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Conservation Areas at Risk

National Survey Results

Having analysed census forms returned by more than 60% of the country's local authorities, English Heritage can reveal that:

  • 1 in 7 Conservation Areas is "at risk", meaning it has deteriorated over the last three years or is expected to do so over the next three years

Scope of the Survey

Our national census of Conservation Areas at Risk was carried out by market research company BDRC on our behalf.  270 out of 362 local authorities responded providing detailed returns for over 60% of England’s conservation areas by the end of 2008.  Since then a further 10% have been received, increasing coverage to around 70% of all of England’s conservation areas.
A conservation area has been defined as being at risk on the basis of the local authority’s own assessment of whether the area has deteriorated over the past three years, or is expected to do so over the next three years.  In addition, responses to more detailed questions have enabled English Heritage to identify key trends and threats to conservation areas.  The census will be re-opened again from June-December 2009 for those authorities which have not yet responded.

The Bad News

  • The main threats facing buildings in Conservation Areas are:
    • unsympathetic replacement doors and windows (83% of conservation areas)
    • poor highway works or paving (60%)
    • street clutter (45%)
    • loss or unsympathetic alterations to boundary walls, fences or hedges (43% of conservation areas)
    • loss of original features or materials (38%)
    • unsightly satellite dishes (38%)
    • the effects of traffic calming or traffic management (36%)
    • unsympathetic alterations to the fronts of buildings (34%)
    • non-historic roofing materials and loss of chimneys (34%)
    • unsympathetic new extensions or alterations (31%)
    • the impact of advertisements (23%)
    • problems affecting green spaces (18%)
  • Only 15% of Conservation Areas have actually seen an improvement since 2006
  • Only 13% of Conservation Areas have an Article 4 Direction which can prevent plastic windows and doors and other small-scale but damaging changes. These Directions can mean that permission is required for these changes which would otherwise not need consent.
  • Only 54% of Conservation Areas have an Appraisal, or one in the making. These identify what is special and needs protecting and help in the area’s management.
  • Only 36% of Conservation Areas had seen enforcement action within the last three years requiring unauthorised works to be rectified.
  • 45% of Conservation Areas have no formal community support
  • Urban Conservation Areas (which make up 23% of the total) and suburban ones (18% of the total) are twice as likely to be at risk as rural ones (52%).

The Good News

  • Past experience proves that a conservation are is much more likely to improve over the next three years if there is a Heritage Champion in the authority.
  • Conservation areas with Appraisals or Article 4 Directions are almost twice as likely to improve in the next three years as those without.
  • Conservation areas with community support are more than twice as likely to have improved ove the last three years as those without.
  • Since 1999 English Heritage has given over £65 million to improve conservation areas across the country.


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