Archived press release

Date Published: 24/10/07

Aylesbury Vale District Council has approved a character appraisal and review of the conservation areas in Weston Turville, one of the district’s most historic villages. Conservation area character appraisals set out the importance of an ar...

Aylesbury Vale District Council has approved a character appraisal and review of the conservation areas in Weston Turville, one of the district’s most historic villages.

Conservation area character appraisals set out the importance of an area in terms of its character, architecture, history and landscape, and are important documents in helping to guide appropriate development within conservation areas.

As part of this assessment, the existing conservation areas in Weston Turville were reviewed in great detail and local residents and historians helped devise the amendments put forward.

The six existing conservation areas in Weston Turville were designated in 1991 and focus on the historical hamlets that once formed the core of the old village.

The approved amendments will create three conservation areas by joining up the existing smaller parts into larger, more cohesive areas. Some historic buildings, including Mill Farm and the Victorian properties on Main Street, have been added to the conservation areas.

Other areas covered in the boundary alterations include Barley Close Field, which contains a number of historic footpaths and the remains of a medieval moat, and The Glebe. The historic Glebe consists of three enclosed strips and furlongs which probably originate from the enclosure of medieval strip fields. Surviving enclosed strips and furlongs are very rare within Aylesbury Vale.

Conservation area designation recognises the special architectural or historic interest of an area, and influences the way in which local planning authorities deal with applications.

Although it does not necessarily prevent all future development, conservation area designation does restrict certain permitted development rights. Where new development is proposed, designation gives the local planning authority some control over the shape, size and scale of development.

Within conservation areas, special attention must be paid to the design of new buildings and extensions to existing buildings and new development should always aim to maintain the existing character of the area.

Permission must be obtained before buildings or structures are demolished. Trees are also offered extra protection by conservation area designation.

Councillor Sue Polhill, Cabinet Member for Planned Development, said: “The character appraisal identifies the importance of Weston Turville’s heritage, and the changes to the conservation area boundaries will bring improved quality in new development as well as protecting the best of what exists. This is a beautiful village whose character we need to preserve and it needs as much protection as we possibly can give. An important part of the review was to document design features which would help retain the local distinctiveness and character of the area.”

The Weston Turville review is the latest in a series of appraisals for selected conservation areas in Aylesbury Vale to help ensure that their special qualities are not harmed by inappropriate development.

Plans of the approved boundary changes for Weston Turville will be available to view at the council’s High Street offices in Aylesbury. They will also be available on the council’s website at a later date. For more information contact Emilia Hands on 01296 585244.