Conservation Areas

The nature and size of conservation areas in the Borough varies considerably. They are all of special character or appearance and have historic or architectural interest that is worthy of preservation and enhancement.

Conservation area designation provides the Local Planning Authority with additional statutory powers affecting, for example, the demolition of buildings, works to trees and publicity procedures for planning applications and also places restrictions on permitted development rights.

There are currently 13 conservation areas, which contain a significant proportion of the Borough’s historic buildings. These are listed below. An up-to-date map of each can be viewed by clicking on the relevant area.

There may be constraints to consider if you are intending to undertake works to your property and it lies within a Conservation Area. You can check whether your property lies within a Conservation Area or the Green Belt by using the Council's 'My Property' information service.

* Brentwood Town Centre Conservation Area comprises the amalgamation of the three conservation areas of Wilson's Corner, Chapel and Hart Street.  

Conservation Area Appraisals

Local authorities not only have a duty to designate conservation areas, they are required to formulate policies and devise schemes for the preservation and enhancement of their character and appearance, and to keep them under review.

To this end, the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan set out the Council's intention to carry out appraisals for all the Borough's conservation areas, to clearly assess and define their character, allowing informed planning decisions and identification of what should be preserved and enhanced.

To date eight of the Borough’s 13 conservation areas have completed appraisals, all undertaken by Essex County Council’s historic buildings and conservation team. These appraisals can be viewed below:

• Blackmore Conservation Area Appraisal
• Brentwood Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal
• Fryerning Conservation Area Appraisal
• Great Warley Conservation Area Appraisal
• Herongate Conservation Area Appraisal
• Highwood Hospital Conservation Area Appraisal
• Ingatestone High Street Conservation Area Appraisal
• Ingatestone Station Lane Conservation Area Appraisal

Boundary Changes

Since adoption of the Replacement Local Plan in 2005 changes have been made to several conservation area boundaries. These changes have been approved by the Council following consultation on the proposed amendments, which followed from recommendations made in the above appraisals.

Changes have been made to the boundaries of:

• Brentwood Town Centre, Ingatestone Station Lane and Ingatestone High Street Conservation Areas (13 January 2010);
• Great Warley and Herongate Conservation Areas (17 October 2012); and
• Fryerning Conservation Area (18 December 2013).

These revised boundaries are included in the above up-to-date maps. Reports summarising the boundary change consultations can be viewed below:

• Brentwood and Ingatestone: Conservation Area Boundary Change Consultation Report
• Great Warley and Herongate: Conservation Area Boundary Change Consultation Report
• Fryerning Conservation Area Boundary Change Consultation Report