Watford Borough Council is again asking for feedback from residents on the town’s Conservation Areas...
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Watford Borough Council is again asking for feedback from residents on the town’s Conservation Areas, with responses now wanted on a draft action plan that will help ensure the unique special interest of these areas continues to be protected.
Conservation areas exist to protect the historic and architectural character of places and they are subject to extra planning controls to ensure this. There are around 10,000 conservation areas in England, with 10 of them within the Borough. The areas include: Civic Core, Estcourt, Grove Mill Lane, High Street and King Street, Macdonell Gardens, Nascot, Oxhey, St Mary's, The Square and Watford Heath.
Following the informal engagement last year, where residents and key groups were asked to share their views and ideas, a draft action plan has now been created for the town’s Conservation Areas for people to comment on at watfordheritage.commonplace.is from 2 February to 17 March. The proposed actions include ideas such as:
- Improved access to information – including topics such Article 4 Directions, the planning process and decision making, how to contact council on planning-related conservation matters, how fees are set, pre-application and how the enforcement process works.
- Providing planning guidance - including topics such as what may and may not need planning permission, household maintenance, energy efficiency and renewable energy installations such as solar panels and EV charging points.
- General enhancements to these areas - to identify suitable sites within conservation areas for the planting of new street trees and review how we manage the public spaces in conservation areas to ensure an appropriate and consistent approach.
- Area specific enhancements – such as enhancing the heritage assets and monuments within St Mary's Churchyard, reducing traffic speeds and improving the canal bridge on Grove Mill Lane, supporting the restoration of Little Cassiobury, ensuring the Victoria Passage boundary wall is maintained properly and working with Hertfordshire County Council on “no wait” markings around the green at Watford Heath.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Conservation areas are not just a physical space, they are a reflection of our community's values and history. It's crucial that we involve local residents in decision-making and give them a say in how these precious places are safeguarded.
“We must conserve and enhance the heritage of the town. Upon adoption, the council will deliver the Action Plan so that places of special architectural or historic interest are protected for future generations.”
Residents can also attending meetings at various venues across Watford, by booking at watford-conservation-areas.eventbrite.co.uk. This includes:
- Civic Core and Nascot conservation areas - Annex (to the rear of the Town Hall and Colosseum, on Peace Prospect) at 7pm on Tuesday 21 February.
- Grove Mill Lane and MacDonnell Gardens conservation areas - Cheslyn House (Nascot Wood Road) at 7pm on Thursday 23 February.
- Drop-in sessions regarding Conservation Areas Management Plan overall - Urban Room, 15-17 Queen's Rd, Watford WD17 2LH at 5pm on Tuesday 28 February.
- Estcourt, St Mary's and High Street/King Street conservation areas - Chamber Hub (15-17 Queen's Road) at 7pm on Tuesday 28 February.
- Oxhey and Watford Heath conservation areas - Bushey & Oxhey Methodist Church (77 Chalk Hill) at 7pm on Monday 6 March.
- The Square conservation area - Cornerstone Church (119a Vicarage Road) at 7pm on Wednesday 8 March.
