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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Planning guidance for conservation areas

21/12/2004

New planning guidance for local authorities, developers, community organisations and property owners on the management of conservation areas was published today.

Planning Advice Note 71 (PAN 71) contains advice on how to manage change in conservation areas, and sets out a checklist for appraising them.

It also identifies sources of funding available to protect the historic environment.

Deputy Communities Minister Johann Lamont said:

"There are over 600 conservation areas in Scotland, which play a vital role in the protection and enhancement of our historic areas.

"But the protection of an area does not end with conservation area status. A commitment to action from all is required to safeguard the character and appearance of a historic area.

"It is therefore important that local authorities and other groups who have an interest in conservation areas know what we expect of them and co-operate in the best interests of the community."

Conservation areas are areas of special architectural or historic interest which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.

Councils should have strategies in place to ensure that any new development within conservation areas will respect or enhance their diverse character.

PAN 71 complements planning policy contained in NPPG18: Planning and the Historic Environment, and Designing Places, the first policy statement on urban design in Scotland.

Page updated: Tuesday, December 21, 2004