 'listed building' is a building, object or
structure that has been judged to be of national
historical or architectural interest. The council are
responsible for considering applications to demolish
a listed building or for any alteration or extension
which would affect its character as a building of
architectural or historic interest
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Planning -
environmental policies
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The local authority is committed to sustainable
development through its local agenda 21 process in
which it continuously improves its services, policies
and practices to contribute to a better quality of
life. In the UK Agenda 21 covers social progress,
environmental protection, use of natural resources
and economic growth.
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Ranger
services
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The countryside ranger service manages the
countryside sites. The rangers carry out practical
conservation work and environmental education in
addition to organising events and activities.
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Residential
study centres
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Educational Study Centres or Field Centres which
provide courses for schools and/or members of the
public on topics related to the local environment,
countryside and wildlife. Some Study Centres may
provide residential accommodation for the duration of
a course.
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Rural
development
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The authority should have a published plan for the
ongoing development of their rural communities. The
plan should take account of the needs of the local
community balanced with conservation, economic
regeneration and environmental considerations.
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Tree
management
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The local authority is responsible for the efficient
management of trees in their ownership within urban
and rural environments. This includes the application
of tree preservation orders and the protection of
other trees on council owned land.
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Tree
preservation orders
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Tree Preservation Orders are made by a Planning
Authority under Part V111 of the Town and Country
Planning Act 1990 in England and Wales or Section 160
of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997
in Scotland and within the procedures set out in the
Town and Country Planning (Trees) Regulations 1999
(England and Wales) or the Town and Country Planning
(Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation
Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 1975-84. They are an
effective means of protecting individual trees,
groups of trees or woodlands whose removal would have
significant impact on the public amenity of an area.
They form a legal constraint permanently attached to
the title of the land where the trees are located.
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