Conservation areas

Conservation areas

Conservation areas are defined in law as 'an area of special architectural or historic interest the character of which it is desirable to preserve and enhance'.

This means if you own or live in a property in a conservation area, there will be tighter restrictions making it more likely you will need to apply for planning permission. Restrictions are not to prevent development, but to make sure that changes enhance the special architectural or historic qualities of an area and so protect its special character.

The Planning Portal provides a useful set of guidelines, which outline when you will need planning permission in addition to normal planning controls. You must include a heritage impact statement in a planning application that affects a listed building or a conservation area.

Use our interactive map to see if you're in one of the eight designated conservation areas in Rushmoor. You can also view the documents below.

Conservation area documents

We have produced a Conservation Area Overview Document that sets out the context in which conservation areas in Rushmoor have been designated. It includes the legislative and planning policy framework, as well as the geographic and historic setting of the area. The overview document should be be read alongside the individual character appraisals and management plans.You can find out more information about individual conservation area below:

• Aldershot Military
• Aldershot West
• Basingstoke Canal
• Cargate
• Farnborough Hill
• Manor Park
• St Michael's Abbey
• South Farnborough

Trees in conservation areas

If you want to cut down, or carry out any work to, a tree in a conservation area, you must tell us at least six weeks beforehand.

You can find out more on our protected trees page.

Conservation area reviews

The council is currently reviewing the conservation areas within the Borough and further public consultation will be carried out in 2022.